Hyderabad vs Goa Preview: Goa to make it back-to-back wins

By Rahul Varma

29 Dec 2020

Rahul Varma 29 Dec 2020

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Hyderabad vs Goa preview for the Indian Super League clash from Tilak Maidan Stadium
Goa beat Hyderabad in their two meetings last season
Full match preview and predictions.

FC Goa won both times against Hyderabad last season (Getty Images)

Hyderabad Form

Having started the season with a five-game unbeaten run, Hyderabad have come unstuck in their last two games with successive 2-0 defeats.

Manuel Roca's Hyderabad were beaten by Mumbai City 2-0 as Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Adam Le Fondre goals sealed the points for the league leaders.

It was a repeat last time as Hyderabad went down 2-0 to the previously winless Kerala Blasters on Sunday. Abdul Hakku got the opener and Jordan Murray sealed the win for Kerala.

Hyderabad started the season with a 1-0 win over Odisha before recording three successive draws against Bengaluru (0-0), Jamshedpur (1-1) and ATK Mohun Bagan (1-1).

A second win of the season was secured in an entertaining 3-2 victory over East Bengal. A double from Aridane and a Halicharan Narzary earned that victory.

Goa Form

Goa snatched a 2-1 victory over Jamshedpur with a dramatic Igor Angulo winner in the 95th winner. Angulo had earlier levelled from the penalty spot to cancel out Stephen Eze's opener.

Juan Ferrando's side have now won three of their last three matches. They beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Odisha.

Sandwiched in between were defeats to ATK Mohun Bagan (1-0) and Chennaiyin (2-1). Goa have also lost to Mumbai City and drawn with Bengaluru and NorthEast United this season.

Angulo has been key for last season's semi-finalists with the Spaniard scoring eight of the club's 10 goals this campaign.

Team News

Hyderabad forward Fran Sandaza made his return from injury from the bench in the defeat to Kerala Blasters. Spanish midfielder Lluis Sastre and Australian forward Joel Chianese remain out.

The club have also signed attacking midfielder Roland Alberg on loan from Roda in the Netherland and he could come into contention.

Goa rested midfielder Alberto Noguera as part of the rotation policy that has been used by coach Juan Ferrando throughout the season. He should return with one of Ivan Garrido or James Donachie to drop to the bench.

Head to Head

Goa won both matches against then ISL debutants Hyderabad last season. A 1-0 win at Hyderabad was followed by a 4-1 win at home for Goa as they eventually finished top of the table in 2019/20.

Hyderabad vs Goa Predictions

Goa won both matches last season in Hyderabad's debut campaign in the ISL. They are starting to find their best form and are backed to win against a Hyderabad side that have lost their last two games.