With hopes of qualifying for the semifinal playoffs hanging by a thread, Bengaluru FC (BFC) will want nothing less than three points when it meets Odisha FC in the ISL at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Monday.
The twin defeats to Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC have left Marco Pezzaiuoli’s men in sixth place (23 points from 17 matches), four points adrift of fourth-placed Kerala Blasters, despite having played a game more. One more loss will virtually eliminate the side from the race.
BFC will welcome left-back Roshan Naorem, who has assisted six goals this season, after a suspension. But it will miss goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu through illness and midfielder Suresh Wangjam because of ankle trouble, which is most likely to end his season. Ashique Kuruniyan and Jayesh Rane are yet to recover from injuries.
