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

Mohun Bagan will aim for a second successive title.

The 2024 Durand Cup final will see Indian Super League (ISL) heavyweights Mohun Bagan Super Giant aim to defend their title when they face a vibrant NorthEast United side at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday (August 31).

The Mariners are determined to reclaim their title after having won the 2023 edition’s final at the same venue last year, while NorthEast United aim to make history by claiming their first-ever silverware in hostile waters.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

Jose Molina’s side are flying high on momentum after having won their last two Durand Cup knockout games on penalty shootouts, needing Vishal Kaith to come up big for them. But the Mariners will be determined to end the finale within the allotted 90 minutes itself and focus on cutting out defensive errors that has nearly cost them in the last two games.

Mohun Bagan will be fortunate to have a buzzing Salt Lake Stadium crowd cheering them on as their ‘12th man’ and will hope to feed of their positive energy to produce a thunderous attacking display.

Winning their second straight Durand Cup will not only help add more silverware to their cabinet but raise the squad’s belief of winning big things this season. But losing in the final after this memorable campaign will feel particularly nasty and can delete their momentum even before the start of the 2024-25 ISL campaign.

NorthEast United

The Highlanders have been at their efficient best at the Durand Cup campaign, sailing past opponents with ease and being a hard nut to crack for any team.

But they’ll be facing their toughest opponent yet in the form of Mohun Bagan in the final and Juan Pedro Benali realizes that there is no scope for error in this one. He’ll need his side to be at their sturdiest defensive and frustrate both the Mariners’ players and fans with flawless defending to survive the onslaught.

Moreover, they’ll also need to be clinical in finishing off their own chances and smart with their approach to ensure that things don’t get out of control. A loss after the kind of clinical campaign they’ve had will raise questions on whether NorthEast United can ever climb out of their ‘mid-table’ attitude, but a win can prove that they’re here to compete for big honours this season.

Injury & Team News

Subhasish Bose is a major doubt for the final after picking up an injury in the win over Bengaluru FC in the semi-final. Jamie Maclaren is unlikely to be risked in this one either. NorthEast United should have the same squad that defeated Shillong Lajong in the semi-final.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 10

Mohun Bagan wins – 7

NorthEast United wins – 2

Draw – 1

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan (3-4-1-2)

Vishal Kaith (GK); Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Dippendu Biswas; Asish Rai, Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco; Sahal Abdul Samad; Greg Stewart, Dimitri Petratos

NorthEast United (4-3-3)

Gurmeet Singh (GK); Dinesh Singh, Michel Zabaco, Asheer Akhtar, Tondonba Singh; Nestor Albiach, Mayakkanan, Mohammed Bermammer; Thoi Singh, Jithin MS, Alaeddine Ajeraie

Players To Watch

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan)

Even though he started his first match of the 2024-25 season against Bengaluru FC, Dimitri Petratos showed zero signs of rustiness as he ushered his side to an inspired comeback win.

Despite not having a lot of game-time under his belt in the new campaign, Petratos continues to look extremely sharp on the field and is actively involved in creating attacking moves. He’s proven his worth in big games in the past when he scored the winner for the Mariners in the 2023 Durand Cup final win.

Petratos will aim to replicate those heroics in this final, tormenting the NorthEast United defenders with his smart off-the-ball movement and linking up well with teammates to split open their backline.

He’ll look to create chances with his set-pieces and slick delivery but also get into more goal-scoring areas in the box to put his lethal finishing skills to good use.

Alaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United)

NorthEast United’s new forward Alaeddine Ajaraie has already made quite the impact in the 2024 Durand Cup, scoring two key goals including one against Shillong Lajong. The 31-year-old forward seems to be an ideal fit for Benali’s system and is leading their frontline with confidence.

He’s looked a menace with his smart movement and efforts in the final third, and will look to continue being a thorn for defenders by slipping into the empty pockets of spaces and also creating chances for teammates.

But Ajaraie’s biggest responsibility will be to make good of whatever chances are created for him, as he’ll really need to nail his finishing to get shots past Vishal Kaith.

If the Moroccan forward can use this experience well, maintain his composure, and finish off chances ruthlessly, then he can help the Highlanders script some personal history and lead them to their first-ever title.

Did you know?

• The last time Mohun Bagan won back-to-back Durand Cup titles was in the 1980s. They won three straight Durand Cup trophies from 1984 to 1986.
• This is the first time in their history that NorthEast United FC have ever made it to a major tournament’s final.
• Mohun Bagan have won four out of their last five matches across all competitions against NorthEast United.

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2024 final between NorthEast United FC and Mohun Bagan will take place on Saturday (August 31) at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. The match kicks off at 5:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2, Ten 2 HD, and will be available for live stream on Sony LIV.

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