Hyderabad Vs Goa Preview: Can Nizams get back on track?

A win will take the Gaurs to the top four in the league table.

Hyderabad FC will take on FC Goa in their next Indian Super League fixture on Wednesday at the Tilak Maidan. The Nizams have tasted defeat in their last two games and will be desperate to bounce back and win the three points.

The Gaurs, on the other hand, clinched a lucky win against Jamshedpur in the last game after suffering back-to-back defeats of their own. Igor Angulo has been in red-hot form and Juan Ferrando’s men will depend on him to get the three points as they travel to the Tilak Maidan.

The Stakes

Hyderabad FC had a brilliant start to the season going undefeated in the first five games – a streak which included draws against heavyweights ATK Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC. The young Indian contingent of the Nizams has never let the absence of their key foreign players be felt on the pitch. Coach Manolo Marquez had developed a solid defensive unit with the players and the system had delivered results for the team.

FC Goa had a mixed start to the season, but are bouncing back quite strongly. The team is loaded with attackers like Angulo, Brandon Fernandes and Jorge Ortiz and are capable of tearing apart defences. Angulo is the leading goalscorer in the season so far, with eight goals in as many games. Juan Ferrando will be backing on him to deliver this time as well.

Team News

The Nizams would be delighted that Joel Chianese and Lluis Sastre are both fit and available for selection. Moreover, they announced the loan signing of midfielder Roland Alberg, who will officially be part of the team once the January transfer window opens on Friday. Meanwhile, Fran Sandaza, who has been out with injury for a long time, might get his first start of the season as he made an appearance off the bench in their last game against Kerala Blasters. All domestic players, however, are available for selection.

FC Goa don’t have any injury concerns and will have a full squad for selection. It will be interesting to see whether Alberto Noguera, who was an unused substitute in the last game gets a place in the starting XI.

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRDeLBsi9fw

Both teams have faced each other twice and FC Goa have walked away with full three points in both the encounters.

Probable Lineups

Hyderabad FC: Subrata (GK); Rai, Chinglensana, Onaindia, Mishra; Hitesh, Victor; Poojary, Sandaza, Narzary; Santana.

FC Goa: Nawaz; Seriton, Gonzalez, Donachie, Gama; Rebello, Jesuraj, Bedia, Brandon, Ortiz ; Angulo.

ALSO READ: Indian Super League 2020-21: Five things we learned in Gameweek 8

Man to Watch

Akash Mishra (Hyderabad FC)

Akash will be a vital cog in the lineup of Hyderabad FC in their upcoming game. He has caught the eye of many this season with his gritty performances and mature approach to games. His ability to maneuver the ball from the back up the flanks will be an asset for his side against the Gaurs. His defensive fortitude will also be tested to the fullest against Goa.

Alexander Romario Jesuraj (FC Goa)

With three assists to his name, Jesuraj is surprisingly FC Goa’s top assist-provider this season, in a team with playmakers like Brandon, Noguera and Edu Bedia. The attacker has been mainly used on the right flank by Juan Ferrando and has delivered 10 crosses into the box. He will be an important man in the FC Goa lineup in the next game against Hyderabad FC on Wednesday.

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Did You Know?

• Manolo Marquez has previously served as the head coach of Spanish side Las Palmas in the LaLiga.
• FC Goa have delivered the second-highest number of crosses (122) so far. Jorge Ortiz (27) and Seriton (22) lead the charts for the team.
• Hyderabad FC have scored only six goals so far, which makes them the third-lowest goalscoring team in the league. Only SC East Bengal and Odisha FC (both five) have scored fewer than the Nizams. 

Telecast

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