FC Goa needs a win to stay in contention for the playoffs as they welcome Chennaiyin FC in their last home game of the season.
The Gaurs lost a 5-3 thriller to Mumbai City FC at home while the Marina Machans picked up a 2-0 victory over East Bengal to end their eight-game winless streak.
FCG vs CFC Match Details
Date: Wednesday, 16 February 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Goa
FCG vs CFC Match Preview
It was always going to be difficult for FC Goa to hold a bulldozing Mumbai City FC who were gunning for victory to finally seal the Winners Shield. The Gaurs put up a great fight in scoring three goals but conceding five at the same time left a bad taste. Considering the Islanders made a habit of humiliating the opposition by scoring a flurry of goals this season, they could be excused but the defeat increased the task in their fight for the playoffs. That is also because Odisha FC have won their game and Bengaluru FC can cause an upset against the league leaders due to their excellent winning form of late. Carlos Pena knows his side cannot afford any more slip-offs with just two games remaining otherwise staying in the top six will be utterly difficult for them. A loss will pile up the misery while a draw will leave everything open. They face Chennaiyin FC next at home before ending the league phase with a do-or-die clash against the Blues. Hence, winning is all that matters for FC Goa on Thursday but Chennaiyin FC could potentially be a tough opposition with a winning momentum from the last game and nothing to play for in their remaining games.
Chennaiyin FC dreams of playoff qualification was dashed way earlier than they welcomed East Bengal to their home but a 2-0 win was a much-needed one for the side. It did come late but three points after eight games of suffering brought relief. The Marina Machans finally got a result to reward their performance but had to do it without their star forward duo, Abdenasser El Khayati and Petar Sliskovic. They will be out again from the squad making the trip to Goa. However, Thomas Bradaric’s men showed they are capable to score goals despite their absence in hope of building some momentum towards the end of the season. The view will be to solidify their eighth position on the table with nothing to play for at this stage of the league. FC Goa won the reverse fixture 2-0 so revenge will also be brewing in their mind. However, Chennaiyin FC have lost three of their last five games away from home with their last win on the road coming in the 7-3 thriller against NorthEast United in December last year. They have also failed to score more than once in that period. They will wish those records don’t bite them again in their last away game of the season.
Recent Form
FCG: LDWWD
CFC: WLDLD
FCG vs CFC Team News
FC Goa run the risk of losing their captain Edu Bedia for the last match of the league phase if he picks up one more yellow card. There are no other players with suspension issues as Carlos Pena has a fully fit roster to choose from.
Chennaiyin FC have been hit with two massive blows as Abdenasser El Khayati and Petar Sliskovic will miss this clash with injuries. The Dutchman was withdrawn in the 37th minute clutching his hamstring in the 1-0 win against East Bengal while the latter did not even make the squad. In their place, Rahim Ali and Kwame Karikari will start upfront.
FCG vs CFC Predicted Lineups
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Seriton Fernandes, Fares Arnaout Anwar Ali, Sanson Pereira; Hernan Santana, Edu Bedia; Devendra Murgaokar, Brandon Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui; Iker Guarrotxena
CFC: Samik Mitra; Edwin Vanspaul, Fallou Diagne, Gurmukh Singh, Aakash Sangwan; Ninthoi Meetei, Anirudh Thapa, Julias Duker, Vincy Barretto; Rahim Ali, Kwame Karikari
FCG vs CFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (7.5)
DEF: Diagne (8), Anwar (8.5), Aakash (8.5)
MID: B Fernandes (8), Thapa (6.5), Bedia (9), Guarrotxena (8.5), Barretto (7.5)
FW: Rahim (8), Sadaoui (9)
Vice-captain: Brandon Fernandes
Captain: Noah Sadaoui
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
