Preview: Struggling FC Goa, Bengaluru FC lock horns in must win game

Bengaluru and Goa are at the 9th and 10th spots in the ISL table respectively.

Life became a bit easier for FC Goa in their previous league game. The Gaurs earned their first points of the campaign, after defeating Kolkata giants SC East Bengal 4-3. On the contrary, Bengaluru FC recently suffered two consecutive defeats, at the hands of Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC. Both Goa and Bengaluru have not had good campaigns so far in Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22, and they will look to turn that around starting from Saturday, when they will face each other.

The Stakes

FC Goa

The Gaurs had a poor start to their campaign and remained winless for three consecutive matches. Finally, against SC East Bengal, a change in style saw the team emerging victorious. The team have thus been handed a much-needed boost and Juan Ferrando’s men will try to use it and aim for all three points against a somewhat beleaguered Bengaluru FC side.

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Bengaluru FC

Marco Pezzaiuoli’s side haven’t witnessed the best of runs in the league. Although the team started their campaign on a positive note, it seems that things are not really falling into place for Bengaluru FC. They have won only one game so far this season and have suffered three losses and a draw since then. But as per the reputation of the club, you can’t simply write them off. The Blues will be aiming to bounce back against the Gaurs on Saturday.

Team News

FC Goa are expected to miss out on Spanish forward Airam Cabrera and Indian midfielder Brandon Fernandes. Apart from these two, Juan Ferrando will have the services of all other players.

For Bengaluru, Leon Augustine has suffered an ankle injury and is expected to be out of action till the end of December. Apart from him, the Blues possess a fully fit squad that is available for selection against the Gaurs.

Head-to-Head

FC Goa and Bengaluru FC have met each other nine times in the ISL. The Gaurs have managed just two victories, while Bengaluru FC have five wins under their belt. The other two matches ended as draws.

The fixture has also seen quite a number of goals (28). 17 of those were scored by Bengaluru and 11 by FC Goa.

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Probable Lineups

FC Goa (3-5-2): Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem (GK), Mohamed Ali, Ivan Gonzalez, Aibanbha Dohling, Seriton Fernandes, Glan Martins, Alberto Noguera, Edu Bedia, Saviour Gama, Devendra Murgaonkar, Jorge Ortiz Mendoza.

Bengaluru FC (4-3-3): Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Naorem Roshan Singh, Pratik Chaudhari, Alan Costa, Ashique Kuruniyan, Jayesh Rane, Bruno Ramires, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Prince Ibara, Cleiton Silva, Sunil Chhetri.

Man to Watch

Alberto Noguera (FC Goa)

He is the midfield maestro of the FC Goa contingent. Orchestrating the midfield, playing through-balls, creating chances, and circulating the ball are some of the things that the Spaniard does best. Apart from these, he also fancies in shooting from range, as seen in their most recent encounter against SC East Bengal. Notably, Noguera is also FC Goa’s set-piece specialist alongside skipper Edu Bedia.

Cleiton Silva (Bengaluru FC)

The Brazilian is the focal point of the Blues' attack. He has scored two goals so far, one from a free-kick against Mumbai City FC, a match where Bengaluru FC suffered a 3-1 defeat. The other goal came in their first match against NorthEast United FC, after he went past the keeper to place it into the net.

In the last two games, he has really lived up to the expectations of the coach. Hopefully, we will see Silva firing all guns against the Gaurs on Saturday.

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Did you know?

• FC Goa lost to Bengaluru FC in the final of the 2018-19 Indian Super League. The solitary goal was scored in the 117th minute by defender Rahul Bheke.
• The two all-time highest goal-scorers of the league belong to FC Goa and Bengaluru FC. Former FC Goa forward, Ferran Corominas is the top-scorer with 48 goals. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri has 47 goals to his name and is second in the list.
• Both skippers, Sunil Chhetri and Edu Bedia, are the longest serving footballers for Bengaluru FC and FC Goa respectively.

Telecast

The match between FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will be held at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on December 11, 2021 at 9:30pm. The fixture will be telecasted LIVE on the Star Sports Network and live-streamed on Disney+Hotstar and JioTV. Around the globe, viewers can switch to the OneFootball application to watch the game LIVE.

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