AGENCIES, BENGALURU: FC Goa have climbed to the top of the Indian Super League ladder but whether they manage to stay there remains to be seen as they take on Bengaluru FC in an engrossing 'top of the table' clash, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, here, on Thursday.
FC Goa have a chance to go three points clear of Bengaluru FC at the top, if they manage a win on Thursday. But more than that, the driving factor for Sergio Lobera and team will be a desire to ensure their momentum does not stall with just two rounds to go before the play-offs.
The Gaurs are high on confidence after a six-game unbeaten run in which they haven't conceded a goal in the last five. Given the troubles FC Goa have had with their defensive organisation earlier in the season, this augurs well for Lobera.
In fact, FC Goa have the best attacking record so far this season (35 goals scored) and the joint-best defensive record (17 goals allowed). The likes of Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena have been key in Goa's defensive improvement.
FC Goa have the aura of a well-oiled outfit that is firing collectively. They will fancy their chances against Bengaluru FC who are not in the best of forms. Their rivals, Bengaluru, secured just one win from their last five matches and qualified for the play-offs largely to their brilliant run of form in the initial part of the season. They have now lost momentum and the top spot in the league.
Coach Carles Cuadrat has largely opted to rest his key players and rotate the squad ahead of the play-offs and that has seen the team struggle to find rhythm post the winter break. With a free-flowing FC Goa coming to town, Cuadrat's priority will be to get back to winning ways and start gathering momentum with the play-offs very close.
Bengaluru will also hope that Miku finds his scoring boots soon, given that the Venezuelan is yet to score after coming back from injury.
Captain Sunil Chhetri should start the game against FC Goa after coming off the bench to score a goal in their 3-2 defeat to Delhi Dynamos. Luisma should get a look in for this match. But the Blues will have to deal with a menacing Goan attack without defender Albert Serran who is suspended.
This is one keen battle that nobody will want to miss. Apart from the top spot, there is also the small matter of taking the psychological advantage into the fast-approaching play-offs.