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FC Goa host FC Pune City in Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday. The Gaurs are flying high after netting five goals in each of their previous two fixtures and will look to be their usual free-scoring self at home. The Stallions, on the other hand, come off the back of a 3-1 setback at home to Bengaluru FC, and will hope to climb into the top four with a crucial away win. They will miss the services of Baljit Sahni though, who picked up two yellows against the Blues.
HEAD TO HEAD
FC Goa 2–2 FC Pune City (2 draws)
KEY PLAYERS
Ahmed Jahouh (FC Goa)
The Moroccan has been a highly influential player in the middle of the park. He has set up the forwards with his incisive passes and is also a very quick customer. Jahouh also possesses good strength that allows him to bully the opposition, and thus is useful when it comes to hold-up play. With an assist to his name, he would want to create the usual impact against Pune.
Adil Khan (FC Pune City)
The 29-year-old midfielder has been one of the most productive players for the Stallions this season. Besides helping his team initiate multiple attacks, he also has a good eye for goal having scored in the last two matches. Khan is also a strong customer, and that allows him to break down the opposition attacks often. Pune’s performance will heavily depend on his services when they visit Goa.
POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS
FC Goa
Sergio Lobera will probably use the 4-2-3-1 formation, with a lot of emphasis on getting forward from midfield and the wings.
Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani
Defenders: Narayan Das, Mohamed Ali, Bruno Pinheiro, Seriton Fernandes
Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Ahmed Jahouh, Edu Bedia, Manuel Lanzarote, Mandar Rao Dessai,
Forward: Ferran Corominas
Gaurs’ head coach on their tactics for the fixture: “It is important for us to get the defensive balance right. Obviously, we are working hard towards it. When working on the field, the team’s objective is to get the defensive balance right. Keeping that in mind, we have to ensure that we keep doing what we are doing, as much as possible.”
FC Pune City
Ranko Popovic would probably line Pune up in the 4-2-3-1 formation, utilizing both the midfield and the flanks to good effect.
Goalkeeper: Vishal Kaith
Defenders: Harpreet Singh, Rafael Lopez, Gurtej Singh, Sarthak Golui
Midfielders: Marcos Tebar, Adil Khan, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Marcelinho, Diego Carlos
Forward: Emiliano Alfaro
Stallions’ head coach on Goa’s Spanish flair: “It’s very nice to have a Spanish influence. The Spanish style is an attacking style and Spanish players are special players. This is a style that I like. They are first on the table and also play good attractive football. It is a challenge for us to show that we can compete with that.”
KEY STAT
The encounters between the teams are balanced well. The first season saw each win their home fixtures, the second season they drew both their matches and the third season each picked up an away win.
LAST ENCOUNTER
FC Pune City 0–1 FC Goa (3rd November 2016 at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune)
