FC Goa eye top spot with a win over Jamshedpur FC in top of the table clash

Red Miners completed league double over Manolo Marquez’s FC Goa last season

The Super Cup 2024-25 finalists FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC are all set to lock horns with each other at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in the Steel City of Jamshedpur for the Matchweek 11 fixture of the Indian Super League.

It was nothing less than a nightmare for Manolo Marquez last season as Khalid Jamil created history by becoming the first coach to complete a league double against the former Las Palmas gaffer.

However, it was Manolo who had the last laugh after beating JFC 3-0 in the Super Cup Finals.

FC Goa have already made it to Asia for two consecutive seasons after winning back-to-back Super Cup titles. But the Gaurs will be keen to directly qualify for ACL 2 by winning the ISL. They had a tough start to the season but are back in the title race after winning their last three games.

Home team Jamshedpur FC are finally back to winning ways and still have a chance to repeat the 2021-22 heroics.

After a series of winless runs, Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur thrashed Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in the last game to clinch all three points and maintain their unbeaten record at home.

The Stakes

Jamshedpur FC

Scoring goals first has been a major concern for the Red Miners, but Owen Coyle’s side did learn from their past mistakes and bounced back strongly against the Marina Machans. From being defensively impregnable to failing to keep clean sheets, conceding goals early saw Jamshedpur drop a lot of points.

To make things even worse for the defensive unit, Stephen Eze, who has been suspended for three games, will also miss the next clash. But the Red Miners will be at home, and even stalwarts like Mohun Bagan SG and Mumbai City FC have failed to breach the Furnace.

Tactically, former Burnley gaffer Owen Coyle is known for the direct style of football with high intensity and relying on counter pressing systems. With Madih Talal back in the squad and Messi getting back to scoring form, they would be leaving no stone unturned to win the next game against the Gaurs.

FC Goa

This fixture has been historically dominated by the Gaurs, who have won over 50% of the matches in this fixture. These two sides last locked horns in the Super Cup and in both the clashes, the Gaurs got the better of the Red Miners, despite succumbing to two defeats last season.

When it comes to conceding the fewest goals per match, Goa tops the chart after clocking 0.6 goals conceded per game. Surprisingly, Goa, which was known for its attack have kept the most clean sheets and are one of the best teams defensively.

Manolo Marquez has been doing commendable work with the Gaurs. Despite the departure of some of their best foreign players like Siverio, Iker and Borja Herrera, they are still one of the top contenders to win the ISL Shield with just two foreign players.

Team News

There are no injury concerns in the FC Goa camp, and Manolo will have a fully fit and available side to pick his best eleven.

Madih Talal’s fitness will still be a concern for Jamshedpur FC in the upcoming game. Eze will be out after picking a red in the last game.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 22

Jamshedpur FC wins – 08

FC Goa wins – 10

Draws – 04

Predicted Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-2-3-1) 

Albino Gomes (GK); Nikhil Barla, Pratik Chaudhari, Lazar Cirkovic, Mark Zo; Rei Tachikawa, Pronay Halder, Vincy, Nikola Stojanovic, Sanan; Messi B

FC Goa (5-4-1)

Tiwari (GK); Sandesh Jhinghan, Pol Moreno, Boris Singh, Udanta Singh, Aakash Sangwan; Brison, Ayush, Raynier Fernandes, Dezan Drazic; Nemil

Players to Watchout

Sarthak Golui (Jamshedpur FC)

One of the most experienced defenders in the Indian Super League, Sarthak Golui, has previously plied his trade with FC Pune City, Mumbai City, East Bengal and Inter Kashi before making a move to Jamshedpur FC. His flexibility to switch flanks makes him a great asset and impressed a lot in his first ISL start for JFC.

He even scored a goal against Mumbai after coming on as a substitute to salvage a point against the Islanders. His excellent linking up with Rosenberg Gabriel in the last game saw Jamshedpur creating a lot of chances from the right flank against Chennaiyin.

He will be tasked with the responsibility of neutralising the threat from Drazic, who has been exceptionally brilliant for the Gaurs so far. He also contributes effectively during set pieces and will be a key player to watch out for JFC.

Pol Moreno (FC Goa)

The veteran Spanish defender has played for Racing Santander in the Copa Del Rey and La Liga 2 before making a move to India with FC Goa. He has been a reliable presence in the defence for Goa and played a crucial role in keeping clean sheets against top teams like Mumbai City FC.

He will be looking forward to keeping Raphael Messi Bouli and Madih Talal at bay in the next game. He has started in every single game for the Gaurs so far and even scored two goals. Unlike other defenders, Moreno is very disciplined and has been booked only once.

Jamshedpur are known for high bursts of energy in the last quarter and Moreno will face a big test to ensure that the Red Miners do not do any late damage to the Gaurs.

Did you know

• Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur completed a league double over Goa last season
• FC Goa won the last two games in this fixture, including 3-0 win in the Super Cup Finals
• Jamshedpur FC are still unbeaten at home this season

Telecast Details

The Indian Super League 2025-26 match between Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa will take place at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Friday (1 May)

It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be broadcast live on Sony Network for TV and stream on the FanCode app.

Outside India, in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 matches will be live-streamed on the FanCode app.

Begin Watch is the official broadcast partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

In all other remaining countries, live streaming will be available on the FanCode YouTube channel.

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