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Goa vs East Bengal Preview

By Ramesh Jegatheeswaran

Ramesh Jegatheeswaran

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Goa vs East Bengal predictions for Friday's Indian Super League match at Fatorda Stadium
Goa have drawn 3 of their last 4 matches
East Bengal have drawn 5 of their last 8 matches
Match preview, predictions and latest team news.

Robbie Fowler's East Bengal are tipped for another draw (Getty Images)

Goa Form

Ten-man Goa made it six games unbeaten when holding Kerala Blasters to a 1-1 draw in their last game.

Juan Ferrando's Goa side had Ivan Gonzalez sent off in the second-half against Kerala, with The Gaurs hanging on to earn a third draw in their last four games.

Jorge Ortiz had opened the scoring for Goa before Rahul KP levelled for the Blasters.

Last year's ISL table toppers have beaten Jamshedpur and Hyderabad 2-1 during their unbeaten run. They also thumped Jamshedpur 3-0 in a rematch.

The have also drawn 1-1 with ATK Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

Goa Team News

Goa have injury and suspension problems to contend with ahead of the clash with East Bengal.

Centre-back Ivan Gonzalez was sent off against Kerala Blasters and serves a one-game ban. His defensive partner James Donachie was injured in that game and misses out.

Defenders Aiban Dohling and Mohamed Ali will deputise for the pair.

Ishan Pandita is a doubt with injury, joining fellow midfielder Brandon Fernandes on the list of possible absentees.

Nine-goal striker Igor Angulo managed 45 minutes against Kerala but he has also been struggling for fitness.

East Bengal Form

Robbie Fowler's East Bengal suffered a first defeat in eight games when going down to league leaders Mumbai City 1-0.

Mourtada Fall headed home the only goal of the game to end East Bengal's unbeaten run, which dated back to mid-December.

East Bengal had drawn five of their previous seven matches. They ended level with Kerala Blasters (1-1 and 1-1), Chennaiyin (2-2 and 0-0) and Goa (1-1).

They had also beaten Odisha 3-1 in a bottom of the table clash and Bengaluru 1-0.

East Bengal Team News

Ajay Chhetri returns after serving a one-match suspension with the midfielder set to replace Harmanpreet Singh.

Bright Enobakhare and Aaron Amadi-Holloway were the two overseas stars left on the bench against Mumbai City. They could return in the search for goals.

East Bengal have signed goalkeeper Subrata Paul on loan from Hyderabad for the rest of the season. Sankar Roy has headed in the opposite direction.

Abhishek Ambekar has left the squad to join Sudeva Delhi FC in the I-League. Mohammed Irshad and Samad Ali Mallick have both joined RoundGlass Punjab FC.

Head to Head

These two sides played out a 1-1 draw in their first ever meeting in the Indian Super League three weeks ago.

Bright Enobakhare opening the scoring in the 79th minute for 10-man East Bengal, who had Danny Fox sent off. Devendra Murgaokar levelled two minutes later.

The previous clash between Goa and East Bengal came in the Hero Super Cup in 2018. East Bengal were 1-0 winners of that cup tie.

Predictions

Goa have injury problems, particuarly in defence. That should help East Bengal end their search for a goal, having drawn blanks in their last two games.

These two sides drew 1-1 at the start of the month and another stalemate is on the cards.