Two winless sides count their chances against each other at the Tilak Maidan to achieve their maiden win of the campaign. While the Red and Gold Brigade have gained two points out of four games so far, the Gaurs are yet to register a single point on board.
SCEB vs FCG Match Details :
When: Tuesday, December 7
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Where: Tilak Maidan
SCEB vs FCG Match Preview :
SC East Bengal gained nothing but their first clean sheet of the season by drawing a blank against high flying Chennaiyin FC in the last game. Stopping the winning streak of the Marina Machans may give some confidence to the Red and Gold Brigade but they have to count themselves fortune for not conceding from the endless CFC attack. Manolo Diaz's side produced did put up a shot on target but that was what they got to offer in the opposition penalty area. However, the same cautious strategy was used by another side, Kerala Blasters after they too leaked a lot of goals and it proved beneficiary resulting in their first win of the campaign against a formidable Odisha FC. SC East Bengal wish to do the same facing a more disjointed team than them.
This season has proved to be a curse for Juan Ferrando's men who otherwise did extraordinarily well this year both domestically and on the Asian front. Injuries and a nervy defense have been their cause of dissolving the solidity FC Goa are identified with. Adding their off field distraction regarding their training ground has caused a real sign of disarray for the club. Against winnable opposition in NorthEast, they went down 2-1 through a last minute picturesque winner from Khassa Camara despite having the best chances of the game falling to them. Finding the back of the net has been an issue for them as is the easily breachable backline that has left them with no wins after the first three games of the season. With every other team able to gain at least a point to their name, ISL heavyweights like FC Goa just can't afford to sit rock bottom with nothing in their bag.
Recent Form :
SCEB: DLLD
FCG: LLL
SCEB vs FCG Team News :
SC East Bengal injury woes don't get better ahead of this game with Manolo Diaz blaming inadequate preseason behind the reason. However, Mohammed Rafique could return to the starting eleven after taking a knock recently. Jakichand Singh is still out of contention with his injury while Arindam Bhattacharya have no way back yet from his issue allowing Suvam Sen to continue in between the sticks.
Brandon Fernandes is the high-profile name still missing for FC Goa along with forward Airam Cabrera due to an injury. Jorge Ortiz is expected to switch his position to center-forward for this one in place of the Spanish striker.
SCEB vs FCG Expected Lineups :
SCEB: Suvam Sen (GK), Hira Mondal, Mrcela, Adil Khan, Lourenco, Darren Sidoel, Sourav Das, Mohammed Rafique, Bikash Jairu, Daniel Chima, Antonio Perosevic.
FCG: Dheeraj Singh (GK), Seriton Fernandes,Dylan Fox, Ivan Gonzalez, Sanson Pereira, Princeton Rebello, Glan Martins, Romario Jesuraj, Alberto Noguera, Nongdamba Naorem,
Jorge Ortiz
SCEB vs FCG Head to Head :
The only two meetings between the sides in the competition ended in a draw with the same 1-1 scoreline last season.
SCEB vs FCG Dream11 Team Prediction :
GK: Dheeraj (FCG)
DEF: H. Mondol (SCEB), Ivan (FCG), Adil (FCG), Seriton (FCG)
MID: Rafique (SCEB), Dervisevic (SCEB), Martins (FCG), Noguera (FCG)
FW: Chima (SCEB), Ortiz (FCG)
Match Prediction: SC East Bengal 1-1 FC Goa
It is hard to predict a win for either side when they both are chasing the same thing. Patience is due to fall apart but it feels like mending the defense is the first option for the duo to take with both also struggling on the forward areas.
