FC Goa and Bengaluru FC will play their respective last matches before the upcoming international break in the ISL 2024 when they lock horns at the Fatorda Stadium on March 14.
The Blues come into this game on the back of a two-match-long winning streak. They have tasted victories against Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC in their previous two clashes, taking them to 21 points, i.e. on level terms with the sixth-placed Jamshedpur FC.
However, the eighth-placed Bengaluru FC has played a game fewer (18) than the Red Miners (19), and hence points from this game will take them straight into the top-six, fending off competition from Jamshedpur FC and Punjab FC (21).
The Gaurs, contrastingly, have 33 points from 18 encounters and are positioned at the fourth spot in the standings. They can get to 36 points with a win, which will equal the tally of the second-placed Mohun Bagan Super Giant, but that also depends on the result of the match between the Mariners and Kerala Blasters FC tonight.
That is regardless of the fact that the Mariners have done so in merely 17 games. FC Goa still can sustain pressure at the top and try to challenge for the League Winners Shield, especially after finding some stability in remaining unbeaten in their previous three games.
What’s at stake?
FC Goa
Historically, the Gaurs haven’t fared well against Bengaluru FC. The Blues have beaten them seven times in the ISL. FC Goa looked in imperious touch against Punjab FC amidst their 3-3 draw on Monday, though.
With Carl McHugh, Noah Sadaoui, and Carlos Martinez netting once each, the team recorded their 54th instance of scoring thrice or more in an ISL match, which is the highest by any team in the history of the competition.
In contrast, Bengaluru FC has done that only 25 times in the ISL. Even their last two wins have come through slender margins, i.e. 2-1 against Hyderabad FC and 1-0 against Kerala Blasters FC.
The Gaurs have been lethal from corners, with McHugh notching the opener through that against Punjab FC. They have scored four goals from corners in ISL 2024, which is only behind Odisha FC (6) in the current campaign.
Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC has defeated FC Goa twice away from home in the ISL over the years, and a win here will equal their record of most victories on the road against any side in the competition (NEUFC – 3).
Contrastingly, the Blues are winless away from home in their previous nine matches. They have drawn thrice and lost six times in the meantime.
A similar result here will lead to Bengaluru FC’s longest such winless run in the ISL. The Blues have scored the second-least goals in the competition this season, joined by Chennaiyin FC at 18 and followed by only Hyderabad FC at nine.
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They perhaps need to explore different opportunities to find the back of the net. For example, they are yet to score from a corner in this campaign, something that should be a cause of concern given that they have excellent set-piece specialists in the form of Javi Hernandez, Sunil Chhetri, amongst others in their ranks.
With a place in the playoffs at stake here, Bengaluru FC should give it their all to pick important points against a higher-ranked opponent this time around.
