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FC Goa will welcome Delhi Dynamos FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Goa on Wednesday. The Gaurs, who had a flying start to their campaign, are on a poor run of form and have remained winless in their last four matches. Their reputation of being a free-scoring side has also taken a beating as they have failed to score in their last two ties, suffering defeats in both. Against a faltering Delhi unit, Goa will be keen to bounce back and mount a challenge for a place in the semifinals.
The Lions, meanwhile, are rooted to the bottom of the league table for a while. But the Miguel Ángel Portugal-coached side has shown signs of improvement in the past few games. They have won two of their past five games, drawn one and lost the other two. And a win against Goa on Wednesday will see them leapfrog ATK and NorthEast United FC to eighth.
HEAD TO HEAD
FC Goa 5 – 2 Delhi Dynamos FC (0 Draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)
The 23-year-old has shown much promise on the pitch this season. He has been one of the creative players for Goa and has been one of key members of their attack. Brandon also loves taking on the defenders and testing the goalkeeper. His crisp passing has resulted in him picking up four assists this season and he would look to be at his best when his side hosts Delhi.
Romeo Fernandes (Delhi Dynamos FC)
The 25-year-old winger has been one of the Lions’ most useful players on the flanks. He has used his speed and dribbling abilities to good effect in outfoxing the opposition defence. His positional play is excellent, and he has the knack of coming up with a few good decisive crosses in each game. He will have to be at his best if Delhi is to get a result his former side.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Goa
Sergio Lobera will most likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation, which ensures their attack receives good service from the midfield.
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani
Defenders: Narayan Das, Mohamed Ali, Sergio Juste, Seriton Fernandes
Midfielders: Edu Bedia, Manuel Arana, Brandon Fernandes, Mandar Rao Dessai, Manuel Lanzarote
Forward: Ferran Corominas
Gaurs head coach Lobera on the approach of his team for the final four fixtures of the league stage: “Tomorrow is the first of the four games we are playing as a final. And we have to get three points from that. The motivation would be that if we get the win tomorrow, we will still be depending on ourselves. I think we can achieve something big this year, and we are four wins away from that.”
Delhi Dynamos FC
Miguel Portugal may counter with his own 4-2-3-1 formation, as Delhi look to be clinical in the final third.
Goalkeeper: Sukhdev Patil
Defenders: Sena Ralte, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Munmun Lugun
Midfielders: Matias Mirabaje, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manuel Arana, Paulinho Dias, Vinit Rai
Forward: Kalu Uche
Lions head coach Portugal on the season so far and the plan ahead: “We always played very well, but we ended up losing. That is the problem for my team. But in the last two matches, we again played well, but managed to draw and win respectively. And I have confidence in all my players. The next few matches are all finals for us, and we want to win all the matches.”
KEY STATS
Delhi have recorded just a solitary win in Goa.
Only the Lions have conceded more goals (30) than the Gaurs (26) so far this season.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER
Delhi Dynamos 1 – 5 FC Goa (16th December 2017 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi)
FORM GUIDE
FC Goa: L L D L W
Delhi Dynamos: W D L L W
