Goa vs Mumbai City Preview & Predictions

By Moti Prakash

04 Mar 2021

Moti Prakash 04 Mar 2021

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Goa vs Mumbai City predictions for Friday’s Indian Super League semi-final first leg
The game is being played at Fatorda Stadium
Goa have drawn 7 of their last 9 matches
I'm tipping a draw and BTTS in the first leg
Match preview, statistics, predictions, and latest team news

Goa hold a 7-5 head to head advantage over Mumbai City in previous meetings (Getty Images)

Goa Form

Ten-man Goa did what they needed to do as a 0-0 draw with Hyderabad on the final day sealed their spot in the ISL finals.

The Gaurs needed to avoid defeat in the fourth vs fifth clash, and they did just that in a game devoid of goalscoring chances.

Even the sending off of Spanish midfielder Alberto Noguera did derail their play-off hopes.

Goa are on a 13-game unbeaten run since losing in mid-December, but of them have ended in draws - including six in a row.

Juan Ferrando's side beat Odisha 3-1 and Bengaluru 2-1 to move back into the play-off places prior to the draw with Hyderabad.

Goa Team News

Goa will be without the suspended Albert Noguerra, meaning Jorge Ortiz will get a recall to the starting line-up.

Ivan Gonzalez will also sit out the first leg through suspension after picking up his fourth booking of the season against Hyderabad.

Mumbai City Form

Mumbai City won the Judgement Day decide and the ISL Winners Shields thanks to a 2-0 victory over ATK Mohun Bagan.

A 6-1 win over Odisha in the penultimate fixture ended a two-game losing run, and kept alive hopes of finishing top.

Sergio Lobera's side then finished top and earned a place in the AFC Champions League after beating rivals ATK in a winner-takes-all contest.

The Islanders scored after just three minutes through Mourtada Fall and doubled the advantage with a Bartholomew Ogbeche goal.

The victory saw the long-time league leaders secure top ranking in the ISL finals.

Mumbai City Team News

Sergio Lobera has a selection dilemma with midfielder Hugo Boumous available again after serving a four-match suspension.

Winger Vignesh Dakshinamurthy also returns from a one-game ban.

Cy Goodard was the unlucky man in being left out of the starting line-up against ATK. Adam Le Fondre or Bartholomew Ogbeche are at risk to accommodate the return of Boumous.

Head to Head

Goa lead the head-to-head against Mumbai City 7-5 with four draws between the sides.

During the regular season, Mumbai City won 1-0 win thanks to Adam Le Fondre's 95th minute penalty.

That was followed by a thrilling 3-3 draw as Ishan Pandita scored an equaliser for Goa six minutes into added time.

Goa vs Mumbai City Predictions

Mumbai City will be riding high after finishing top and qualifying for the AFC Champions League. But they come up against a Goa side which hasn't lost since mid-December.

A draw is the value in the first leg and both teams to score - although don't expect a repeat of the six goal thriller from four weeks ago.

Goa are unbeaten in their last 13 matches (Indian Super League).
Goa have drawn 7 of their last 9 matches (Indian Super League).
Goa have seen BTTS in 12 of their last 14 matches (Indian Super League).
Goa are unbeaten in 6 of their last 8 matches against Mumbai City (Indian Super League).
Mumbai City have won their last 2 matches (Indian Super League).
Mumbai City have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 8 matches (Indian Super League).