The third match of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season will witness the highly anticipated FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda in Goa on Sunday, November 22.
Both FC Goa and Bengaluru FC were knocked out in the semi-finals of ISL 2019-20 by Chennaiyin FC and ATK respectively. While Chennaiyin defeated Goa 6-5 (on aggregate) in the two-legged semis, Bengaluru FC lost 3-2 on aggregate to eventual champions ATK. Watch FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC live on streaming and on TV.
The Gaurs will hope that they begin the Juan Ferrando era by winning the coveted ISL title this time around.
Interestingly, under former head coach Sergio Lobera, FC Goa had accumulated the maximum number of goals in the competition last season.
On the other hand, Carles Cuadrat’s Bengaluru FC will hope to replicate the form they had shown in the 2018-19 ISL season when BFC went on a league-record 11-match unbeaten run to claim their maiden ISL title.
FC Goa squad
FC Goa finished at the top of the ISL 2019-20 points table and created history by becoming the first side from India to qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League.
However, this season, Goa have parted ways with their star forwards Ferran Corominas and Hugo Boumous and brought in Spanish striker Igor Angulo to replace ISL's all-time top-scorer Coro.
The Gaurs have also signed 28-year-old Spanish right winger Jorge Ortiz and 31-year-old central midfielder Alberto Noguera.
FC Goa will bank on their midfielders Edu Bedia and Lenny Rodrigues to provide them with some stability in the midfield.
India star midfielder Brandon Fernandes will also need to put in some consistent performances in order to help Goa secure their maiden title.
Meanwhile, FC Goa have also roped in Redeem Tlang, who had an incredible season for NorthEast United FC last season.
Bengaluru FC squad
The 2018-19 ISL champions will once again depend on their talisman Sunil Chhetri to help them secure the coveted ISL title.
Following the departures of defender Alberto Serran and Raphael Augusto, the Blues have signed Brazilian winger Cleiton Silva, Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth and Spanish defender Fran Gonzalez.
Bengaluru FC have also secured the services of young defenders, including Ajith Kumar from Chennai City FC, Wungngayam Muirang from Gokulam Kerala FC and Joe Zoherliana from Aizawl FC.
FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC predicted XI
FC Goa predicted starting XI: Mohammad Nawaz, Seriton Fernandes, Ivan Gonzalez, James Donachie, Saviour Gama, Edu Bedia, Lenny Rodrigues, Seiminlen Doungel, Brandon Fernandes, Jorge Ortiz Mendoza, Igor Angulo
Bengaluru FC predicted starting XI: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke, Fran Gonzalez, Juanan Gonzalez, Ashique Kuruniyan, Erik Paartalu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh, Cleiton Silva, Sunil Chhetri, Kristian Opseth
Where to watch FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC live
The FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC match will be telecast live at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports 1 Hindi as well as the respective HD TV channels in India.
The FCG vs BFC clash will also be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar and Jio TV.
For ISL odds and ISL betting, click here and look for Indian Super League.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter.com / @FCGoaOfficial, @bengalurufc
