Samaleswari SC vs Dempo SC Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News | IFL 2026-27
Debutants Samaleswari brace for first home game of IFL season against Dempo in Rourkela.
Indian Football League action returns to Odisha after a long time, as the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela is set to host the second matchweek fixtures of the Indian Football League.
Home team and debutants Samaleswari will lock horns with Dempo SC in what promises to be a thrilling clash between two promising teams of the competition.
The debutants are coming off a 3-2 defeat to Gokulam Kerala in the opening matchweek, whereas Dempo SC find themselves jointly atop the points table after a narrow win over Bengaluru United in the opening game.
Both sides are led by Indian coaches. On one hand, the Odisha-based outfit will be keen to make the most of their home advantage and grab all three points, whereas Dempo, on the other, will look forward to extending their winning streak to two and climbing higher in the points table.
We can expect this to be a thrilling clash. Will it be Samir Naik’s team, who will come out victorious, or will it be Abdul Azim Siddique leading the debutants to their first-ever point or win in the second tier? We shall find that out soon.
The Stakes
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Samaleswari SC
The Sambalpur outfit were just a few seconds away from a dream debut in God’s Own Country. While taking on the Malabarians, the debutants were trailing 2-0 in the 25th minute, but they went on to script a memorable comeback after Goloui and Diaz converted from the spot to make it 2-2.
However, a late goal in the dying seconds from Crislan saw Samaleswari leave empty-handed from Calicut. ISL veteran Jorge Pereyra Diaz impressed a lot in the last game, and he will be keen to make an impact as Samaleswari prepare for their historic home debut in the Steel City of Rourkela.
Dempo SC
It took Dempo more than 90 minutes to break the deadlock and find the winner in the dying seconds of injury time as the Goan outfit clinched a 1-0 narrow win over Bengaluru United in the last game.
Asonaning Budu, who was also adjudged the Man of the Match in the last game, went on to score the winner for the Goan outfit. They were brilliant offensively, taking 20 shots, but the conversion rate was pretty poor, as Dempo had just five of them on target.
Team News
Both sides have their full squad apart from an injury,ry and they are ready for their second IFL 2026-27 season clash, which marks the opening game of this new campaign.
Head-to-head record
Samaleswari are set to make their debut in the Indian Football League, and this will be the first meeting between these two sides.
Predicted Lineup
Samaleswari predicted XI (3-5-2)
Aaryan Anjaneya (GK); Issah, Wani, Harijan; Arago, Bhat, Panna, Ishan Pandita, Kartik Choudhary; K Amarjit Singh; Jorge Pereyra Diaz
Dempo Predicted XI (3-5-2)
Subhajit Bhattacharjee (GK); Pednekar, Unnikrishnan, Budu; Rane, Oliveira, Borges, Bagkar, Buam; Owusu, De
Player to watch out for
Kiyam Amarjit Singh (Samaleswari)
Indian U17 team’s captain at the FIFA U17 World Cup, Kiyam Amarjit Singh, will be tasked with the responsibility of dominating the midfield and controlling the tempo and pace of the game.
Bengaluru United’s forwards struggled to find space and get past Dempo defenders in the last gam,e and Amarjit, alongside captain Basit Bhat and Kartik Choudhary, will have big responsibilities on their shoulders to create chances upfront.
Amarjit possesses great awareness of space and width and operates as the high-energy structural engine for Samaleswari SC’s tactical setup under coach Abdul Azim Siddique.
Rowlin Borges (Dempo SC)
The Goan midfielder has massive experience playing in the Indian Super League for teams like North East United FC, Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters before making a return to Goa with Dempo SC.
He is regarded as a defensive wall, who offers defensive stability in the centre of the park for Dempo. Samaleswari’s offence impressed a lot in the last game, and Borges will have a tough task keeping Pereyra Diaz and Amarjit quiet in the upcoming game.
He is also a box-to-box threat and can even be deployed as an advanced playmaker. An ISL veteran, he brings immense elite leadership to the dressing room and is a key player to watch out for, Dempo.
Telecast Details
Dempo are ready to lock horns against Samaleswari on Thursday, 5th November, 2026, from 18:30 IST at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha, as both sides will aim for all three points.
The match and the rest of the IFL 2026-27 season will be broadcast live on DD Sports, with live streaming on Waves OTT.
When will Samaleswari SC vs Dempo SC take place?
Dempo is ready to lock horns with Samaleswari on Thursday, 5th November, 2026, from 18:30 IST.
When & where can I watch Samaleswari SC vs Dempo SC?
Samaleswari SC vs Dempo SC will be broadcast live on DD Sports, with live streaming on Waves OTT
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