FC Goa, without a single point this season, could be in for another fruitless outing when they travel to the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium to take on the might of Atlético de Kolkata.
The hosts themselves haven't had the best of games so far with the much-fancied attack misfiring at times. The absence of marquee Helder Postiga hasn't made it easier on the likes of Iain Hume, Javi Lara, Sameehg Doutie and Postiga's replacement Juan Beloncoso.
Javi Lara has been their best player and barring the Spaniard and Doutie, no other Atlético player has looked like scoring.
Another worry for Jose Molina will be the patchy form of goalkeeper Debjit Majumder who has struggled but will not be dropped due to a restriction in the number of foreigners in an ISL team.
Zico will know that a loss here will make qualification for the semis an uphill task but will know that he is winless in six attempts against the Kolkata outfit.
Goa's marquee Lucio was taken at half-time and Gregory Arnolin may replace the Brazilian in the starting line-up. Robin Singh, fit after a year, could be in line for a first start after the striker was left out of the squad despite being declared fit last time around.
The Gaurs have struggled for goals up front but none of the blame must go to Jofre, who has easily been their best player of their campaign. He will start on the left while Rafael Coelho is expected to start on the right.
Match Facts
Venue: Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, Kolkata
Capacity: 11,800
Time: 7 pm IST
Last meeting: Atlético de Kolkata 4 - 0 FC Goa, November 22, 2015, at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
Head-to-head: Matches played: 6. Atlético wins: 2, Goa wins: 0, Draws: 4
Key Battles
Raju Gaikwad vs Javi Lara: The Indian right-back looked comfortable while taking on Jayesh Rane in his last match. Didn't do much in attacking sense but competent in defence.
Lara has been very influential for ATK in their first three games and will look to create chances for his strikers but can unleash a mean shot himself. Has two goals to his name this season.
Arnab Mondal vs Jofre: Mondal has been Atletico's centre-back for three seasons and has developed as a key player for the first season champions. Has looked solid when called upon.
Jofre, the influential Spaniard, has been one of the few Goa players capable of threatening opposition defences. Didn't have a good game last time around but Zico will count on him to wear down ATK's backline.
Expected line-ups
Atlético de Kolkata: Debjit Majumder; Arnab Mondal, Pritam Kotal, Prabir Das, Henrique Sereno; Borja Fernandez, Javier 'Javi' Lara Grande, Sameehg Doutie, Bikramjit Singh, Iain Hume; Juan Belencoso
FC Goa: Laxmikanth Kattimani; Fulganco Cardozo, Gregory Arnolin, Rafael Dumas, Raju Gaikwad; Sanjay Balmuchu, Richarlyson, Trindade Goncalves; Joffre; Rafael Coelho, Robin Singh