FC Goa risks losing the playoff spot if they fail to win against bottom-placed NorthEast United in their trip to Guwahati.
The Highlanders conceded a last-minute goal to suffer a 2-1 loss against Bengaluru FC whereas the Gaurs were stunned by a Bartholomew Ogbeche hat-trick in the 3-1 loss to Hyderabad FC.
NEUFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Sunday, 15 January 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
NEUFC vs FCG Match Preview
NorthEast United were close to earning the fourth point of the season and a result other than a defeat in the back-to-back home games. However, Bengaluru FC’s center-back Alan Costa became the nemesis for the Highlanders again as he scored a dramatic last-minute winner from a corner. The Brazilian grabbed the winner in the reverse fixture as well. The clash was the season opener for both parties in October and from that time NorthEast United carried a miserable record of losing games until it ended in the 1-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan in Guwahati only last month. Unfortunately, Vincenzo Annese’s side went on to suffer losses in the two games after the victory. To improve from their last position on the table in the remainder of the season, striker Kule Mbombo has arrived from Lithuania to add some goals to the team. Although NorthEast have not failed to score in the last eight games and struggled more defensively, Mbombo brings a lot of individual quality that is missing from the team. The DR Congo player has scored a lot of goals in the Lithuanian and Latvian leagues and also featured in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year. Someone ready to help the Highlanders to be more productive in the latter half of the season.
For now, NorthEast United have to worry about FC Goa who make the trip to Guwahati with no wins in the last three visits. The Gaurs also took knocks in the last three games, losing to ATK Mohun Bagan and then Hyderabad FC in the new year after a 2-2 draw against Jamshedpur FC in late December. Their last win in the ISL actually came against the Highlanders with Edu Bedia and Iker Gurrotxena inspiring them to a 2-1 victory last month. FC Goa needs the pair to produce again to get back to winning ways. The Gaurs definitely need some consistency under their belt as they are only three points better than seventh-placed Chennaiyin FC for the last playoff places. Further downfall will cause trouble for Carlos Pena’s men. Also, FC Goa have failed to win more than once in the last five meetings against NorthEast and did not win at this venue since 2015. The Highlanders are indeed the basement club finding little joy in terms of results but the guests have also struggled hugely when things have not gone according to their plan. On Sunday, the Gaurs will look to find their track again before it is too late.
Recent Form
NEUFC: LLWLL
FCG: LLDWW
Predicted Lineups
NEUFC: Mirshad Michu; Hira Mondal, Aaron Evans, Gaurav Bora, Alex Saji; Emil Benny, Jon Gaztanaga, Romain Philippoteaux; Rochharzela, Kule Mbombo, Pragyan Gogoi
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Sanson Perreira, Fares Arnaout, Anwar Ali, Aibanbha Dohling; Glan Martins, Edu Bedia; Redeem Tlang, Iker Guarrotxena, Brandon Fernandes; Noah Sadaoui
NEUFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Dheeraj (7.5)
DEF: H Mondal (6.5), Anwar (8.5), Arnaout (7.5)
MID: Benny (7), Gaztanaga (8.5), Bedia (9), Guarrotxena (8.5)
FW: Tlang (8), Sadaoui (9), Philippoteaux (9)
Vice-captain: Edu Bedia
Captain: Noah Sadaoui
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
