Highflying FC Goa host fellow semifinal hopefuls Northeast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Monday, in match 46 of the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League.
Goa are currently third in the league table and can leapfrog Atletico de Kolkata to second place, if they win this tie. The Highlanders, on the other hand, are sixth but have the opportunity to move up to third, if they emerge on top today.
Both teams enter this match on the back of comprehensive 3-0 home wins in their last fixture. Goa beat Kerala Blasters, thanks to a Miroslav Slepicka brace, while Northeast shocked league leaders Chennaiyin FC, courtesy of two goals from Massamba Lo Sambou.
This fixture is Goa's last home match of the group stages, and with trips to Kolkata and Chennai - who are both above them in the table, head coach Zico knows the importance of getting all three points today, if they are to make it to the semifinals.
"I hope that this won't be the last game we play here for this season. I hope we have at least one more chance. It has been amazing. We love this ground and the crowds who come in to support us. They add the extra man to our squad," the ISL website quoted Brazilian as saying.
"We are looking to honour the fans by giving it our all. We just want to give this gift to them. I've told my players what this crowd means and that we should do this for them."
Meanwhile, the Highlanders' head coach Ricki Herbert played down the importance of winning this contest, saying the Northeast are capable of triumphing in the remaining two fixtures, even if they lose to Goa.
"I don't think anybody is really hard to beat in this league. All the teams are probably in the same mix," the Kiwi tactician stressed.
"Every team has had their ups and downs in the competition and with three games to go, everyone is still in contention for a spot in the knockout stages. We're just looking at the Goa game as another fixture. It's a game we want to win."
The reverse fixture at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Guwahati two weeks ago had ended in a 1-1 draw.
Team News
Goa: Defender Youness Bengelloun remains sidelined with a knee injury.
Northeast: Wing-back Joan Capdevila is suspended, after receiving a red card against Chennai.
Probable Lineups
Goa: Seda; Debrata Das, Pinheiro, Gregory, Arnolin, Narayan Das; Bikramjit; Romeo, Amiri, Santos, Mandar; Slepicka
Northeast: Rehenesh; Garcia, Massamba, Josl; Boithang, Kondwani, Felipe de Castro, Koke, Adinga; Seminlen, Boro
Where to Watch Live
The match is scheduled for a 7 pm IST (1.30 pm GMT, 8.30 am ET) start with live coverage in India on Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3, Star Gold, Asianet Movies, Suvarna Channel and Jalsha Movies. Viewers can also watch the match via free live streaming online on Starsports.com.
US viewers can live stream the action on FoxSoccer2Go, while European viewers can catch the action live on Eurosport or their online Player.
South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa audience can catch the ISL game live onSuperSport or their online option. Australia viewers can catch the match live on Fox Sports or via their live video option online. Middle East and North Africa viewers can watch the game on Bein Sports or via live streaming on Bein Sports Connect.
