ISL: Atletico de Kolkata vs FC Goa – What we can expect – Preview and Prediction
Atletico de Kolkata host FC Goa in an all-important game in which the Kolkata team need to avoid defeat to qualify into the next round. Atletico, who had led the Indian Super League standings for a good number of weeks now need to ensure they do not lose this game by more than 2 goals so that they make it through to the next round.
FC Goa have already sealed their position in the semi-final stage and will be looking to help Mumbai City by beating Atletico de Kolkata.
Venue and Kick-off
Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium will be hosting the 7th and final round robin game for Atletico de Kolkata, the average attendance for the games have been close to the 35,000 mark and a huge home crowd will be looking to push Kolkata into the next round.
Kick-Off – 4:30 pm (Wednesday)
Probable Line-Ups and Team News
Atletico De Kolkata (4-2-3-1): Subhashish Roy Chowdhury; Baljit Sahni, José Miguel González Rey, Arnab Mondal, Biswajit Saha; Borja Fernandez, Ofentse Nato, Lester Fernandez, Luis Garcia, Jofre Mateu, Fikru
Kolkata will go ahead with their patented 4-2-3-1 formation, Coach Habas hasn’t changed the formation of the side and he won’t be doing it in the final game which will be a crunch tie. Luis Garcia would be playing right behind Fikru and the midfield is pretty much set with Borja and Nato. The decision to be taken is whether Masih will continue and will Rafi play down the left or would Habas bring in Jofre.
FC Goa (4-1-4-1): Jan Seda; Debrata Das, Bruno Pinheiro, Gregory Arnolin, Narayan Das; Bikramjit Singh; Haroon Amiri, Andre Santos, Mandar Rao Desai, Romeo Fernandes; Miroslav Slepicka
FC Goa don’t have to worry about the team, the tie is nothing more than a freebie for the team since they have already qualified. They should however field a strong side with Andre Santos and Slepicka taking stage for the Goa team. Goa had defeated Chennaiyin in the last round to ensure they qualify for the next stage, they could be coming to spoil the Kolkata party as well.
Form Guide (Last 5)
Atletico de Kolkata: LDDLW
FC Goa: WWWWD
Important stats and facts
FC Goa could go unbeaten in the second half of the season if they get a favourable result.
Atletico de Kolkata have only won 1 of their last 9 games.
Atletico need to avoid defeat by 2 or more goals to ensure they qualify to the next stage and also make sure they score 2 goals.
FC Goa have already qualified for the next round.
Key Battles
Josemi vs Slepicka
The Spanish defender will have his work cut out when he takes on the man who has scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists so far. Atletico’s defence was a strength for them but their performances have been quite poor in the past few weeks, Josemi would need to ensure the big Czech striker does not have a field day against Kolkata.
Saha vs Fernandes
Romeo Fernandes has been one of the form players for FC Goa, he has scored 3 times in the last four games and will be looking to give Saha a torrid time from the left flank. Saha would need to contain the Goan winger or it could be a quick exit for Kolkata after starting the season so well.
Prediction
Atletico de Kolkata know it is a do or die game and need to avoid a loss. FC Goa have nothing much to play for except revenge for their 2-1 loss away to Kolkata. The game will be a tense affair with Kolkata and Goa playing out a draw.