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Defending champions ATK are all set to welcome high-flying FC Goa in their 3rd home game and first ISL game of 2018 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Historically, FC Goa have never managed to defeat the Kolkata based club. However, ATK have beaten them thrice in nine encounters, the rest have been stalemates.
ATK will be aiming to extend their winning streak of two games. They have also defeated Delhi Dynamos in their last game at same venue, which was their first home win of the season. More importantly, ATK have managed to keep clean-sheets in last two games and will be high on confidence.
On the other side, FC Goa’s winning streak of three game have been broken by FC Pune City in their last game. It was the only occasion this season where Gaurs have failed to find the back of the net even once. FC Goa will be looking to bounce back quickly and start the year on a positive note.
ATK
ATK head coach Teddy Sheringham seems to be quite happy with the performance of the team in last couple of games but considers FC Goa the team to beat in this season. Having played two less games than top 4 teams, he doesn’t feel his team is far behind being at number seven in the league table and is happy with the progress so far.
With no injury concerns with the side, just one change is expected in form of Bipin Singh or Rupert Nongrum replacing Jayesh Rane in the starting XI. The Englishman is likely to field a 4-1-4-1 formation to keep a balance between attack and defence.
ATK probable starting XI: Debjit, Prabir, Anwar, Thorpe, Ashutosh, Thomas, Taylor, Rupert/Bipin, Zequinha, Hitesh, Keane.
FC Goa
FC Goa doesn’t seem to be too worried about their defeat in the last game after three back-to-back victories. Despite the loss, the Gaurs assistant coach Derrick Pereira was pretty much satisfied with the performance of the team against the Stallions and expects them to play with the similar intensity against ATK.
Despite coming to Kolkata at the back of a defeat, FC Goa are not expected to make alterations to their starting XI this time around. The Gaurs head coach Sergio Lobera is expected to field his favoured formation of 4-2-3-1 to control the ball in mid-field.
FC Goa probable starting XI: Kattimani, Das, Ali, Bruno, Seriton, Bedia, Jahouh, Brandon, Mandar, Lanzarote, Corominas.
Prediction
ATK 2-2 FC Goa
Considering the recent form of both sides, we are not expecting any team to take home all 3 points tonight. However, this is going to be an entertaining game for the fans with a decent number of goals in the game.
