Jamshedpur welcomes GOA in round 5 of the Indian Super League. The visitors have played a game less so after this match they could be topping the table. GOA is second with 10 points and 3-1-0 so far while Jamshedpur is 4`th with 1-4-0 and 7 points so far. Even if both are without a loss till now I think we will see a winner this time.
Jamshedpur finished fifth last season just outside the play-off places but they have the potential for more. The defense needs to be tighter but the problem is that they have mostly Indian players in their back line and they are just not good. Facing the Spanish attacker which are predominant in the league often leaves them exposed. It is usually the case in all of the league. The teams got quality in midfield and attack and poor options in defense. So we can see plenty of goals.
Jamshedpur has 2 draws at home and 3:3 gd. They had a fine position leading 2:0 against Kerala Blasters but failed to hold it and took a 2:2 draw. There is quality in Jamshedpur with the likes of Cidoncha(5-2), Mario Arques(mid.5-1), Carlos Calvo(mid.5-0) and a big name in attack Tim Cahill(4-1). He is past his prime but always a threat in the box.
Goa finished third last season but were eliminated quickly in the play –off. Now they are the most efficient team scoring 14 times in 4 matches but also conceding 5 times. With 3 wins so far they are the team with the best start and with the better part of that 4.75 goal average being in the opponents net.
GOA has the best scorer of the league in Corominas(4-6) but he will be suspended today. It is definitely a big blow for the over bet. Yet there is more than Corominas in GOA as the coach says. If we take out those 6 goals GOA is better than average scoring team. We got Bedia from Zaragoza(mid.3-2), Palanca from Anorthosis(mid.4-2), Boumous from Laval(mid.4-1). Also Pena and Fall bring some confidence in defense. They will be lacking that attacking focus but as we see the whole team creates chances and scoring goals.
Today the hosts miss the midfielder Mobashir Rahman while Goa misses top scorer Ferran Coro.
Potential lineups:
Jamshedpur FC (4-2-3-1): Subrata Paul, Sanjay Balmuchu, Tiri, Dhanachandra Singh, Yumnam Raju, Mario Arques, Memo, Michael Soosairaj, Jerry Mawhmingthanga, Sergio Cidoncha, Tim Cahill
FC Goa (4-2-3-1): Mohammed Nawaz, Seriton Fernandes, Mourtada Fall, Chinglensana Singh, Lenny Rodrigues, Ahmed Jahouh, Jackichand Singh, Edu Bedia, Miguel Hernandez, Hugo Boumous, Manvir Singh
There is dominance of GOA in this clash with all 3 matches won: 1:5, 1:3, 2:1. I do expect at least 3 goals today.