Gotham FC vs Bay FC preview: The end of a busy week

Following Wednesday's record-setting performance in Jamaica, NJ/NY Gotham FC returned home to face Bay FC in New Jersey for the first time. This will be the second and final time these two teams meet in the regular season after the 2-0 win in California. There are only four games left to go this season, with this match holding significance for both sides albeit in two different ways.

For Gotham, the Bats are coming off an extraordinary 13-0 win over Jamaican side Frazsiers Whip Football Limited on Wednesday night. While this result doesn't mathematically lock in their spot in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup semifinal, it does in reality as there would need to be a 16-goal swing in goal differential between Gotham and C.F. Monterrey Femenil on the final matchday. In NWSL play, Gotham FC can lock up a home quarterfinal playoff game if they get a win and the North Carolina Courage drop points at home to the San Diego Wave. So while they have already locked up a playoff spot there is still plenty to play for.

For Bay FC, this season is starting to reach peak urgency. They currently sit in the last playoff spot just three points ahead of ninth-place Racing Louisville FC. A win on Saturday would go a long way in their playoff push, especially with a visit from the Kansas City Current next week. Bay have been in good form recently as well with three wins and one draw in their last five games with their only loss in that timeframe coming to the unbeaten Orlando Pride.

As the regular season winds down three points become more important than ever. A first home playoff game for Gotham FC and a first-ever playoff game for Bay FC become a step closer for whichever side ends up with the win on Saturday night. Here is a preview of this matchup.

Date

Gotham FC will host Bay FC on Saturday, October 5.

Time

The game is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 PM ET.

How to watch

The match will be broadcast on Ion.

Location

The fixture will be played at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

Weather

It looks to be a nice night in New Jersey with a forecasted temperature of 70 degrees at kickoff, dropping down to 64 towards the end of the game. Humidity will hover between 40%-50% with a 0% chance of rain.

Injury Report

Kelley O'Hara (knee), Midge Purce (knee), and Abby Smith (lower leg) remain on the season-ending injury list.

Crystal Dunn (excused absence) and Svava Guðmundsdóttir (excused absence) will not be available for the Bay FC match.

Players to watch

When these two met in San Jose, California back at the end of May, Ella Stevens had scored both goals in a 2-0 Gotham win. This was the game where she really announced herself to the rest of the league and made many realize just how good of a player she is. She's currently goalless in her last four NWSL fixtures. After not starting on Wednesday in Jamaica, she looks to be in line to start against the visitors.

One of Bay FC's biggest signings of their offseason, Asisat Oshoala, has started to round into form with three goals in her last four games. Prior to this purple patch, she had only scored three goals in her first 17 appearances of the season including the first ever goal in Bay FC history. The California side will need Oshoala to continue her strong run of games if they want to make the playoffs.

Prediction

While Bay is much improved compared to when these two teams last met, expect another Gotham FC win on Saturday. The team will get a 2-0 win with goals from Stevens and Lynn Williams. Despite the similar scoreline to their last meeting, this will be a more difficult victory for the Bats this time.