Mohammedan SC vs Bengaluru FC Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details | Durand Cup 2024

Mohammedan SC will try to stop the winning run of the Blues.

Before embarking on their fights in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL), Mohammedan Sporting Club (SC) and Bengaluru FC are poised to contest in the much-anticipated battle of Group B in the 2024 Durand Cup.

The Blues have already qualified for the knockout rounds, but this is a key game for the Black Panthers to prove their ability to hold their own against the best in Indian football and improve their chances of making it past the group stages.

The Stakes

Mohammedan SC

Mohammedan SC had a shaky start to their Durand Cup campaign and were held to a draw by Inter Kashi in their opening game. Now, they need to at least win one of their last two games and ideally pick up at least four points to have a strong chance of making it into the knockout rounds.

Even though they’re not fielding their strongest squad in the competition, opting against registering any foreign players, Mohammedan still have some quality domestic players looking to win over Andrey Chernyshov.

The Black Panthers need to be hungrier to get the three points in this one and need to be much more clinical and decisive than they were in the last match. A win can significantly improve their chances of making it into the knockout rounds, but a loss can make it extremely hard for them to do so.

Bengaluru FC

Gerard Zaragoza’s team have been extremely dominant in the Durand Cup so far, winning both their games by a comfortable margin. But they’ll face their strongest competitor of the group in fellow ISL side Mohammedan SC. Bengaluru FC have already qualified for the knockout rounds, but that doesn’t mean they’ll roll over for the Kolkata side.

Zaragoza might rotate his side but will urge his players to maintain their match-winning momentum heading into the crucial phase of the Durand Cup. If Bengaluru FC can defeat Mohammedan and maintain their 100% win record, their confidence and self-belief levels will soar to the necessary point to go all the way. A draw will seal first place in Group B, while a loss can be an unnecessary hiccup that Zaragoza wouldn’t want diminishing his team’s morale before the knockout rounds.

Injury & Team News

Mohammedan Sporting and Bengaluru FC have no major injury concerns in their squad right now and should have fully fit teams available for this one.

Head-to-Head

This will be the first time that these two teams meet each other at any stage of the Durand Cup. But they have met each other a few times in the past when the Blues played in the I-League.

Total Matches – 2

Mohammedan Sporting wins – 0

Bengaluru FC wins – 2

Draws – 0

Players to Watch

Ashley Alban Koli (Mohammedan Sporting)

Ashley Alban Koli was one of Mohammedan’s better performers in the recent draw against Inter Kashi and helped them salvage a point with a crucial equalizer. The 22-year-old is a rapid and proactive winger, being able to play in either side and having that eye for goal.

Last season, he scored four goals in 12 appearances for FC Bengaluru FC side in the second division and is now determined to make the jump to the ISL this time around. He’ll look to get into the key final third areas and create chances for teammates, but also to maintain his goal streak by converting his chances clinically.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz (Bengaluru FC)

Jorge Pereyra Diaz appears to have settled in nicely at Bengaluru FC and taken to the system implemented by Gerard Zaragoza with ease. He has already scored two goals in as many appearances for the Blues and seems to be eyeing the possibility of winning the Durand Cup Golden Boot. To improve his chances of doing so, Diaz needs to be at his ruthless best against a relatively inexperience Mohammedan backline.

He’ll look to use his off-the-ball movement and physicality to trifle the defenders and try to open up space for teammates. But Diaz’s primary objective will be to get into the key areas in the box and put away the chances presented in front of him to maintain his impressive goal run heading into the knockout stages.

Predicted Lineups

Mohammedan Sporting (4-3-3)

Subhajit Bhattacharya (GK), Mohammed Jasim, Dipu Halder, Joseph Lalmuanawma, Thokchom James Singh; Sajal Bag, Sujit Singh, Tanmoy Ghosh; Israful Dewan, Thokchom Adison Singh, Ashley Alban Koli

Bengaluru FC (4-2-3-1)

Lalthuammawia Ralte (GK), Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Chinglensana Singh, Mohammed Salah; Harsh Patre, Pedro Capo; Shivaldo Singh, Alberto Noguera, Sunil Chhetri; Jorge Pereyra Diaz

Did you know?

• The last time that Bengaluru FC and Mohammedan Sporting faced each other was on 11 December 2013. The Blues picked up a 3-2 win.
• Sunil Chhetri has scored five goals and provided three assists in nine Durand Cup appearances in his career.
• Mohammedan Sporting Club have won the Durand Cup twice in their history, with their recent victory coming in 2013.

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2024 game between Mohammedan SC and Bengaluru FC will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on August 6. The game will kick off at 7 PM IST. It will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and will also be available for live streaming on Sony LIV.

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