ISL: FC Goa vs NorthEast United - What we can expect - Preview and Prediction
There has been entertainment galore in the ISL recently with the results panning out in a way making the table look really interesting. All teams are in with a shout for a semi-final berth and Chennaiyin FC are the only team to have made it after a 1-0 win against Kerala Blasters FC.
Recent results have seen Delhi Dynamos and FC Goa rise in the table and have made it more interesting than ever. And with FC Goa slated to play against NorthEast United FC, the tie makes for a very intriguing clash.
NorthEast have had ups and downs, and though they won the last game against Chennaiyin FC 3-0, they lost against Delhi Dynamos and even failed to win a game in the five games prior to the last game. This has now led to the Guwahati based side to make it a must win game for them.
FC Goa on the other hand, has had a good run off late and a win should see them through. With it being their last home game, they would want to seal a win at a venue they have found a liking to.
Form Guide (last 5 games)
FC Goa: W-W-D-W-L
NorthEast United: W-L-L-D-D
Goa has had a roller coaster ride in the tournament with the team managing to do well in certain games, while they have been drab and lost for ideas in others. Though Goa had a poor start, the team has picked themselves up and as the form guide suggests, they are right back on track.
NorthEast United, on the other hand, started the tournament well. But a recent slump has seen them go down, and it was only a win against a depleted Chennaiyin FC side that kept them out of the bottom two and in the reckoning for a semi-final berth.
Kick-off: 1 December - 7 PM IST
Possible starting line-ups
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
This combination has worked wonders for Zico and his tactic of playing Bruno at the heart of defence with a much more attack minded player in Amiri in the midfield has turned out to be a game changer. Amiri has done well as a box-to-box midfielder: a type of player Goa had been lacking due to the lack of contributions from Robert Pires. And with Amiri showing enough intent to attack, the formula has worked well.
The only change may be in the form of Miroslav Slepicka coming in to replace Tolgay Ozbey. Slepicka has shown more agility and adds more to the team, and with him notching a brace in the last game, we might see him start ahead of Tolgay.
North East United FC (3-5-2): Rehenesh TP; Joan Capdevillla, Massamba, Miguel Garcia; Adinga, Kodwani Mtonga, Felipe Castro, Boithang Haokip, Koke; Len Doungel, Durga Boro
Having failed to win a single game of the five prior to their last game, NorthEast United is all but sure to use the same combination which helped them to a win over table-toppers Chennaiyin FC. NorthEast had much more going forward and even looked solid in defence with the line-up and looks set to go in with the same combination and try to dominate the midfield with an extra man in attack.
Key Battles
Pinheiro vs Koke
Koke has been the man behind most of NorthEast United’s moves and the Spaniard has topped the assist charts in the ISL. With this new setup, Koke gets more freedom to move around and create space and play through balls. Pinheiro hence, would need to be at the top of his game to thwart the danger posed by NorthEast United’s front three, especially Koke.
Kodwani vs Andre Santos
Kodwani has been a great shield in front of his defence and has done well in breaking moves and cutting-down moves of the opposition. The box-to-box midfielder has also not shied away from making darting runs into the opposition box. He would hence match-up against Santos, who would drive his team forward. This would make for an exciting one as well as one that would shape up the game.
Romeo Fernandes vs Capdevilla
Fernandes has been one of the most impressive young Indian players in the FC Goa side and has been in immense form. He not only adds more width, but cuts inside at will. Capdevilla, who would take up the left centre back position, would need to keep a check on the youngster and keep him away from getting into dangerous positions.
Prediction
FC Goa 3-1 NorthEast United