Match day 25 of the 2015 Hero Indian Super League (ISL) will feature two teams from the top half of the table as FC Goa host FC Pune City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Friday. FC Pune City currently occupy the summit of the table with 12 points, while FC Goa are not far behind on 10. Pune head into Friday’s encounter on the back of a win against Kerala Blasters FC, whereas Goa found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 score-line when they took on Mumbai City FC on Sunday.

FC Goa so far: W-D-L-W-W-L

FC Pune City so far: W-W-L-W-L-W

Head-to-Head: Both sides registered 2-0 home wins in their meetings last season.

Romeo Fernandes vs Nicky Shorey

Romeo Fernandes has had a rather quiet beginning to Season 2 of the Hero ISL when compared with his Season 1 exploits. Flashes of the pacey winger’s quality, however, were there for all to see in his cameo against Mumbai. Blessed with electrifying pace, Fernandes’ ability to run in behind full-backs and put pinpoint crosses into the box will be a cause of concern for Pune’s attack-minded left-back Nicky Shorey.

Nicky Shorey has been one of the players of the season for Pune this year. Solid in defence and dangerous in attack, Shorey’s last outing for the Stallions was his most impressive performance yet. The Englishman was instrumental in all of Pune’s goal from the left and was rightly adjudged the Hero of the Match for his three assists.

Joffre vs Didier Zokora

The return of Joffre to the starting line-up will be a much-welcomed boost for the Gaurs. The Spaniard has already provided three assists. Dangerous from dead-ball situations, Joffre’s performance will be key to FC Goa’s chances on Friday.

Didier Zokora’s experience and defensive qualities will be called into action on Friday when he is likely to be deployed in a holding midfield role to neutralize the threat offered by Joffre. The perfect defensive shield to protect the Stallions backline, Ivory Coast’s most capped international will have a massive job on his hands as he looks to shut out Goa’s dynamic attacking forces.

Gregory Arnolin vs Kalu Uche

Adored by the Goan faithful, Gregory Arnolin’s dominant presence at the heart of the Gaurs defence is imperative to their chances of winning the game as well as the league. Arnolin has taken the responsibility of leading FC Goa since Season 1 and has done a stellar job at the back. More than capable of getting on the scoresheet himself, Arnolin has made it a habit to find the back of the net routinely since last year and has already headed in one this season from a corner.

Kalu Uche has warded off competition from the likes of Adrian Mutu and Tuncay Sanli to finally make the striker’s position his own for the Stallions. The Nigerian frontman has one of the best conversion rates in Hero ISL 2015, having scored four goals in just three matches for the Punekars.

Friday’s encounter is likely to be decided in midfield with both sides boasting multiple playmakers at the centre of the park who can alter the course of the match in the blink of an eye. FC Pune City will be hoping that the likes of Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Jackichand Singh and Lenny Rodrigues can provide the necessary inspiration to make it back-to-back wins for them. FC Goa, on the other hand, will pin their hopes on the influential Leo Moura and Jonatan Lucca whose vision in midfield will be key for them in attack.

Quotes:

Loss is always difficult…we lost [vs Mumbai City FC], but still we are going to go after this victory, we are going to give everything we have, to try and win the game and if we beat them we’ll again be at the top of the table: FC Goa coach Zico

I’m aware of the kind of football that Zico likes to play and Goa like to play, and the players will be spoken to about it: FC Pune City coach David Platt

Squads:

FC Goa: Elinton Sanchotene Andrade, Luis Barreto, Laxmikant Kattimani, Lucimar Da Silva Ferreira [Lucio] [marquee], Gregory Arnolin, Luciano Sobrosa, Keenan Almeida, Nicolau Colaco, Raju Gaekwad, Debabrata Roy, Narayan Das, Joffre Mateu Gonzalez, Leonardo da Silva Moura [Leo Moura], Jonatan Lucca, Denson Devdas, Pronay Halder, Bikramjit Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira, Victor Simoes de Oliveira, Darryl Duffy, Thongkoisep Haokip, Victorino Fernandes, Joaquim Abranches, CS Sabeeth

FC Pune City: Kalu Uche, Adrian Mutu (Marquee Player), Yendrick Ruiz, Wesley Verhoek, Tuncay Sanli, Didier Zokora, James Bailey, Jackichand Singh, Fanai Lalrempuia, Sushanth Mathew, Manish Maithani, Bikash Jairu, Israil Gurung, Eugeneson Lyngdoh, Lenny Rodrigues, Diego Colotto, Roger Johnson, Nicky Shorey, Govin Singh, Gourmangi Singh, Gurjinder Kumar, Pritam Kotal, Dharmaraj Ravanan, Steve Simonsen, Lalit Thapa, Arindam Bhattacharya