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Last season's Indian Super League runners-up FC Goa begin their 2019-20 ISL campaign on Wednesday at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, as they host Chennaiyin FC with both teams heading into a new season full of hope, and harbouring big ambitions.
Incidentally, it was the same fixture that began these two teams' respective ISL journies back in 2014. On that night, Chennaiyin ran out 2-1 winners, with Balwant Singh becoming the first-ever Indian to score in the ISL.
In recent years, it has been a lot closer between the two sides, although Goa blitzed Chennaiyin in the two games last season, scoring four goals across the two games and conceding just one.
Ferran Corominas, in particular, was immense last season, scoring in both games against Chennaiyin. Goa only won 1-0 at the Fatorda, but in truth, that could have been a cricket scoreline if they wanted it to be.
Sergio Lobera is not going to change his ways, but John Gregory will look for inspiration, considering that he's a lucky man to still be in the job after last season.
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Match Information
Date: 23 October 2019
Kickoff: 7:30 PM IST
Live Stream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar
Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Goa
Live Commentary: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Team News
There are no injury concerns for either side, but metronomic midfielder Ahmed Jahouh is suspended for Goa, after the red card he picked up in last year's final.
Jeje Lalpekhlua is still on the way back to full fitness after undergoing knee surgery earlier this year, so he is unlikely to be rushed back into action too early.
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Probable Lineups
FC Goa: Mohammad Nawaz, Seriton Fernandes, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Pena, Mandar Rao Desai, Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous, Brandon Fernandes, Jackichand Singh, Seiminlen Doungel, Ferran Corominas
Chennaiyin FC: Vishal Kaith, Edwin Vanspaul, Lucian Goian, Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Dhanpal Ganesh, Anirudh Thapa, Andre Schembri, Rafael Crivallero, Dragos Firtulescu, Lallianzuala Chhangte
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: ISL Form Guide
FC Goa: L-L-W-W-L
Chennaiyin FC: L-D-L-W-L
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Head-to-Head
FC Goa: 6 wins
Chennaiyin FC: 6 wins
Draw: 1
FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Key Players
FC Goa: Ferran Corominas has been his goal-hungry self in pre-season again, and the ISL's all-time top-scorer will be raring to go for a tilt at his third straight Golden Boot award.
Chennaiyin FC: Lucian Goian will captain the side, having moved from Mumbai City FC. Chennaiyin had big woes in defence last season, and against the likes of Coro, Len and Brandon, their defence needs to stand tall, and Goian has got to lead them to do just that.
FC Goa v Chennaiyin FC: Predictions
Although Chennaiyin are expected to show a much better version of themselves this season, Goa will likely have too much for them, even in Jahouh's absence.
Goa are well-drilled, familiar with each other and an unstoppable force at Fatorda. So you cannot look past a home win, here.
Prediction: FC Goa 3-1 Chennaiyin FC
