East Bengal Vs FC Goa Preview: Can Gaurs close down the gap to top?

The Red and Gold Brigade are in a good momentum after the win against Odisha FC last week.

After their first win of the season against Odisha, SC East Bengal are all set to face mighty FC Goa in the latter’s first encounter of 2021. With an overhaul in their squad and the addition of striker Bright Enobakhare in the winter window, the Indian Super League debutants look to be in a better shape as they are hopeful of another better performance against the Gaurs.

As Igor Angulo continues to be the savior with his injury-time Goals, FC Goa seem to have found the perfect replacement for Ferran Corominas. Thus, with their target men in form, the last season’s league leaders will have a chance to cement their position in the top four on Wednesday.

The Stakes

SC East Bengal are desperate to prove their trade in the league as they seem to be in the right shape after a seven-match winless run. Moreover, the recent additions to the team come as an added boost for Fowler to field a strong XI. Though a win from this match will take SCEB just one place up in the table, it will be a major morale boost for the struggling side.

Juan Fernando, so far, has had a good debut run in the ISL. The Spaniard had a bit of a shaky start, but he has been able to overcome the odds with his main men back in form in a very short time. FC Goa won the last two matches and thus the momentum is quite positive in their camp. They are expected to start as the dominant side against East Bengal on Wednesday.

Team News

With his praiseworthy performance in the last match as a substitute, Bright Enobakhare is expected to make his way into the starting line up as the Maghoma-Pilkington-Bright trio is a lethal weapon up for use to Fowler. Right-back Scott Neville might be replaced by Ankit Mukherjee while Raju Gaikwad is expected to start once again after an impressive outing.

FC Goa have a completely fit squad and will probably start with the same lineup as they fielded against Hyderabad FC.

Probable Lineups

SC East Bengal 

Debjit, Ankit, Gaikwad, Fox, Jairu, Rafique, Bright, Steinmann, Pilkington, Maghoma, Haobam

FC Goa

Nawaz, Seriton, James, Ivan, Gama, Bedia, Lenny, Ortiz, Brandon, Romario, Angulo

Head-to-Head

It will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs in the Indian Super League, since the inclusion of SC East Bengal earlier this season.

Man to Watch

Bright Enobakhare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuaBQbCG3Nc

The Nigerian made headlines after his prolific debut goal in the last match against Odisha FC. He will be the target man for the Red and Gold. The 22-year-old striker comes up with a great capability to penetrate the defence and is expected to create a lot of problems for the Goan side. This addition from the winter window has further boosted the attacking game of East Bengal which was priorly led by Pilkington and Maghoma.

Igor Angulo

Arguably the most lethal striker in ISL this season, Angulo is a master of converting half chances to goals. The Spaniard has already scored nine goals so far in nine matches, four of which came in injury-time. Thus, he will be a threat hard to stop for the SCEB defence.

Did You Know?

• New signing Bright Enobakhare won Coventry City FC’s Young Player of the Season award in 2018-19

• FC Goa have scored the highest number of goals in injury-time this season (4)

• Igor Angulo is the highest scorer in the league this season with nine goals

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Telecast

The live telecast of the match between SC East Bengal FC and FC Goa will be available on Star Sports 1 SD and HD, Star Sports 2 SD and HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD and HD, Star Sports 3, and several other regional languages. Live streaming of the match will be available on Hotstar and Jio TV.