ISL 2023-24: Odisha FC vs Mohun Bagan: Preview, Predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

Odisha FC will aim to get their maiden ISL win over Mohun Bagan.

Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan are set to fight for the top spot in the Indian Super League (ISL 2023-24) and are in search of an opportunity to take control of the Shield title race when they face off at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Saturday (24 February). A win for either team can give them an upper hand in the race to win the championship, making this game almost as big as a final itself.

The Stakes

Odisha FC

Sergio Lobera has worked his magic in his debut season in charge of Odisha FC, helping the Juggernauts soar up to the top of the table. The issue is that his side has played a game more than their title challengers, which is why they desperately need to defeat Mohun Bagan to create a decent gap with the rest of the contenders.

Odisha were able to humble Mohun Bagan in the AFC Cup this season, but this one is a revitalized unit under Antonio Habas. Lobera needs to get his tactics spot on and his attacking players to be at their clinical best, because winning this game could help them take a step closer to the ISL Shield. A defeat however, can be disastrous and loosen their grip over the Shield race as well.

Mohun Bagan

The Mariners have been uplifted by the arrival of Antonio Habas, as they are now unbeaten in four ISL matches and have won their last three games. However, this will be a huge challenge for Habas & co. because of how dominant Odisha have been this season.

If the Mariners strive to win the ISL shield for the first-time ever, they desperately need to win this and consider this game as an ISL final itself. A draw will leave things as they are and stop Mohun Bagan from taking a step forward into the Shield race, while a loss can be disastrous and create a potentially gigantic challenge for them to claim the top spot by the end of league stages.

Injury and Team News

Odisha FC are going to be missing midfielder Ahmed Jahouh, who is suspended for this game. Mohun Bagan are likely to be without Ashique Kuruniyan, but Brendan Hamill is fit again.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 8

Mohun Bagan wins – 4

Odisha FC wins – 0

Draws – 4

Predicted Lineups

Odisha FC (4-3-3)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Amey Ranawade, Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Larinzuala, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lenny Rodrigues, Cy Goddard, Isak Vanlalruetfela, Roy Krishna, Diego Mauricio

Mohun Bagan (3-1-4-2)

Vishal Kaith (GK), Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste, Subhasish Bose, Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh, Joni Kauko, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings

Player To Watch

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Roy Krishna has regained his best form under Lobera at Odisha FC this season and is operating as their go-to solution in the attacking areas. He has played in multiple roles, be it a winger or a forward and is thriving of the freedom in this existing system. Krishna will look to be a thorn for the Mohun Bagan backline by forcing their defenders to move out of positions and destabilizing their shape with his movement.

He’ll also look to create chances for his teammates being the team player he is, but the tactician will probably want Krishna – who is the ISL season’s leading goal-scorer with 11 goals – to get into more scoring areas and finish off chances clinically in this big game.

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan)

Dimitri Petratos has become a pivotal part of Mohun Bagan’s success under Habas so far and has adapted to his system seamlessly. The Australian forward seems to be enjoying his free role in the final third, being able to move around wherever he wants and look to control the attacking transitions for the Mariners.

Petratos will aim to make good use of his set-piece prowess and create chances with his excellent delivery into the box. However, in a game like this, the Mariners will need the Aussie forward to get into the box and promising areas in the final third and put his finishing qualities to good use to break the Odisha FC backline.

Did you know?

• Ahmed Jahouh has successfully completed more passes (914) than any other player in the ISL this season.
• Mohun Bagan have scored the most number of goals in the ISL so far this season (28), the same as Odisha – but the Mariners have played a game less.
• Amrinder Singh has the joint-most clean-sheets (7) in the ISL 2023-24 so far.

Telecast

The Odisha FC vs Mohun Bagan game kicks off at 5 PM IST, at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on February 24, 2024. Live telecast of the fixture will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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