Three days after losing to NorthEast United in Guwahati, ATK Mohun Bagan want to use their encouraging home form to return to winning ways against FC Goa.
The Green and Maroons were left frustrated by their third loss of the season in the 1-0 defeat to the Highlanders while the Gaurs scored a last-minute equalizer to rescue a 2-2 draw against Jamshedpur FC.
ATKMB vs FCG Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 28 December 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
ATKMB vs FCG Match Preview
ATK Mohun Bagan suffered a 1-0 loss to a winless NorthEast United until that moment in probably the season’s biggest shock. Juan Ferrando’s side were coming off a goalless draw against Odisha FC into this fixture and their lack of finishing resulted in a far worse outcome this time around. No goals scored from eight shots on target and with a comparably higher xG (1.11) than the opposition (0.60) was a cruel blow to the guests. Credit goes to the number one for Highlanders, Mirshad Michu making a sublime number of eight saves in the match. With no scoring impact in the last two matches, the ever-staying issue of proficiency rose again. ATK Mohun Bagan are seemingly close to for ex-NorthEast United player Federico Gallego to bring creativity from the middle of the park and to replace the injured Joni Kauko. Hugo Boumous’s injury also cost the side in the game so Gallego’s addition will be crucial. Before that, the Green and Maroons have to improve on the pitch or risk descending further in the table. Juan Ferrando already lost to his former side earlier in the season so revenge will be on the cards in facing FC Goa. For the first time, this clash will be played in the Saltlake Stadium which the hosts will be desperate to win.
FC Goa had a bumpy ride since the 3-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan last month with successive defeats to Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC. The Gaurs have bounced back since with wins over Odisha FC and NorthEast United before settling for a 2-2 draw against Jamshedpur FC last week. Things could have taken a bad turn if Iker Guarrotxena was not there to replace his freakish own goal from a corner which gave the Men of Steels the lead with a brace to rescue the game. The 30-year-old last strike came in the 90th minute. Guarrotxena has been the main source of goals in the last few matches for FC Goa and also influenced their first-ever win against ATK Mohun Bagan in ISL earlier this season. Carlos Pena’s side will be looking at him again to come up with the goods again in the reverse fixture. FC Goa are placed just below the Kolkata-based opponent, in fifth with a point separating them after 11 rounds. Victory in this game will help the Gaurs to third or fourth place on the table, in accordance with the goal difference, ending the year on a high. FC Goa will face table- toppers Hyderabad FC in the first game of the new year so a win will be of utmost necessity.
Recent Form
ATKMB: LDWWW
FCG: DWWLL
ATKMB vs FCG Predicted Lineups
ATKMB: Vishal Kaith; Asish Rai, Pritam Kotal, Brendan Hamill, Subhasish Bose; Carl McHugh, Deepak Tangri; Liston Colaco, Kiyan Nassiri, Ashique Kuruniyan; Dimitri Petratos
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Seriton Fernandes, Fares Arnaout, Anwar Ali, Aibhanba Dohling; Glen Martins, Edu Bedia; Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Noah Sadaoui
ATKMB vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (7.5)
DEF: Asish (8.5), Anwar (8.5), Bose (9), Dohling (9)
MID: Guarrotxena (8.5), Bedia (9), Ashique (8)
FW: Tlang (8), Sadaoui (9), Petratos (9)
Vice-captain: Noah Sadaoui
Captain: Iker Guarrotxena
