FC Goa vs Mumbai City Live | ISL 2024-25

4:30 PM: Hello everyone and welcome to Khel Now’s LIVE COVERAGE of the FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC match in the ISL 2024-25. The kick-off is just 30 minutes away! I am your host Shivam and will keep you company through what promises to be a fascinating evening of football. Please wait for 30 Seconds for the Live blog to load.

ISL 2024-25: FC Goa vs Mumbai City – Build-up

Mumbai City FC have started the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season in the worst possible manner. The Islanders have drawn two of the three games they have played and lost the other. FC Goa’s season has not been any rosier as they have only one win from four games. The two teams will now clash in the Western Derby on matchday five of the season at the Fatorda Stadium on Saturday.

Although the results of their previous games say that the two teams have had similar kind of start, the underlying numbers suggest otherwise. The two teams have different problems and Mumbai City’s are perhaps more straightforward. They have conceded the lowest xG so far (1.2), but the goals scored against them show a pattern. The Islanders haven’t been able to deal with the set-piece situations.

As for the Gaurs, they have conceded the third-most xG (6.1) so far in the league and much of it owes to the three penalties they have given away in just four games.

As for the attacking numbers, the output of the two teams is consistent with their performance. FC Goa have the third-highest xG created (5.6) while Mumbai have struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities and thus lie at the bottom of the xG created list (3.3 xG created so far).

The Stakes

FC Goa

The Gaurs will take heart from the fact that Mumbai have struggled to deal with the set-pieces and they might look to exploit that weakness of the Islanders. The Islanders have two very able wingers who look to put crosses and cutbacks in for their teammates.

While Goa are one of the four best-pressing sides in the attacking third (3.5 possessions won in the final third per game), they have caught far too many times in their final third. They have the second-lowest interceptions (6.8), and a team cannot defend two wingers great at crossing if they don’t intercept much. Goa will have to be proactive in their defensive third.

A win here for the Gaurs and points dropped by Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby would see Goa sneak into the top four of the table.

Mumbai City FC

Of the two teams, the Islanders are the more desperate ones for a win. Winless so far in the league, FC Goa could be a tough nut to crack, especially because of how poor their final third game has been. Goa like to have possession of the ball and have the second-highest average possession (58.5%) so far in the league. Mumbai are the second-best pressing side (3.7 possessions won in the final third per game). 

That should be the mantra of the Islanders when they look to create opportunities, relentlessly pressing in the attacking third. That, and be careful while defending the set-pieces. It seems that simple.

Borja Herrera is a little bit of Edu Bedia and a lot of Brandon Fernandes for FC Goa now. While he may be the league’s top-scorer, that is not why he would be the key to FC Goa doing well against the Islanders. Goa’s game goes through the Spaniard and he is as much involved in the build-up as he is in the final third. He has played in a double pivot and as an attacking midfielder for the Gaurs.

At his best, Brandon Fernandes plays like the best footballer in the country. He can play on the left and from the middle in the attack. He can contribute from the middle of the park as well. The former FC Goa winger will thus be key for Mumbai to unlock the Gaurs’ defence.

And while the Islanders’ manager keeps trying different combinations in his attack, shuffling between the likes of Vikram Pratap Singh, Bipin Singh, PN Noufal, and him, his versatility will mean he can help his team provide many options.

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