ISL 2018-19: FC Goa vs NorthEast United: A pre-match report
FC Goa will be taking on NorthEast United in their Indian Super League encounter tonight, and the highlight of the match will surely be the fight for the Golden Boot between Goa's Ferran Corominas and NorthEast's Batholomew Ogbeche. Both strikers are at eight goals and one might take the lead tonight. Having lost their last match to Pune, Goa will be under pressure tonight.
How are the two teams shaping up for the encounter?
Goa will field a full squad except for the suspended Ahmed Jahouh. Corominas will be leading the hosts' 4-2-3-1 attack. Though Miguel Palanca was a part of the squad in Goa's victory against Kerala, he has not made a start since then. NorthEast will be lining up in a similar formation, and Rowllin Borges and Jose Leudo will have important defensive duties tonight.
Important pointers and key players of the match
NorthEast haven't suffered a single loss in their last five away matches, and their strong defense has just allowed nine goals this term. Ogbeche and Gallego will be their go-to guys for leading the attack against their worthy opponents. Goa's form has taken a dip since the start of the season, but having already scored 22 goals, they will be confident going forward.
Predicted line-up and TV listing
FC Goa: Nawaz; Seriton, Fall, Ali, Desai; Lenny, Bedia; Jackichand, Boumous, Brandon; Corominas. NorthEast United: Pawan; Reagan, Grgic, Komorski, Keegan; Rowllin, Leudo; Tlang, Gallego, Lalthathanga; Ogbeche. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 7:30 PM, and can be watched on the Star Sports network or live-streamed on Hotstar.
How can the match turn out tonight?
If Goa win the match tonight, they shall have equal points with NorthEast, 20, but the hosts will still have a match at hand. Eyes will be on Corominas and Ogbeche after the two failed to register goals in their last three fixtures each. This closely-contested tie will start with NorthEast being the favorites, but Goa have the potential to turn things around.
An analysis of the league table in its current state
While Bengaluru have sealed their position on top with a win against ATK last night, the remaining three teams in the top four are just two points away from each other. Goa have a chance to put up a fight tonight which might see them in contention for a playoff spot as well. The situation is intensifying as the league stage nears the end.
