As the season reaches the midway mark, the division is shaping up into three groups, the ones fighting for the title, the mid-table teams hoping for a promotion spot and the group that will be fighting off relegation. This week is crucial to the big game between Horizons and Parikrma taking place; the result could open up the title race, or one of those teams might start to look like favourites. GW 5 takes place at FSV Arena on December 4.
8:00 AM – Samba FC v Project 7
The first game of the day has Samba taking on Project 7 in the early kick off with both teams needing a win desperately. Samba started the campaign with a win but have since fallen off while Project 7 are still to pick up a win. Samba will be looking to get out of their defensive shell and play a more open game while Project 7 have been playing well but the results haven’t fallen their way. We expect this match to be a high scoring game.
Players to watch: Amol Gamre (Samba FC), Sandeep Kudva (Project 7)
Crystal Ball: Samba FC (2) – (3) Project 7
9:30 AM – Gremio FC v Yataghan Internazionale
Next, in-form Gremio taken on struggling Yataghan in the 9:30 kickoff. Yataghan has lost back to back games after their impressive win over RDFC in GW 2 and will be looking to getting back to winning way, but they come up against a strong Gremio squad. Historically this matchup produced some entertaining games, and we expect the same this Sunday too. Both teams cant afford to drop any point albeit for different reasons, but a draw looks likely.
Players to watch: Hayder Halangy (Gremio FC), Kevin George (Yataghan Internazionale)
Crystal Ball: Gremio FC (2) – (2) Yataghan Internazionale
11:00 AM – FC Kougen Kikou v Supernova FC
Kougen Kikou go head to head with Supernova in the next game. Both teams have picked back-to-back wins and will be looking to continue their streak. Dropped points for Supernova could prove costly for their title challenge while a win for FCKK will almost guarantee safety from the relegation battle. An early goal for either side could determine how the game plays out, but we do expect Supernova to come out on top.
Players to watch: Yuichi Hirai (FC Kougen Kikou), Prince Carl (Supernova FC)
Crystal Ball: FC Kougen Kikou (1) – (2) Supernova FC
12:30 PM – FC Bengal v Rare Dare FC
The fourth match of the day features FC Bengal and Rare Dare FC. Bengal fell to Gremio last game, and their title hopes have become more slender, but a win here could reignite those hopes. RDFC are still without a win, and things are looking bleak for the team that won the Most Improved Team last season, but they were in a similar position last season before a string of wins changed their fortunes, can we expect the same this time around? This should be a highly competitive game with a draw likely.
Players to watch: Adam B (FC Bengal), Adarsh AX (Rare Dare FC)
Crystal Ball: FC Bengal (3) – (3) Rare Dare FC
2:15 PM – Parikrma FC v Horizons FC
Next up we have the game of the weekend, which is a showdown between title rivals Horizons and defending champions Parikrma. Both teams are yet to drop points, but with certainty, we can say one of them will have this weekend. Horizons have been in dominant form brushing aside all their opponents while Parikrma have only conceded a goal in 4 games. A tight contest looks to be on the cards and a loss for either of them could them at a severe disadvantage come end of the season.
Players to watch: Nikhil Gopal (Parikrma FC), Magesh D (Horizons FC)
Crystal Ball: Parikrma FC (1) – (1) Horizons FC
3:45 PM – Flipkart FC v Mavericks FC
The final game of the day has Flipkart taking on Mavericks. Flipkart picked up their first win last gameweek when they beat Yataghan and will be looking to continue that form while Mavericks have tapered off week after week to currently sit at the bottom.
Flipkart have a strong attack force, and they will look to stamp their mark early in the game while Mavericks defence has been much improved since last season. If Mavericks can hold off the initial onslaught, they could just nick a win here.
Players to watch: Kartik Sah (Flipkart FC), Kavish Bakshi (Mavericks FC)
Crystal Ball: Flipkart FC (2) – (1) Mavericks FC
