PANJIM:
FC Goa have accrued only a solitary point from their last two encounters at home, going down to Mumbai City FC and then drawing with NorthEast United FC.
Despite scoring five goals in the two matches, the Gaurs were unable to take three points from either team. Sergio Lobera’s charges will be looking to overturn the team’s fortunes in a bid to make it to the top 4. Having already beaten Bengaluru FC in their first home match of the season, the Gaurs will be hoping to complete the double over the league leaders.
Ferran Corominas leads the goal scoring charts with 13 strikes while Venezuelan hitman Miku is only two goals behind him. Indian national team skipper Sunil Chhetri has also been amongst the goals and will be looking to continue that run of form against the Gaurs who are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Skipper Laxmikant Kattimani will start the match in goal for the Gaurs with Ali Mohammed and one of Sergio Juste or Bruno Pinheiro alongside him. Narayan Das will start at left back and Seriton Fernandes returns from suspension to slot into the right back position. The midfield axis of Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh will be needed to create chances for the offensive players and the duo will start together once more.
Hugo Boumous made a good cameo appearance from the bench against the Highlanders and he remains an option from the bench. Ahead of him, Manuel Lanzarote will resume his creative duties. It will be interesting to see which way Sergio goes with Brandon Fernandes out injured. Mandar Rao Dessai will occupy one flank along with Coro. However, the coach could go with either one of Manvir Singh or Liston Colaco in place of Brandon.
