Both Bengaluru FC and Odisha FC want to build on their winning start to 2023 as they face each other at the Kanteerava stadium.
The Blues required last-minute drama to win 2-1 against NorthEast United a day before Odisha FC triumphed 3-1 over East Bengal.
BFC vs OFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 14 January 2023
Time: 17:30 (IST)
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore
BFC vs OFC Match Preview
Defender Alan Costa became the man again to create the difference against NorthEast United, like in the reverse fixture, to help Bengaluru FC claim a 2-1 win at Guwahati. The victory came after back-to-back defeats in the league and was a fitting one to start off the new year. All goals were scored in the second half with Sivasakhti opening the scoring in the 50th minute only for Romain Philippoteaux equalizing 15 minutes after. In the nail-biting finish, Costa planted the winning header from a Udanta Singh corner in the back of the Highlanders net. The Blues remained in eighth place on the table but their gap with the playoff spot has been reduced to six points. Simon Grayson will wish his side to build proper momentum from now and end the see-saw ride of this season. It will be particularly important as Bengaluru FC’s CEO Mandar Tamanhe, who has been with the club since its inception in 2013, resigned for a change of fortune for the club after a difficult set of seasons. Hence, the game against Odisha FC will have extra focus with a payback opportunity for their 1-0 loss in the earlier matchup.
Odisha FC also returned to winning ways with a 3-1 win over East Bengal, also the first win of 2023. Diego Mauricio continued his improved form in the new year by bagging another brace and setting up Nandha Kumar for the other. They needed another comeback victory against the Red and Golds like last year with Cleiton Silva giving the away side the lead inside 10 minutes. Prior to this clash, Odisha FC suffered a four-game winless run, failing to find the net in three. But a narrow 4-2 defeat to Mumbai City at the beginning of this year gave them the confidence to turn the tide around last week. With another victory, Josep Gombau’s side will lift themselves to the third spot at least temporarily. They also have the chance to make a double over Bengaluru FC for the first time in ISL. The Juggernauts are desperate to tie up a good run before facing ATK Mohun Bagan, a place and a point above them, at the end of this month.
Recent Form
BFC: WLLWL
OFC: WLLDL
BFC vs OFC Team News
Bengaluru FC have a fully fit roster to choose from and manager Simon Grayson will not shy from using the same eleven that picked up the win in the last game. On the other hand, Odisha FC have a double injury boost with Michael Soosairaj and Isak Ralte returning from injury. The former last played an ISL game back in March 2022.
BFC vs OFC Predicted Lineups
BFC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Prabir Das, Alan Costa, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Parag Shrivas; Javi Hernandez, Suresh Wangjam, Rohit Kumar; Roshan Singh, Roy Krishna, Sivasakhti Narayanan
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Omar Malik, Denechandra Meitei; Saul Crespo, Raynier Fernandes, Thoiba Moirangthem; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nandha Kumar
BFC vs OFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8)
DEF: Gahlot (8), Costa (7.5), Javier (8.5), Srivas (6.5)
MID: Roshan (8.5), R Fernandes (8.5), Javi (9), Nandha (9)
FW: Jerry (9), Mauricio (9)
Vice-captain: Javi Hernandez
Captain: Diego Mauricio
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
