FC Goa have to win against Bengaluru FC in a hot streak of winning form and wish Odisha FC loses their game to make it to the playoffs of the ISL.
The Blues became the first side to beat Mumbai City this season to confirm their place in the playoffs while Gaurs lost 2-1 to Chennaiyin FC to make their life more uncomfortable.
BFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Thursday, 23 February 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Sree Kanteraava Stadium, Bangalore
BFC vs FCG Match Preview
The absence of Roy Krishna through suspension did not matter for Bengaluru FC at the end as evergreen Sunil Chettri scored against his favorite opponent in ISL to help his side beat now ISL Shield Winners Mumbai City FC and secure qualification for the playoffs in March. Playmaker Javi Hernandez claimed the assist for the opener and went to name himself on the scoresheet before Mourtada Fall pulled one back for a mere consolation. The Blues became the first side to break the invincibility run of the Islanders before Des Buckingham’s side went on to lose again against East Bengal in their last game of the league phase. With their place in the top six now sealed, Simon Grayson’s men will look forward to extending their winning streak to eight games. After such a massive win last week, it will be hard to see Bengaluru FC not claiming another victory to end the league phase on a high and draw more confidence ahead of the playoffs. They will finish third on the table with three points on Thursday provided ATK Mohun Bagan fail to win their match due to goal difference.
FC Goa once looked to be the favorite to secure a playoff berth but being winless in their last three games has left them relying on other results for qualification. The 2-1 loss to Chennaiyin FC was damaging and the one they needed to win to keep the pressure on their playoff rivals Odisha FC. Kwame Karikari scored the goals for Marina Machans as Noah Sadaoui’s equaliser went in vain. The Gaurs have no other choice now but to put an end to Bengaluru FC’s stunning winning run in order to stand a chance. Even three points will not be enough if Odisha FC avoids defeat against Jamshedpur FC a day before. So, Carlos Pena’s side is in a difficult situation sitting in seventh with 27 points three behind the Juggernauts in sixth. FC Goa have a better goal difference but it will not matter if they fail to master a victory. They are yet to return any positive results this month. It is a do-or-die fixture for them at Kanteerava in the last league fixture where Bengaluru FC have claimed four consecutive wins. Furthermore, the Gaurs have lost all of their past four meetings at this venue, scoring only once, in ISL history making the task that much harder.
Recent Form
BFC: WWWWW
FCG: LLDWW
BFC vs FCG Predicted Lineups
BFC: Gurpreet Singh; Aleksander Jovanovic, Sandesh Jhingan, Parag Srivas; Prabir Das, Rohit Kumar, Javi Hernandez, Suresh Wangjam, Naorem Roshan; Roy Krishna, Sunil Chhetri
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Seriton Fernandes, Fares Arnaout, Anwar Ali, Aibanbha Dohling; Ayush Chettri, Edu Bedia; Devendra Murgaokar, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Noah Sadaoui
BFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Gurpreet (8.5)
DEF: Dohling (9), Jhingan (8.5), Anwar (8.5)
MID: Brandon (8), Bedia (9), Guarrotxena (8.5), Javi (9)
FW: Krishna (9), Chhetri (8.5), Sadaoui (9)
Vice-captain: Javi Hernandez
Captain: Noah Sadaoui
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
