Kerala Blasters seek their first win against FC Goa since 2016 after finding their way back against NorthEast United after three successive losses.
The Tuskers won 3-0 at Guwahati as their second victory of the season whereas the Gaurs came back from their loss against Hyderabad FC in style by picking up a three goals victory against Jamshedpur FC.
KBFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Saturday, 13 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi
KBFC vs FCG Match Preview
Dimitrios Diamantakos broke the deadlock in the 56th minute and Sahal Abdul Samad came on as a substitute to score a remarkable brace to give Kerala Blasters a much-needed over the bottom-placed NorthEast United which ended their three-game losing streak in the league. The Tuskers look to be more themselves in the match but the home side offered little at the end to be threatening proven by their only shot on target compared to four from the Yellow Army. Still, they have a lot of positives to take. Their attack seems to click with more goals and Sahal also getting his mojo back to earn a start in the upcoming games. More importantly, the defense that leaked eight in the three defeats this season was able to pick the first clean sheet of the season. Ruivah Hormipam had a terrific game making three clearances, four interceptions and recovering the ball for his team 15 times looking more like the talent he was touted for. Ivan Vukomanovic also started Ivan Kaliuzhnyi in midfield which worked wonders for stability in the midfield park alongside Jeakson Singh. It meant Adrian Luna made the start on the forward line than the wing a trait which can be seen in the next games. The task for Kerala Blasters is to show the same valor now against tougher sides in the league with smooth-riding FC Goa giving them the ideal test at the moment. The issue for the Tuskers is they have a poor record in this meeting and have not won against the Gaurs for six years. They did not manage it in the last season even when they went into the final as a formidable side. Hence, Ivan Vukomanovic’s men will be adamant about not making the victory against northeast United a one-off show and carry the momentum to put the dismal record to bed once and for all.
FC Goa also overturned a narrow loss to league leaders Hyderabad FC and returned back to winning ways against Jamshedpur FC smashing the Shield winners in the first home game of the season 3-0 Iker Guarrotxena getting his first goal for the club, Noah Sadaoui with his second of the season and later Briston Fernandes got the last one in added time. Edu Bedia and Brandon Fernandes became the creative hub again for Carlos Pena’s men with Savior Gama also taking one assist as a late substitute. The all-around performance showed their last result against the Nizams was a fluke and simply the holders containing that edge in mentality for being the champions. Aside from that disappointment, Goa have now managed three wins out of four this season scoring seven goals and only conceding just two which is the best defensive record till now in the league. Facing Kerala Blasters in the next game will be their fourth trip in the league with six points collected from the last three. Another win will put FC Goa to the second spot topping ATK Mohun Bagan by two points and four points behind Hyderabad FC at the top. The Gaur’s aim was to finish in one of the playoff spots now that six are available and the early energizing start could be pivotal to craft their season ahead. With that in mind, FC Goa want to maintain their vibrant record against the Tuskers meeting them at Kochi not lost there since 2016 itself. Their last three encounters with Kerala Blasters at this ground ended in a draw and two wins with seven goals scored by the Orange Army and conceding four. Although FC Goa failed to win the last two head-to-heads in the bio-bubble campaign at their venue, the draws were a treat as it finished 2-2 and then a 4-4 goal-fest back in March.
Recent Form
KBFC: WLLLW
FCG: WLWW
KBFC vs FCG Team News
Kerala Blasters have a full squad available with Ivan Vukamanovic taking a steady step to select his best eleven for the game. Sahal has taken a claim after his powerful performance off the bench whereas Kaliuzhnyi playing in midfield should allow Adrian Luna to offer his magic in the forward line again.
For FC Goa, they have a situation in the center-back position to sort out with both Marc Valiente and now Fares Arnaout also out for this encounter with the Syrian sustaining an injury only ten minutes in the last game against Jamshedpur FC. Glen Martins stepped into the that makeshift role being a midfielder and may keep his place at the back for this one with the other option being Leander D’Cunha.
KBFC vs FCG Predicted Lineups
KBFC: Prabhsukhan Gill (GK); Harmanjot Khabra, Victor Mongil, Marko Leskovic, Sandeep Singh; Rahul KP, Puitea, Jeakson Singh, Adrian Luna; Sahal Abdul Samad, Dimitrios Diamantakos
FCG: Arshdeep Singh (GK); Seriton Fernandes, Anwar Ali, Glan Martins, Aiban Dohling; Edu Bedia, Ayush Chhetri; Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui; Alvaro Vazquez
KBFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (7.5)
DEF: Khabra (9), Hormipam (8), Anwar (7), Dohling (7.5)
MID: Brandon (8.5), Bedia (9), Kaliuzhyni (9), Sahal (8.5), luna (9)
FW: Sadaoui (9)
Vice-captain: Brandon Fernandes
Captain: Edu Bedia
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
