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Defending champions Atletico de Kolkata host table toppers FC Goa at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday. Atletico are unbeaten in three games, and are currently third in the Indian Super League standings while FC Goa are unbeaten in their last four games.
Atletico won their last game against Chennaiyin FC while FC Goa registered the biggest win in Indian Super League history as they beat Mumbai City FC 7-0 in their last game. But FC Goa have failed to beat Atletico de Kolkata in five previous attempts since the inaugural season of the ISL.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Live Telecast: Star Sports 2 & 3, Star Sports HD2 & HD3
Live Streaming: starsports.com
Date and Time: 22 November 2015 – 19:00 IST
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Team News
Atletico de Kolkata boss Antonio Habas confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Helder Postiga is still not fully fit despite training with the team. It is unlikely that he will start as he was even left out of the squad against Chennaiyin FC. Javi Lara is also out due to injury but Ofentse Nato has returned after playing for the Botswana national team during the international break.
Following the return of Nato, Habas might once against pair him with Tiri in the defence. Jewel Raja might start in midfield alongside skipper Borja Fernandez while Iain Hume might start up front after he found his goal scoring touch recently. The likes of Sameehg Doutie, who came up with a man of the match performance in the last game, and Jamie Gavilan are also expected to retain their place in the starting XI.
FC Goa have no fresh injury concerns which means the majority of the team that played against Mumbai City is likely to be retained by Zico. Hat-trick heroes Dudu and Thongkhosiem Haokip are expected to start and so is former Atletico de Kolkata player Joffre.
Narayan Das might be brought back to the team and Zico might shift to a defensive back four again. Leo Moura and Jonatan Lucca are also expected to start in the middle of the park.
Probable starting XIs
Atletico de Kolkata (4-2-3-1): Amrinder, Anto, Nato, Tiri, Fernandes, Borja, Raja, Doutie, Gavilan, Baljit, Hume
FC Goa (4-2-3-1): Kattimani, Gaikwad, Lucio, Arnolin, Das, Lucca, Moura, Haokip, Joffre, Romeo, Dudu
Key Battles
Iain Hume vs Gregory Arnolin
Iain Hume has found his goal scoring touch again having scored 5 goals already this season. The Canadian striker is also the most fouled player in the Indian Super League this season. His tireless and direct running might make the job for Arnolin a bit difficult, but the defender has also been in great form this season.
Arnolin has played every minute in the Indian Super League so far and he has been instrumental in FC Goa’s success in the tournament this season. The former international has kept three clean sheets for his side, made an impressive 35 tackles, 7 interceptions and won 30 aerial duels for Zico’s team.
Dudu vs Tiri
Dudu scored a hat-trick in the last game against Mumbai City and is proving to be a great replacement for the injured Darryl Duffy. He has the physical strength to get the better of the defenders while he also has pace and trickery in his locker. Tiri, who has been the best defender for Atletico de Kolkata this season, has a major job at hand to keep the Nigerian international silent throughout the 90 minutes.
Prediction
FC Goa have failed to beat Atletico de Kolkata in the five times they have faced each other, but the league leaders have enough firepower to get all the three points in Kolkata and extend their lead at the top of the ISL table.
Predicted score: Atletico de Kolkata 0-2 FC Goa
