Bangalore: Bengaluru FC and Sporting Clube de Goa will look to climb to the second position in the points table when they compete against each other for the first time in a crucial I-League match, here tomorrow.
Both the teams have 14 points from eight matches so far and a win tomorrow at the Bangalore Football Stadium will help them consolidate their position in the league chart.
The hosts have struggled to find their feet in away fixtures with only a solitary point to show from three games and they would look to reverse their fortunes on the home ground. Bengaluru FC have won four out of their first five games here.
"We want to win every match we compete in. So, that makes no difference where we play, we always look to win," said Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood.
"Sporting Clube de Goa is one of those genuine teams which is laying their claim for the title. So, it is important we go back to our performance and see what we can do with the result," Westwood added.
The hosts will take the field without their defender Darren Caldeira, who is suffering from a groin injury.
"Everybody else is fit and raring to go," said the coach.
Sporting Clube de Goa, on the other hand, would be looking to finish their season on a high after surviving the relegation threat.
"We have come here to win and the team is shaping up very well. Bengaluru FC is a good team but we are focusing on our game and surely we will come out good," said visting coach Oscar Bruzon.
The Goans have done a fine job ever since the taking over of Bruzon and caused few upsets in the league as they were the only team to defeat Pune FC, which lost the only game this season. "The morale of the team is high after defeating Pune FC and sharing honours with East Bengal. We know our strengths and weaknesses. The team is very confident," said Bruzon.
Even the visitors are facing injuries problems.
"Midfielders Macroy Peixote, Stephene Barreto and Joseph Pereira are injured," the coach said.
