Title holders Bengaluru FC take on table-toppers FC Goa in mouth-watering ISL contest

Defending champions Bengaluru FC will lock horns with table-toppers FC Goa in their home match of the Indian Super League here on Friday, in what promises to be a cracker of a contest between two top sides of the tournament.

FC Goa are currently leading the standings with 21 points from 10 games, while Bengaluru are at the third spot with 16 points from as many matches.

FC Goa will look to extend their lead at the top while Bengaluru will look to cut the gap between them and Goa to two points.

Bengaluru will have the upper hand in this fixture, having remained unbeaten in five matches against the Gaurs.

"We are going to face one of the best teams in the ISL. It's a big match for us but I think in the situation right now, the pressure is on them. We have five points between us. We can go to Bengaluru with confidence and if we can get three points, the gap will increase to eight points," said Goa assistant coach Jesus Tato.

Goa's task of turning their fortunes around against the Blues will be that much harder as they will be without coach Sergio Lobera on the touchline after he was sent off in their last game against Chennaiyin FC.

A lot would depend on star striker Ferran Corominas, who has been in form lately.

However, the Spanish striker hasn't really come to life when pitted against Juanan and Albert Serran.

Another key player will be Brandon Fernandes who comes into the tie on the back of two goals in as many games and also has five assists to his name. In fact, no Indian has a better goal involvement number than the 25-year-old Goan.

"I think we're doing well this season, quite similar to last season in the way that we're missing our striker for nine games (Miku). We're missing Onwu for 7 games. If you see the top scorers table, every team has a foreigner with goals," said Bengaluru coach Carles Cuadrat.

"In the end, football is about balance and we have been balanced enough to have been fighting for the playoffs in the last two seasons."