A faltering Delhi Dynamos FC host a rampant FC Goa side in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Saturday. After winning their opening match of the season, the Lions have succumbed to three consecutive defeats that has left their top four aspirations in tatters. They will be looking for a turn of events, starting with the encounter against Goa. The Gaurs, meanwhile, have notched up three wins from their four fixtures and are the only team to inflict a defeat on table-toppers Bengaluru FC. Coming off the back of an emphatic 5-2 win over Kerala Blasters FC, Goa will want to keep their momentum going in a tricky away fixture.

HEAD TO HEAD

Delhi Dynamos FC 2 – 4 FC Goa

KEY PLAYERS

Lallianzuala Chhangte (Delhi Dynamos FC)

The 20-year-old has been one of the few bright spots for his team this season. His quick runs on the flanks have pierced the opposition defence on many an occasion, and he has also the ability to pick out accurate passes. With a goal and an assist to his name already, Chhangte is one of those players who constantly wants to be involved in the game and will be a key figure in his team’s clash against Goa.

Manuel Lanzarote (FC Goa)

While the spotlight has been mostly on Ferran Corominas, fellow Spaniard Manuel Lanzarote has been silently influencing and orchestrating Goa’s performances time and again. Four goals and three assists already prove his consistency and proficiency. Whether it is coming up with crucial strikes, or feeding important passes, Lanzarote has most things covered. Goa’s attack will once again depend on him and Corominas when they visit Delhi.

POTENTIAL STARTING LINEUPS

Delhi Dynamos FC

Miguel Portugal may deploy his team in a slightly narrow 4-1-4-1 formation as Delhi look to optimize their midfield against Goa.

Goalkeeper: Sukhdev Patil

Defenders: Munmun Lugun, Pratik Chowdhary, Gabriel Cichero, Pritam Kotal

Midfielders: Lallianzuala Chhangte, Paulinho Dias, Vinit Rai, Jeroen Lumu, Guyon Fernandez

Forward: Kalu Uche

Delhi captain, Kalu Uche on his team’s mentality ahead of the fixture: “As a team, we win together and we lose together. We try to do everything that the coach says. Talking about the lack of goals, we are working every day and there is a lot of improvement and it is going to be a different game.”

FC Goa

Sergio Lobera will probably use the 4-2-3-1 formation with a lot of emphasis on getting forward from midfield and the wings.

Goalkeeper: Laxmikant Kattimani

Defenders: Narayan Das, Mohamed Ali, Bruno Pinheiro, Seriton Fernandes

Midfielders: Brandon Fernandes, Ahmed Jahouh, Edu Bedia, Manuel Lanzarote, Mandar Rao Dessai,

Forward: Ferran Corominas

Lobera on tightening their defence for the upcoming fixture: “It’s true that we have to improve certain aspects of our game and defence is certainly one of those aspects. Obviously defence is an area of concern and ultimately, it’s very important to tighten the defence.”

KEY STATS

• In each season, one of the teams have completed the double over the other. Goa prevailed for the first couple of seasons, while Delhi reigned supreme in the previous one.
• This fixture has produced 23 goals so far, with an average of just under four goals per match.

LAST ENCOUNTER

Delhi Dynamos FC 5 – 1 FC Goa (27^th November 2016 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi)