Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa lineups, team news, prediction & preview

The Blues will be looking for their sixth win of the season against the Gaurs.

The Indian Super League (ISL) standings leader Bengaluru FC will be looking to continue their winning run against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium in match week 7. While the Blues have got off to a near-perfect start, the Gaurs have struggled to win games this. 

Bengaluru FC are entering this match riding high after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters, while FC Goa were restricted to a 2-2 draw by Chennaiyin FC in matchweek 6. The Blues head coach Gerard Zaragoza will be looking forward to extending his side’s dominant start and will be favorites on recent form to claim all three points. 

The Stakes

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC’s recent form has been attributed to a deadly combination of exciting attacking football and defensive solidity this season. In 6 games this season, the Blues have scored 11 goals and only conceded 1 goal this season. Players like Edgar Mendez, Sunil Chhetri, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz have been in stellar form and led the way through their leadership and experience in adverse situations. 

A win for Bengaluru would further solidify their title ambitions this season. Head coach Gerard Zaragoza will be looking forward to facing an opponent, the Blues have had good memories playing. 

FC Goa

Meanwhile, FC Goa comes into the match fresh off a disappointing 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. The Gaurs have only accumulated 6 points in 6 games this season under head coach Manolo Marquez. The game against Bengaluru FC might be coming at the worst possible time for the Gaurs and Marquez, who seem to be stuck in a rut this season. 

For Goa, a victory would not only boost their points tally but also send a clear message to their adoring fans. With Marquez going head-to-head against his fellow Spaniard Zaragoza, the ISL fans can expect an intense encounter between the two sides.

Injury and Team News

The Gaurs will continue to be without Spanish midfielder Borja Herrera and Indian midfielder Rowlin Borges, both players being out with minor injuries, and will be game-time decisions. Bengaluru FC are expected to field a fully fit XI.

Head-to-Head 

Matches Played– 15

FC Goa Wins– 4

Bengaluru FC Wins– 7

Draws– 4

ALSO READ: ISL 2024-25: Full fixtures, schedule, results, standings & more

Predicted Lineups 

Bengaluru FC (4-4-2)

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK); Nikhil Poojary, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh; Vinith Venkatesh, Alberto Noguera, Pedro Capo, Suresh Singh Wangjam; Edgar Mendez, Sunil Chhetri

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Laxmikant Kattimani; Udanta Singh, Jay Gupta, Odei Onaindia, Aakash Sangwan; Carl McHugh, Ayush Chettri; Boris Singh, Armando Sadiku, Brison Fernandes; Dejan Drazic

Players to watch 

Edgar Mendez (Bengaluru FC)

Mendez is in red-hot form and is coming on the back of an inspired performance as a substitute against Kerala Blasters FC.

The Spaniard came off the bench in the 63rd minute and scored two crucial goals in a hostile atmosphere at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Capitalizing on the defensive lapses in Kerala’s defense, Mendez showcased his awareness and alertness in front of goal. 

The Gaurs will be looking to keep the Spaniard in check if they are wanting to capture all three points. Coach Manolo Marquez and his coaching staff will have to shore up the team’s defense as they hope to reignite their season.

Laxmikant Kattimani (FC Goa)

Despite conceding two goals against Chennaiyin FC, Kattimani played a crucial role in getting a point for FC Goa. The Sancoale native has been the team’s undisputed starting goalkeeper and made crucial saves in a tough season. The 35-year-old will be once again under immense pressure against Bengaluru FC. 

The potent Blues’ attack will bring a whole different challenge and Kattimani will be the difference for FC Goa getting something out of this game.

Did You Know?

• Bengaluru FC haven’t lost in their 6 games. The Blues have won once and drew once in their two away games this season. 
• Bengaluru FC scores 1.2 goals in a match against FC Goa while FC Goa scores 0.8 goals in a match against Bengaluru FC (on average).
• Bengaluru FC have lost just one of their last five outings against FC Goa in all competitions.

Telecast 

The match between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will take place at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa on Saturday, 2nd November 2024. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and be available for streaming on Jio Cinema. International viewers can also watch the match on the OneFootball app.

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