Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details | Durand Cup 2024

Mohun Bagan are the defending champions of Durand Cup.

Mohun Bagan are set to face Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC in the 2024 Durand Cup quarter-final clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Friday (August 23). The Mariners are determined to flex their ambitions of retaining the Durand Cup title but need to produce their most efficient performance yet to move into the semi-finals.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

The Mariners have had a solid start to the Jose Molina era and proved their quality with a 6-0 thrashing of the Indian Air Forces team in the group stages. But they’ll now face their toughest task yet in facing an unpredictable and in-form Punjab FC side. It’s the ideal occasion for Molina to try out his system and prove that his side can play exciting, attacking football against top-tier teams too.

Mohun Bagan will look to be at their ruthless best to outwit the Punjab FC side and hope their star-studded team can make a statement of intent to clinch the Durand Cup. A big victory can help the Mariners maintain their impressive momentum to go all the way in the Durand Cup. A loss, however, can raise questions about Molina’s team quality against a formidable opposition.

Punjab FC

Punjab FC had a very impressive Durand Cup group stage and went unbeaten, being barely held to a draw by Kerala Blasters. Panagoitis Dilberis appears to have implemented his tactics perfectly in his squad, making them play some thrilling, incisive attacking football. He’s made Punjab FC into a fearless unit that doesn’t back down in the face of adversity and will now look to prove how good they are against the ISL heavyweights.

A win for Punjab FC can be the biggest proof that Dilberis’ system and tactics are working perfectly. A loss after their dominant group stages will sting and can cause queries on whether Punjab FC needs to play in an alternative manner on big occasions.

Injury & Team News

Mohun Bagan forward Jamie Maclaren is unlikely to be able to make his debut as he’s still facing some fitness issues. Punjab FC have a fully fit squad available.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 10

Mohun Bagan wins – 7

Punjab FC wins – 2

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan (3-5-2)

Vishal Kaith (GK); Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subashish Bose; Manvir Singh, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Liston Colaco; Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings

Punjab FC (5-4-1)

Ravi Kumar (GK); Suresh Meitei, Melroy Asisi, Nikhil Prabhu, Ivan Novoselac,  Abhishek Singh; Nihal Sudeesh, Vinit Rai, Filip Mrzljak, Leon Augustine; Luka Majcen

Players to Watch

Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)

Jason Cummings is hungry to prove himself as the best striker in Indian football this season and knows that he’ll need to come up big in major matches to do so. Hence he’ll probably be extra motivated to steal the show against Punjab FC. Cummings produced a clinical performance in Mohun Bagan’s win over Indian Air Force, scoring a great goal and linking up well with his teammates.

The Australian forward will look to torment the Punjab backline with his clever movement and link-up play can destabilize their shape. But his biggest objective will be to get the ball in key spaces in the final third and use his clinical finishing skills to score more goals in the Durand Cup.

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)

Luka Majcen has been on fire for Punjab FC in the 2024 Durand Cup and is leading the line with utmost pride. He scored three goals in the group stages, including a really smart goal in the draw against Kerala Blasters. Majcen can be a tricky customer to handle due to his ability to get in between the centre-backs and find spaces in tight areas.

He’ll look to sneak into the promising areas in the Mohun Bagan box and needs to finish off whatever chances they create for him to help Punjab FC get the upper hand. More than that, Majcen will also look to drop back and help defensively as well as link up promising counter-attacks to be a thorn for the Mariners’ backline.

Did you know?

• Dimitri Petratos scored in both ISL games for Mohun Bagan against Punjab FC in the 2023-24 season.
• Both Mohun Bagan and Punjab FC only conceded one goal apiece in the 2024 Durand Cup group stages.
• This will be the first time that these two teams face each other in a neutral venue (Jamshedpur).

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2024 quarter-final between Mohun Bagan and Punjab FC will take place on Friday (August 23) at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur. It will kick off at 16:00 IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and will be available to live stream on Sony LIV.

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