ISL 2018-19: Free-scoring FC Goa lock horns with undefeated Bengaluru FC

FC Goa will take on last seasons runner-up Bengaluru FC in what promises to be an enthralling affair at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday.

The Gaurs lead the Indian Super League (ISL) charts with 16 points from seven games and can further consolidate their position with a win. However, if they suffer a loss at the hands of Bengaluru FC, the club from the south will move to the summit.

The match will also see two supreme attacks go up against each other. While Ferran Corominas and Edu Bedia lead the charge for Goa, Miku and Sunil Chhetri will be Bengaluru's flag bearers.

In Hugo Boumous and Edu Bedia, Goa have two most creative players who have the ability to unlock stubborn defences, and then there is Corominas who gives finishing touches to moves like nobody else.

Bengaluru have been boosted by the news that Chhetri is fit to feature in the game after missing the recent international break with an injury. While Chhetri has four goals to his name, all eyes will be on Miku as well.

The last time the two sides met in Goa in 2017, the hosts triumphed in a seven-goal thriller.

MANAGERS SPEAK: "I think we are facing the best team in the league. I believe tomorrow's match is a big challenge for us. I think tomorrow's match will determine what is going to happen in this league," said FC Goa chief coach Sergio Lobera.

"But I think it is a good chance for us to get three points at home and take the advantage," he added.

"Chhetri has trained in the last two training sessions and as far as we are concerned he is fine now and he can participate in tomorrow's match," said Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat.

"We can say that FC Goa are playing very good football and are scoring a lot of goals so I think it can be a very nice game because our mentality is also to play nice football and score goals," he added.

SQUAD:

FC GOA: The Gaurs have been prolific in front of the goal this season, having scored a whopping 21 goals in seven matches so far. Ferran Corominas has already scored eight goals and is the frontrunner for the Golden Boot this season. He is ably supported by the likes of Edu Bedia, Ahmed Jahouh, Jackichand Singh and Hugo Boumous.

On the flipside, Goa have been vulnerable at the back and have let in 12 goals this season, although their strategy to outscore the opponents has worked well for them so far.

BENGALURU FC: The Blues are undefeated this season and have managed to score 10 goals in the process. However, their real strength lies at the back, having conceded a miserly four goals so far. The defence partnership Albert Serran and Juanan has served the team well.

Talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri suffered an ankle injury but has since reportedly recovered and will be available for the match. Chhetri has scored four of Bengaluru's ten goals this season and his partnership with Miku up front has been instrumental to Bengaluru’s dominant displays this season.

FORM: FC Goa have scored a staggering 21 goals from 42 shots on target this season. They boast the passing accuracy of 77.7 per cent and have managed to keep one cleansheet.

Bengaluru have scored 10 goals from 20 shots on target. They have the passing accuracy of 68.35 per cent and kept two clean sheets.

HEAD-TO-HEAD: FC Goa and Bengaluru FC have faced each other twice with both winning one game apiece.

POSSIBLE 11s:

FC Goa: Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Chinglensana Singh, Mourtada Fall, Seriton Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai (C), Hugo Boumous, Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, Edu Bedia, Jackichand Singh, Ferran Corominas

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Rahul Bheke, Albert Serran, Juanan, Nishu Kumar, Erik Paartalu, Dimas Delgado, Harmanjot Khabra, Sunil Chhetri (C), Udanta Singh, Miku