The top two in the ISL table clash at Gachibowli with Hyderabad FC looking to extend their lead on top of the table by winning against resurgent Odisha FC.
The Nizams collected their third consecutive victory of the season with a 1-0 triumph over FC Goa while Odisha FC registered back-to-back wins by defeating Bengaluru FC 1-0 as well.
HFC vs OFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 5 November 2022
Time: 17:00 (IST)
Venue: G.M.C Balayogi Athletic Stadium, Gachibowli
HFC vs OFC Match Preview
Few sides could match the gimmick and the consistency Hyderabad FC are showing this season. Winners of the ISL trophy last season, Manolo Marquez’s men have started their title defense in stunning fashion staying unbeaten in the four games so far including wins in the last three. The latest of which came at Balayogi Stadium when Javier Siverio’s goal was enough to decide the outcome of the game against FC Goa. However, Alvaro Vazquez missed an 84th-minute penalty to keep Nizam’s clean sheet record intact from the last three games. Goa did have the better of chances, especially in the second half and later on in the game but the holders managed to hold on for the win. In a tight race for the top spot in the table where the first and fourth are separated by only two points, this winning run will be a huge relief for Manolo Marquez urging his boys to maintain it as long as possible. Although, he will be a bit worried about the team taking a more pragmatic approach after scoring an early goal in the 1-0 victory asking for more control in games to come. In the second straight home fixture, second-placed Odisha FC visits them for an exciting battle. Hyderabad FC have not lost a game against the Juggernauts in the last two seasons with victory in three of those four meetings. Another three points in the bag will give the Nizams leverage at the top having got past NorthEast, Bengaluru and FC Goa after their 3-3 draw against Mumbai City in the first game. But Joseph Gombau’s side are not to be taken lightly as they are experiencing a positive start to an ISL campaign after a long time.
Odisha FC responded to their defeat to Mumbai City in the second game of the season by picking up wins over Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC respectively. The 1-0 win over the Blues last week, goal scored by Nanda Kumar, got the first clean sheet of the season which the Juggernauts could build on. Odisha FC had a good grasp in the game, though not on possession, this time out and had less errors to show. While the last two results at the Kalinga Stadium have lifted them up to the second spot in the table, Joseph Gombau needs his men to sort out their away form with a win and a defeat in the other two games. The three points gathered on the road was the 3-2 late comeback victory over Jamshedpur in the opening game when they went two goals behind inside 10 minutes. The Juggernauts conceded two more in their defeat to Mumbai City FC in the following game. Hyderabad FC’s unscratched home form will be a worry too. Manolo Marquez’s men did not score more than twice in the previous two games at this ground but their quality to see off games shows their champions mentality, a fear factor for the rest. If Odisha FC manages to prevent the holders from winning it will be a massive step forward for them with easier opposition to face in the next three fixtures on paper namely East Bengal, Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United, two of them being at the bottom of the pile. Wingers Nanda Kumar and Jerry have chipped in with necessary goals but Odisha FC needs striker Diego Mauricio to fire again. After all, they have scored the lowest among the top five teams in the league.
Recent Form
HFC: WWWD
OFC: WWLW
HFC vs OFC Predicted Lineups
HFC: Laxmikant Kattimani, Nikhil Poojary, Odei Onaindia, Chinglensana Singh, Akash Mishra, Joao Victor, Hitesh Sharma, Mohammad Yasir, Bartholomew Ogbeche, Holicharan Narzary, Javier Siverio
OFC: Amrinder Singh, Shubham Sarangi, Osama Malik, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar, Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Moirangthem, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nanda Sekar
HFC vs OFC Head to Head
These two played a five-goals thriller in the last meeting in the previous bio-bubble season at Tilak Maidan in Goa. Jerry scored Odisha Fc’s lead just before the half-time whistle for Joel Chianese to equalize five minutes after the restart while Joao Victor and Akash Mishra got on the scoresheet within three minutes between their strike to clinch Hyderabad Fc’s win. The 84th-minute strike from Jonathan ultimately made no change to the faith of the Juggernauts in the evening.
HFC vs OFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Kattimani (8.5)
DEF: Panwar (8.5), Onaindia (8.5), Delgado (9), Mishra (8)
MID: Yasir (7.5), Victor (9), Crespo (8)
FW: Jerry (8), Ogbeche (9), Siverio (9)
Vice-captain: Joao Victor
Captain: Bartholomew Ogbeche
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
