A matchup between FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC have always produced goals and when two sides boast of such potent strikers in the form of Valskis and Angulo there won’t dearth of entertainment. While FC Goa is unbeaten in their last three games and is currently 4th in the league, the Red Miners are two points and two places shy of their opponent in 6th with just 1 win and 2 defeats in their last 3.
FC Goa broke their run of consecutive defeats against Jamshedpur in a 2-1 victory, 2 days before Christmas. A header from Igor Angulo deep into stoppage time was the difference between both sides. They have then gone onto win against Hyderabad and draw with SC East Bengal. With the league nearing towards the business end of the competition, Goa will look to consolidate their place in the top 4 and with the side well-rested and coming out of a 9-day break, the Gaurs faithfuls will be asking for all 3 points.
Jamshedpur under Owen Coyle has been inconsistent. They have won 3 and lost 3 and have drawn 4 of the 10 games they have played this season. They lost their previous game against a 10-man Blasters side 3-2. They will be looking to build some momentum in their surge for a top 4 finish and they will need to string a series of positive results. Also, an added incentive for Jamshedpur would be to seek redemption for the 1st leg defeat they suffered at the hands of FC Goa. Jamshedpur will look to push for their maiden play-offs appearance while Goa will look to put some daylight between them and the chasing pack, the fans can expect a cracking encounter.
3 Indian Players to look out for
Brandon Fernandes has been a regular for FC Goa under Juan Fernando. The playmaker has settled in well to the style of play of his new manager and has already recorded a couple of assists this season. Brandon had a breakthrough season for Goa last season and will look to achieve the same feat if not better this season and Goa’s push for the title will depend on the form of the 26-year-old.
Mobashir Rahman is having a breakthrough season donning the Jamshedpur Red. The former Tata Football Academy graduate collectively played some 20 games for the club during the last 2 seasons, but he has impressed Coyle enough to play 9 games already this season. A menace down the wings Mobashir is causing problems galore in the rival’s defence and eyes will surely be on the youngster who is looking to impress
Jackichand Singh swapped the FC Goa outfit for Jamshedpur’s before the start of the campaign and seems to have settled well into his new side. He left the Gaurs looking for more responsibility and game time and is getting both in abundance and he is enjoying the challenge. Jackichand has already contributed 3 assists this season but his goals column is still at 0 and he will look to break the deadlock against his old side.
3 Foreign Players to look out for
When Corominas left Goa for Mallorca to join Atletico Baleares, there was concern over where the goals would come from. Came along Igor Angulo and boy did he bring goals along with him. Soon FC Goa wasn’t missing Coro anymore. With 9 goals in 10 games, Angulo has already captured the imaginations of Indian football fans and is the leading goal scorer in the league at the moment. He got the winner when the two sides met during the 1st Leg and will love to do it again.
While Goa lost players like Boumous, Jahouh, Fall and Coro, Edu Bedia pledged his loyalty to the Gaurs. The heartbeat of Goa’s midfield, Bedia is once again pulling the strings from the centre of midfield and his strikers upfront are reaping the benefits. Edu Bedia has played 769 passes this season 100 more than Dimas Delgado who is second on the most passes list. If Goa wants a repeat of their 2-1 victory, Bedia will once again have to be instrumental.
Valskis might have moved from Chennaiyin to Jamshedpur but he hasn’t forgotten his scoring boots behind. Having scored 8 goals in 10 games, the Lithuanian is pushing Angulo for the Golden boot. Last year’s top scorer, Valskis and his form in front of goal will be very important to Coyle. Coyle is looking to guide the side from Jharkhand to their first-ever play-offs appearance and will need more of Valskis’ goals if he wishes to achieve that.
Team News and Injuries
Both FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC will have the luxury of having the full extent of their squad available to them. No players are running the risk of missing out tonight’s game due to suspension or injury.
FC Goa vs Jamshedpur FC Head to Head
FC Goa and Jamshedpur have met each other on 7 occasions and the Gaurs have taken home all 3 points in 4 games while Jamshedpur has done it in 2, the remaining game ended in a goalless stalemate. This fixture produces goals and while Jamshedpur has scored 4 past FC Goa in 2018, Goa returned the favour by scoring 5 past the Red Miners in 2019. They faced off against each other only 3 weeks back. Eze gave Jamshedpur the lead before Angulo equalised from the spot halfway through the second half. Angulo made the headlines when he scored a 95th-minute winner to break the deadlock deep into stoppage time when it seemed like that the points would be shared.
Predicted Lineup
FC Goa (4-4-2): Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Seriton Fernandes, James Donachie, Ivan Gonzalez, Saviour Gama, Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Bedia, Brandon Fernandes, Romario Jesuraj, Jorge Ortiz, Igor Angulo
Jamshedpur FC (4-3-3): Rehenesh TP (GK), Laldinliana, Stephen Eze, Peter Hartley, Ricky, Aitor Monroy, Mobashir Rahman, Alex Lima, Jackichand Singh, Aniket Jadhav, Nerijus Valskis.
Predicted Result
The neutrals can expect an exciting game and both teams will look to get a positive result out of this game and when you have strikers like Valskis and Angulo well its safe to say there will be goals. Owen Coyle could pull off a victory in a game where they go in as underdogs but it looks like it would Juan Fernando who has the last laugh. Score 3-1 in favour of Goa.
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