Goa vs Kerala Blasters: Preview and Prediction
Goa and Kerala Blasters will lock horns in ‘Match 109’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Athletic Stadium on Sunday. While the Gaurs are already out of the semi-final race, the Tuskers may or may not have to grind out a favorable result in this match, depending on the outcome of Saturday’s tie between Mumbai City and Hyderabad.
Former head coach Juan Ferrando departing at a crucial stage, key players being unavailable for important matches and the youngsters not living up to their potential – all of these factors had curbed Goa’s progress this season. They are toiling at the eighth position of the league wings, having bagged 18 points from 19 matches.
On the other hand, Kerala Blasters has looked like a team competent enough to contest for the title after a long time. They are occupying fourth place in the standings, with 33 points to their name from 19 matches.
Current Form
Nothing has worked out well for Goa in recent times. They are one of the two teams to have lost all of their last three matches, with Chennaiyin giving them company. The Gaurs will come into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Mumbai City.
Before facing the Islanders, Derrick Pereira’s men fought hard against a formidable Hyderabad team, but it was ultimately insignificant as they lost 3-0, while the preceding game saw them losing out to ATK Mohun Bagan by a 2-0 margin.
The Kerala Blasters camp will be high on confidence coming into this match, as in their last two fixtures, they have registered consecutive victories, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team handed defending champions Mumbai City a 3-1 defeat in their last match.
The preceding game saw the Tuskers emerging as 3-0 winners in the Southern Derby against Chennaiyin. These two triumphs have got Kerala Blasters’ campaign back on track after a 2-1 defeat against Hyderabad.
Head to Head Record
When it comes to head-to-head records, it is a landslide in favor of Goa. They have won nine of fifteen matches against Kerala Blasters, while the Tuskers have had the last laugh only thrice. The remaining three fixtures ended in draws.
One such draw was played out earlier this season, where fans witnessed an end-to-end 2-2 thriller. Jeakson Singh and Adrian Luna were on target for Vukomanovic’s team, while goals from Jorge Ortiz and Edu Bedia helped the Gaurs rescue a point.
Team News
Having served his suspension, Edu Bedia could return in the Goa starting XI
Pereira is likely to make five changes to the team that lost 2-0 against Mumbai City. Edu Bedia will be available for selection after serving his one-match suspension and he is likely to take up Princeton Rebello’s place in the midfield.
However, the Indian tactician will then need to balance his overseas count, possibly by sacrificing Dylan Fox for Anwar Ali. Besides that, Nongdongba Naorem, Muhammad Nemil and Jorge Ortiz are likely to come in for Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Devendra Murgaonkar and Airam Cabrera respectively.
Depending upon the availability of players, Vukomanovic is expected to either field the same starting XI that won 3-1 against Mumbai City or make one change. Ayush Adhikari is perhaps the only player who did not look convincing against the Islanders.
While he did not create even a solitary chance, the midfielder could only get 30 touches of the ball. He could be replaced by Jeakson, who scored in the previous outing against the Goa, provided the latter recovers from his injury in time.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Goa (4-2-3-1): Naveen Kumar; Seriton Fernandes, Anwar Ali, Ivan Gonzalez, Aiban Dohling; Muhammad Nemil, Edu Bedia; Nongdongba Naorem, Alberto Noguera, Makan Chothe; Jorge Ortiz.
Kerala Blasters (4-4-2): Prabhsukhan Gill; Sandeep Singh, Ruivah Hormipam, Marko Leskovic, Sanjeev Stalin; Sahal Abdul Samad, Jeakson Singh, Puitea, Adrian Luna; Jorge Pereura Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez.
Prediction
Goa might have the superiority on head-to-head statistics, but in terms of current form, they have been nowhere near Kerala Blasters. Hence, we have predicted a 3-1 scoreline in the Tuskers’ favor.