FC Goa vs Istiqlol Dushanbe prediction 24.12.2025 | AFC Champions League 2
FC Goa
Kick off:
Date:
Istiqlol Dushanbe
1
4.20
X
3.70
2
1.73
Contents
- Competition: AFC Champions League 2
- Date: Wednesday, 24th December, 2025
- Kickoff: 16:00 UK / 17:00 CET
- Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Margao)
The AFC Champions League 2 group stage is coming to an end. In the final round, Goa (India) will host Istiqlol Dushanbe (Tajikistan). While the Indian side have nothing left to play for after losing all of their matches so far, the Tajikistan team still has a slim chance of qualification. However, to advance, they will need not only a convincing victory in this match but also a heavy defeat for Al Zawraa against Al Nassr in the group's other fixture.
FC Goa vs Istiqlol Dushanbe Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Istiqlol Dushanbe
2 : 0
FC Goa
AFC Champions League Two
The only match between these two teams was in October 2025, in the second round of the AFC Champions League 2. That time, Istiqlol Dushanbe won 2:0 at home. It was a fairly uninteresting game with both teams struggling to create chances. However, in the end, the Tajikistan team deservedly won, but neither team was particularly impressive.
FC Goa team overview
This year, FC Goa did very well, finishing the regular phase of the domestic league (ISL) in second place. However, they eventually lost in the Playoffs Semi-Finals to Bengaluru FC on a 3:2 aggregate.
When it comes to the AFC Champions League 2, the so-called Gaurs have been terrible, losing all five games thus far, and will look for their first points in the last round. However, that bad showing isn't really a surprise, since they were underdogs in each of their games. Also, FC Goa have had very little success in continental competitions, as this is their second showing in Asia. The last time they appeared in Asia was in 2021 in the AFC Champions League, when they won three points in six games and exited the competition in the group stage.
Last matches of FC Goa
-
FC Goa
2 : 1
Mumbai City
Hero Super Cup
-
Al Zawra'a
2 : 1
FC Goa
AFC Champions League Two
-
Al Nassr
4 : 0
FC Goa
AFC Champions League Two
-
FC Goa
1 : 2
NorthEast United
Hero Super Cup
-
FC Goa
3 : 0
Inter Kashi
Hero Super Cup
FC Goa lineup
Goalkeeper
-
55
Hrithik Tiwari
Defenders
-
17
Boris Singh
-
4
Pol Moreno
-
35
Ronney Willson Kharbudon
-
27
Aakash Sangwan
Midfielders
-
24
David Timor
-
26
Borja Herrera
-
14
Ayush Dev Chhetri
Forwards
-
42
Brison Fernandes
-
9
Javi Siverio
-
71
Dejan Drazic
Istiqlol Dushanbe team overview
Istiqlol Dushanbe are the biggest club in Tajikistan. They won their 14th league title earlier in December, and their 12th consecutive one! That alone says a lot about their dominance in Tajikistan.
However, in Asian competitions, they haven't been as good, finishing the group stage as the worst team in their group in three consecutive seasons (AFC CL and AFC CL 2 combined). This time, they have an opportunity to reach the knockout phase, as they are three points away from the second-placed Al Zawraa. Unfortunately, they have an eight-goal deficit compared to Al Zawraa and will have a hard time reaching second place.
Last matches of Istiqlol Dushanbe
-
Khatlon
1 : 1
Istiqlol Dushanbe
Vysshaya Liga
-
FK Hulbuk
1 : 5
Istiqlol Dushanbe
Vysshaya Liga
-
Istiqlol Dushanbe
0 : 4
Al Nassr
AFC Champions League Two
-
Istiqlol Dushanbe
6 : 2
Eskhata
Vysshaya Liga
-
Al Zawra'a
2 : 1
Istiqlol Dushanbe
AFC Champions League Two
Istiqlol Dushanbe lineup
Goalkeeper
-
99
Mukhriddin Khasanov
Defenders
-
95
Rudolf Turkaj
-
4
Marlen Chobanov
-
5
Sodikdzhon Kurbonov
-
55
Manuchekhr Safarov
Midfielders
-
12
Mekhrubon Odilzoda
-
33
Joseph Okoro
-
3
Tabrez Islomov
Forwards
-
9
Rustam Soirov
-
28
Masrur Gafurov
-
43
Paul Komolafe
Prediction
In the first game between these teams, Istiqlol Dushanbe won 2:0 at home. However, it was a game without too many goal-scoring chances. According to credible sources, these teams were combined for only 1.44 xG.
FC Goa have been absolutely terrible offensively in the AFC Champions League 2, scoring just two goals in five rounds. So, we do not expect them to suddenly start scoring goals. Additionally, in Asia, FC Goa played 12 games, and have scored six goals in total - a mere 0.5 goals per game.
Meanwhile, Istiqlol Dushanbe scored five goals in five rounds. They are generally a team that struggles to score goals on the road in Asia. In the last 11 road games in Asia, they lost each time and have scored just four goals - 0.36 per game.
Considering all the above, an under 2.5 goals bet seems like the best option for this AFC Champions League 2 tie.
4 Reasons why we should see fewer than three goals
- FC Goa scored two goals in five games in the competition
- Istiqlol Dushanbe scored five goals in five games in the AFC CL 2
- Istiqlol Dushanbe lost 11 road games in Asia and have scored just four goals
- The previous h2h game ended with fewer than three goals
Main prediction FC Goa - Istiqlol Dushanbe
Under 2.5 goals
Best Odds:
Melbet
2.00
FC Goa vs Istiqlol Dushanbe standings in AFC Champions League Two
| Group D | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Nassr | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 17 - 1 | +16 | 15 |
| 2 | Al Zawra'a | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 - 6 | +1 | 9 |
| 3 | Istiqlol Dushanbe | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 - 12 | -7 | 6 |
| 4 | Goa | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 - 12 | -10 | 0 |