FC Goa host ATK in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. The Gaurs were back to their rampant best in a crucial 4 – 0 win over FC Pune City in their last match and will want to hold onto their overall form in the remaining two matches to keep qualification hopes alive. They have never beaten ATK in Hero ISL history and will definitely want to put records straight this time.

Defending champions ATK, on the other hand, are at the end of their worst ever season and are currently at the back of seven winless encounters. They are yet to win under interim head coach Ashley Westwood, who took over the reigns from Teddy Sheringham mid-season. With pride at stake, they would want to bag maximum points from their last two fixtures in the hope of a respectable finish.

HEAD TO HEAD

FC Goa 0 – 3 ATK (6 Draws)

KEY PLAYERS

Mandar Rao Dessai (FC Goa)

The 25-year-old winger has been a major influencer of attacks in the Goa squad. His speed down the flanks has outfoxed many an opposition, and his precise crosses and incisive passing have created innumerable openings for his team. He has two goals and three assists to his name and will look to create an impact against visiting ATK.

Robbie Keane (ATK)

The Irishman, despite having an injury-prone season, has been the top scorer for his team. He has used his experience and goal-poaching skills to good effect and has scored some eye-catching goals with his clinical finishing. Keane has four goals to his name and will look to bag some more when ATK visits Goa.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUP

FC Goa

Sergio Lobera will most likely go with a 4-2-3-1 formation to supply width to the midfield, as Goa would surge forward.

Goalkeeper: Naveen Kumar

Defenders: Narayan Das, Bruno Pinheiro, Sergio Juste, Mohamed Ali

Midfielders: Hugo Boumous, Brandon Fernandes, Pronay Halder, Mandar Rao Dessai, Manuel Lanzarote

Forward: Ferran Corominas

Goa head coach on the season so far and the road ahead: "We fought a lot to reach this point, where qualification at this moment depends on us completely. We have a lot of excitement and we really believe in finishing the work that we started a few months ago. Hopefully, when the next two games are done, our fans would be happy as we would hopefully be competing in the semi-finals."

ATK

Ashley Westwood will probably counter with his own 4-4-2 formation, allowing enough movement in the midfield to aid both attack and defence.

Goalkeeper: Soram Poirei

Defenders: Keegan Pereira, Jordi Montel, Ashutosh Mehta, Prabir Das

Midfielders: Bipin Singh, Conor Thomas, Hitesh Sharma, Jayesh Rane

Forward: Robbie Keane, Martin Paterson

ATK assistant coach Bastab Roy on their opponents of the night: "FC Goa is a good and well-balanced side. They are still in the run for the top-four. So, it is an uphill task for us and we will try to give our best."

KEY STATS

• Goa have scored the most number of goals this season (34), while ATK have scored the second-least (14)
• Goa are yet to defeat ATK in Hero ISL history

LAST ENCOUNTER

ATK 1 – 1 FC Goa (3^rd January 2018 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata)

FORM GUIDE

FC Goa: W D L L D

ATK: L L D L L