FC Goa will face their former head coach Sergio Lobera for the third time this season when they welcome Mumbai City FC at the familiar Fatorda Stadium on March 5, Friday, after the Gaurs played out a stalemate with Hyderabad FC to eliminate the Nizams in the top-four race.
The Islanders, on the other hand, defeated ATK Mohun Bagan to reclaim the top position as Lobera's managed to get into the playoffs yet again.
For FC Goa fans, this could be the perfect opportunity to make things even with Mumbai, who bought star players like Hugo Boumous, Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh and more from the Gaurs last summer. FCG come to the knockout tie as the better side in terms of form as well.
While Mumbai have won twice and lost twice in their last five ISL matches, FC Goa remain unbeaten in the same number of matches. Not only that, but FC Goa have been the better side in the head-to-head as well, leading Mumbai 7-5 in the 16 times they have clashed so far.
FCG also come into this fixture as the more experienced side in the knockout stages of the tournament.
| In Playoffs | ||
| FC Goa | Metrics | Mumbai City FC |
| 12 | Matches | 4 |
| 3 | Wins | 1 |
| 3 | Draws | 1 |
| 6 | Losses | 2 |
Despite Mumbai buying a large chunk of the proven firepower in ISL, they have scored just four more goals than Goa in the entire tournament. Interestingly, the clash could be a story of two different halves.
| Half Scored | |||
| Goals Scored | First Half | Second Half | Total |
| FC Goa | 14 | 17 | 31 |
| Mumbai City FC | 20 | 15 | 35 |
| Half Conceded | |||
| Goals Conceded | First Half | Second Half | Total |
| FC Goa | 10 | 13 | 23 |
| Mumbai City FC | 9 | 9 | 18 |
Despite finishing nine points above FC Goa in the ISL points table this season, Mumbai have never really dominated the Gaurs in the league stages. While the first fixture between the two this season ended in a narrow 1-0 win for the Islanders, the return fixture saw Goa managing a stunning 3-3 draw against MCFC.
Feature Image Courtesy: Website/ISL
