ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa | Match Preview, Predictions, Live Streaming & Where to watch details
The Indian Super League will witness its best fixture of the group phase as Bengaluru FC welcome FC Goa to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Thursday in what is a battle between the table toppers.
Bengaluru FC had been the best team in the league until December. However, since the beginning of January, BFC have been able to register just a single win from 5 matches. Dropped points against the three bottom-placed sides - Chennaiyin FC, Kerala Blasters, and Delhi Dynamos have impacted the side to an extent and they no longer look the confident unit they were at the start.
However, with Miku returning from injury and Chhetri given a rest against the Dynamos previously, manager Carles Cuadrat would be hoping his side can pick up their first win of February, against FC Goa. Bengaluru FC currently sit in the second position with 31 points from 16 games.
While BFC have been struggling, FC Goa have improved with every passing game. In addition to the 3 victories in the last 5 games, a new league record of 5 consecutive clean sheets will be a huge boost for the 'indisciplined Goan defence'.
FC Goa are now at a point where they can pose a real threat to any team and they sit pretty at the top of the table with 31 points from 16 games and a better goal difference than BFC.
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Match Information
Date: 21 February 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 PM IST
Live Stream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Live commentary: Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa Live Score | Commentary and Updates
Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Team News
Bengaluru FC
Albert Serran will miss the game after picking up his fourth yellow card of the season. Erik Paartalu is injured and will miss the remaining games of the season as well.
FC Goa
FC Goa have a full squad available for selection and are not expected to make any changes.
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Probable Lineups
Bengaluru FC (4-2-3-1): Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rino Anto, Rahul Bheke, Juanan, Nishu Kumar, Harmanjot Khabra, Dimas Delgado, Xisco Hernandez, Luisma Lopez, Miku, Sunil Chhetri
FC Goa (4-2-3-1): Naveen Kumar, Seriton Fernandes, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Pena, Mandar Rao Desai, Lenny Rodrigues, Ahmed Jahouh, Jackichand Singh, Edu Bedia, Brandon Fernandes, Ferran Corominas
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Form Guide
Bengaluru FC: L-L-D-W-L
FC Goa: W-W-D-W-D
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Head-to-Head
Bengaluru FC: 2
FC Goa: 1
Draw: 0
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Key Players
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC are desperately in search of a win and they need the combination of Miku and Sunil Chhetri to fire. The duo that was effective for BFC in the opening games lost their spark as the season progressed. However, Miku is now back from injury and Chhetri is fresh from being rested in the previous game, which would give Bengaluru FC a huge boost. While Chhetri has struck 8 times for his side this season, Miku has popped up with 3 goals so far.
FC Goa
FC Goa's Ferran Corominas and Edu Bedia could run riot in this game. The Spanish players have proven lethal against every side they have come up against and are a constant threat to the opposing defences. Corominas has 14 goals while Bedia has 7 this season.
Bengaluru FC vs FC Goa: Prediction
Predicting a top-of-the-table clash is always difficult, but taking recent form into consideration, Goa look the favourites on paper and should take home all three points.
Predicted Score - Bengaluru FC 1:3 FC Goa