It’s the Super Sunday night of Matchday 3 and a chance for all the football fans to witness a breathtaking encounter in Fatorda as FC Goa get ready to host Bengaluru FC.
The second match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season saw Northeast United win 1-0 over 10-man Mumbai City at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa. Now, after the action-packed Saturday, ISL League Shield winners FC Goa will take on 2018-19 ISL champions Bengaluru FC.
Juan Ferrando’s FC Goa will face Carles Cuadrat’s Bengaluru FC at the Fatorda Stadium tonight. The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) Matchday 3 game between Goa and Bengaluru is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 pm IST.
FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC Head to head
FC Goa have only beaten Bengaluru FC once, and that was in the first meeting between these two teams, when Ferran Corominas scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 win at Fatorda. Since then, Bengaluru FC have beaten FC Goa five times, and drawn once. Last season at Fatorda, these two teams played out a 1-1 draw. Udanta Singh opened the scoring for Bengaluru FC in the second half, but Coro equalised with a late penalty. At the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, a Sunil Chhetri brace inspired Bengaluru FC to a 2-1 win.
Total no. of matches played: 7
Matches won by FC Goa: 1
Matches won by Bengaluru FC: 5
Games Drawn: 1
Highest goal aggregate in a single match: FC Goa 4-3 BFC, 30 November 2017
FC Goa’s biggest victory: FC Goa 4-3 BFC, 30 November 2017
BFC’s biggest victory: BFC 3-0 FC Goa, 21st February 2019
FC Goa
Analysing at the home side first, FC Goa finished last season at the top of the league standings but lost out to Chennaiyin FC in a high-scoring two-legged semi-final with the final score on aggregate ending 5-6. However, with new arrivals this season and the entire tournament being held in Goa, last season’s league toppers will be keen on winning their first ISL title this campaign. Goa were the top scorers last season and are still among the favourites to win the crown this season.
For Goa, Igor Angulo will have to try and fill the boots left behind by Coro, ISL’s all-time top-scorer. Jorge Ortiz and Len Doungel are expected to start on the flanks with Brandon Fernandes set to play the role of a creative midfielder. Ivan Gonzalez is expected to be paired up with James Donachie at the heart of Goa’s defence.
The Goan side faced a mass exodus when their former coach Sergio Lobera moved on to fellow ISL franchise Mumbai City FC and four crucial players – Ahmed Jahouh, Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Desai and Hugo Boumous followed suit.
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC finished last season in third place on the league table and had the best defensive record. However, they lost to eventual champions ATK over the two legs of the semifinal. However, with new additions to their squad this term, the playoff regulars will be hoping for a repeat of the 2018-19 season when won their first ISL title.
For Bengaluru, Indian icon Sunil Chhetri is set to lead the attack. The Blues have no major injury concerns heading into the game against Goa. The side has managed to retain their key players which will enable their head coach Carles Cuadrat to aim for consistent results. They have the talismanic leader Sunil Chhetri flanked by young Indian stalwarts Udanta Singh and Ashique Kuruniyan. With a strong defence led by Juanan, Bengaluru FC will sure put on a tough fight against the host.
FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC Predicted XI
FC Goa Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mohammad Nawaz; Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Saviour Gama; Edu Bedia, Lenny Rodrigues; Seiminlen Doungel, Brandon Fernandes, Jorge Ortiz Mendoza; Igor Angulo
Bengaluru FC Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Rahul Bheke, Fran Gonzalez, Juanan Gonzalez, Ashique Kuruniyan; Erik Paartalu, Suresh Singh Wangjam; Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Sunil Chhetri; Kristian Opseth