Mohun Bagan eye top spot, while FC Goa chase aim to bounce back after loss in ISL 2025-26

The Gaurs will host Mohun Bagan SG at home

Mohun Bagan are eager to get back to the top of the 2025-26 Indian Super League, but they face a challenging task against fellow title rivals FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on Saturday, 9 May (2026).

In what will be the Mariners’ first match after a near three-week-long break, they’ll look to get firing on all cylinders to defeat the tricky Gaurs side at their own home to keep on track to reclaim their ISL title.

The Stakes

FC Goa

FC Goa have witnessed their ISL title push stagnate a little bit after suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss to Jamshedpur FC recently. However, they’re still only two points behind the top spot and realise that winning the remainder of their matches can potentially help them pull off a surprise ISL championship win – if other results also go their way. Manolo Marquez has to motivate his players to be at their sharpest against Mohun Bagan, knowing how threatening they can be.

He’ll need them to keep a sturdy defensive shape to neutralise their threat, but also for his players to be unpredictable and lively with their attacking work to cause trouble. A win for FC Goa will definitely be a morale-booster for the players, but another loss would end up being the death knell for their title aspirations.

Mohun Bagan

Mohun Bagan might not be riding on the best form, but they have also won three of their last four matches to establish themselves as front-runners for the ISL title. The Mariners are facing stiff competition in the championship race this time around, but with their advantage of having matches in hand over others, they can surge right back to the top of the title race with a win over FC Goa.

The Mariners will be pushing to play some dominant, attacking football – using the creativity and wit of their talented forwards to help create unpredictable attacks. They’ll also need to be defensively sturdy, with Sergio Lobera needing his players to keep a compact shape to neutralise Goa’s threat. A big away win for Mohun Bagan can be the perfect start they need for their final stretch of the ISL campaign, but dropping points could have major consequences for their title charge.

Team News

Dejan Drazic remains doubtful for FC Goa, after having suffered an injury against NorthEast United last month.

Asish Rai remains the only Mohun Bagan player with an injury, with Lalengmawia Ralte and Alberto Rodriguez poised to return to action against the Gaurs.

Head-to-Head Record

Matches Played – 10

FC Goa wins -3

Mohun Bagan wins – 6

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineups

FC Goa (4-2-3-1):

Hritik Tiwari (GK), Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Pol Moreno, Aaksh Sangwan, Ayush Chhetri, Raynier Fernandes, Abdul Rabeeh, Mohammed Yasir, Brison Fernandes, Muhammed Nemil

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1):

Vishal Kaith (GK), Abhishek Singh, Mehtab Singh, Tom Aldred, Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Liston Colaco, Jason Cummings, Robson Robinho, Jamie Maclaren

Players to Watch

Mohammed Yasir (FC Goa)

Mohammed Yasir is yet to really break through with statement performances for FC Goa in the ongoing 2025-26 ISL campaign, but he’s shown his quality in recent games for the Gaurs. The midfielder scored a crucial goal for the Gaurs in their recent win over NorthEast United and has looked quite sharp with his performances in recent games. Yasir will need to play an influential role if FC Goa are really to take the fight to Mohun Bagan in the upcoming clash.

He’ll have to be smart with his link-up play and movement around the Mariners’ half to confuse their defenders, but the FC Goa man really needs to sharpen his final third passes. He’ll need to nail his crosses and passes to create big chances, and also look to get into prime locations to put away chances efficiently and help his side get a big win.

Robson Robinho (Mohun Bagan)

Robson Robinho has started to get well adapted to the conditions of Indian football and Mohun Bagan, having delivered two goal contributions in their last two appearances. He scored the winner in tough conditions against NorthEast United in their previous match, and the Brazilian is starting to pull the strings to elevate the quality of Mohun Bagan’s attacking force.

Robson will look to be a thorn for the FC Goa defenders with his unpredictable movement and trickery, as he’ll aim to carry the ball into the danger areas to help march his side forward. However, the Brazilian winger needs to be clinical in finishing off any chances that come his way and also look to create chances more efficiently to inspire the Mariners to a dominant win in Goa.

Did you know?

• Dejan Drazic has had eight goal contributions for FC Goa in the 2025-26 ISL, the second-most for any player so far.
• Lalengmawia Ralte has been the most accurate passer in the ongoing ISL, averaging 79.6 passes per 90 minutes.
• Mohun Bagan have won two of their last three away games against FC Goa in the Indian Super League.

Telecast Details

The FC Goa vs Mohun Bagan clash in the 2025-26 ISL will take place on Saturday, 9 May (2026) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa. The match will kick off at 5 PM IST. It will be broadcast live on Sony Ten 2 & Sony Ten 2 HD, as well as be livestreamed on Fancode.

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