Odisha FC and FC Goa will take on each other in a hotly contested battle for the ISL playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium.
The Juggernauts stayed winless in three matches with an exciting 2-2 draw with Chennaiyin FC while FC Goa registered their second win in a row by beating lowly East Bengal 4-2.
OFC vs FCG Match Details
Date: Monday, 6 February 2023
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar
OFC vs FCG Match Preview
Odisha FC led twice last week but failed to keep hold of it as Chennaiyin FC came from behind each time to level it 2-2 at the end. Diego Mauricio, who has seen an upsurge in form in January, scored the opener in the 24th minute but it was canceled just seconds forcing Isak Vanlalruatfela to retake it in the second half. Abdenasser El Khayati made sure afterward that honors were shared. With just a point from the game, the Juggernauts found themselves in a vulnerable position in dropping out from the playoff places after Bengaluru FC claimed a win against ATK Mohun Bagan on Sunday. Josep Gombau’s men are now placed seventh with 23 points collected from 16 games and are two points away from the top six. The problem for them is to win, which they have managed only once in the last eight matches against ninth-placed East Bengal. However, Odisha FC have lost only one match at home this season and picked up five wins from seven played at Kalinga. Thankfully, they play the next two matches, against two sides in the playoff places FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, at home. With the table’s bottom two to face in the last two matches of the league phase, Odisha FC will be in a better position to secure the playoffs if they gain maximum points in the next pair of games.
With back-to-back wins in the league, FC Goa have recovered their stay in the playoff spot after going four games without a victory. The key has been Iker Guarrotxena finding his scoring boot again. The Spaniard completed a hat trick in 12 minutes in the recent 4-2 win over East Bengal to help FC Goa go closer to cementing a place in the playoffs. Although the Gaurs allowed two late goals from the opposition, they were focused on their destiny and achieved it comfortably. FC Goa have an interesting fixture list coming up, first making the trip to fellow playoff contender Odisha FC then playing two home games against Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC. The last league game for them is the all-important trip to face Bengaluru FC if playoff places are not finalized until then. With a good winning momentum in their hand, the Gaurs will be reluctant to slip off from here. Their away record could be a thing of worry with only two wins all season and defeat in five of the last six matches on the road. But with the Juggernauts struggling despite having a decent home record, the chance is now to secure their first away win since October last year. FC Goa will also lift them to the third with a positive result on Monday.
OFC vs FCG Team News
Raynier Fernandes recovered from his short injury layoff against ATK Mohun Bagan to feature in the Chennaiyin FC game last week. He will be hoping to start on Monday. Odisha FC signed Princeton Rebello from their opponents on the day with Nikhil Prabhu going the other way. Both will be available for their respective matchday squad.
For FC Goa, Hernan Santana will be available after being brought in as a replacement for the injured Gil Vicente. The center-back will have to wait for his chance though with Fares Arnaout and Anwar Ali establishing a solid partnership at the back.
OFC vs FCG Predicted Lineups
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Narender Gahlot, Osama Malik, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Panwar; Raynier Fernandes, Saul Crespo, Thoiba Singh; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Nandhakumar Sekar
FCG: Dheeraj Singh; Aiban Dohling, Hernan Santana, Anwar Ali, Sanson Pereira; Ayush Chhetri, Edu Bedia; Devendra Murgaonkar, Brandon Fernandes, Noah Sadaoui; Iker Guarrotxena
OFC vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Amrinder (8)
DEF: Dohling (9), Ali (8.5), Delgado (8.5), Arnaout (7.5)
MID: Brandon (8), Bedia (9), Guarrotxena (8.5), Sekar (9)
FW: Sadaoui (9), Mauricio (9)
Vice-captain: Brandon Fernandes
Captain: Iker Guarrotxena
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
