Odisha FC wants to extend their winning run to four matches when they travel to the Fatorda stadium to face FC Goa.
The Gaurs suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season with a 4-1 defeat to Mumbai City FC while Odisha FC’s 2-1 win over NorthEast United made it three wins on the spin.
FCG vs OFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 10 December 2022
Time: 17:30 (IST)
Venue: Fatorda Stadium, Margao
FCG vs OFC Match Preview
Successive losses in the league have left FC Goa in a precarious position on the points chart with one more slip-off enough to pull them out of the playoff places. The 2-0 surprise defeat to Bengaluru FC was met with a 4-1 crushing blow from table toppers Mumbai City FC last week. The result descended them to the last playoff spots with only two points separating them from seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC. The incredible start that Carlos Pena’s side had this season seems to fade away. In the game against the Islanders, the goal Goa managed came from an error by opposition keeper Phurba Lachenpa from the five shots they managed on target. While the home side rippled their net four times from eight shots on target exceeding their xG of 1.16. Mumbai City FC have been a free-scoring side for a month using their firepower to its maximum but the Gaurs could not escape the blame. After conceding just three from the opening six matches of the season, they have let in double in the last two. This is an eyebrow-raising factor for coach Carlos Pena who is desperate to prevent this run from growing its roots in upcoming games. FC Goa could change it if they look at the record they have against Odisha FC. Both before and after the franchise’s rebranding, the club from Western India have not lost a single match against them since 2017. History favors them hugely in this clash and as a case, they could use this fixture to turn things around. Having said that, Odisha FC have lost only to the top two in the league after eight games and has won the rest. Not making the situation easy for the orange shirts.
It is safe to say Josep Gombau’s men are looking a lot different from the past seasons with more winnings in their stride. Consistency is also a key factor that has put them in the hunt for the top spot in the league. The 2-1 win over NorthEast United last Friday extended their winning run to three games and close down the gap with leaders Mumbai City FC to three points. Forward Nandha Sekar’s brilliant scoring form continued with his fourth strike including three in the last three matches. It is also the best return of his ISL career after not scoring more than once in previous campaigns. Rochharzela equalized for the Highlanders on the hour-mark but Jerry Mawihmingthanga restored the lead for the Juggernauts for the win in the 78th minute. It was his third goal this season with two coming in the last three as well while Diego Mauricio made four goal contributions in the same period. With the attackers blistering in form, Odisha FC have managed to score 15 goals this season which is the joint-second-best scoring output this season in the league. Irrespective of their win drought against FC Goa, Josep Gombau believes his current crop of players are the best the club has assembled for a certain time and can achieve the important three points in this clash at the weekend. If Odisha FC triumphs on Saturday, Gombau will be the first manager since Gianluca Zambrotta to win against the Gaurs in-charge of the franchise.
Recent Form
FCG: LLWLW
OFC: WWWLW
FCG vs OFC Team News
FC Goa will miss their captain Edu Bedia for this game as he received his second booking in the last match against Mumbai City FC. For Odisha FC, Shubham Sarangi continues to nurse his injury so Narender Gahlot will resume his duty as a right-back.
FCG vs OFC Predicted Lineups
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Seriton Fernandes, Marc Valiente, Anwar Ali, Aibanba Dohling; Ayush Chettri, Glen Martins; Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Noah Sadaoui
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Narender Gahlot, Osama Malik, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar; Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Moirangthem; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nandha Kumar Sekar
FCG vs OFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8.5)
DEF: Dohling (8.5), Anwar (8), Javier (9), Panwar (8.5)
MID: Crespo (8), Guarrotxena (7.5), Sekar (8.5)
FW: Jerry (8.5), Mauricio (9), Sadaoui (9)
Vice-captain: Diego Mauricio
Captain: Nandha Kumar Sekar
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
