The Gaurs will be facing Hyderabad FC at the GMC Athletic Stadium, Bambolim in the second match of the Super Saturday. After a bad start to the tournament, FC Goa has won their last two matches and they will be looking to make it three in a row against a solid Hyderabad side. The Nizams are in red hot form having had a good spell after losing the first match of the tournament. They will be looking to continue their unbeaten run against the Gaurs.
Crucial three points are up for grabs as both the coaches will look to take all three points from the match.
TEAM NEWS
Brandon Fernandes remains out for this fixture and so does Spanish forward Airam Cabrera has not made any appearance after his injury while there is uncertainty with Redeem Tlang.
The Nizams will be without the services of Halicharan Narzary, Mohammad Yasir, and Souvik Chakrabarti for this game.
Three Indian players to watch out for
Chinglensana Singh
The Indian National team defender is once again having a great season as the first-choice Indian CB for Manolo Marquez. Chinglensana along with Juanan Gonzalez has held the fort high for the Nizams as they have conceded only four goals this season which puts them in second place in the category right below Chennaiyin FC. Sana will be crucial for today’s game against the Gaurs.
Dheeraj Singh
The man who got featured in the AFC Champions League – Team of the tournament has failed to keep a clean sheet in this year’s ISL. He will be pumped up to get his first clean sheet against the Nizams.
Glan Martins
Another Indian who got a call-up from the National Team because of an exceptional season last time around is Glan Martins. The midfielder, now known for his tireless work rate, featured for the Gaurs 15 times last season and played a pivotal role in shielding the defense and sweeping up on counters. Due to his performances in the Indian Super League, he featured in all the six games FC Goa played in the AFC Champions League. Martins’ work-rate and defensive acumen makes him one of the most challenging midfielders to run past in the middle of the park.
Three foreigners to watch out for are :
Bartholomew Ogbeche
The dominance of Big Bart has been the same throughout the last four seasons. Ogbeche has been crucial for the Nizams upfront, scoring five goals in five games this season, and will be looking forward to getting his name on the scoresheet against the Gaurs.
Alberto Noguera
The Spanish midfielder has been instrumental in the Gaur midfield, scoring and assisting when the team needed him the most, he had topped the list in the number of assists last year, this season he has already scored two goals and assisted one in five games, having a passing accuracy of 86%. He will be the key player for Juan Ferrando as he will be looking forward to this former Atletico Madrid player.
Joel Chianese
The Aussie forward has been retained by the Nizams from last season although Joel missed out on a few matches last season due to injuries but played a crucial role in the games he played. He will be a key player for Hyderabad FC in this game too as FC Goa’s attacking style of play will be making the Nizams put a lot of work into both their defensive and offensive play where Joel Chianese gives his best form as seen last season.
Predicted Lineup –
Hyderabad FC
FC Goa
Prediction
It will be a 50-50 battle as both the teams will on the lookout to clinch all 3 points from this fixture, as Hyderabad FC is still an edge ahead because of their current form but the Gaurs can win any match with this talented bunch of boys.
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