Mohun Bagan vs Mohammedan SC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

The Mariners will face a tough challenge from an in-form Mohammedan SC side.

Mohun Bagan head into their first ‘mini-Kolkata Derby’ of the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season against Mohammedan Sporting in stuttering form.

But this game is the perfect opportunity for the Mariners to pick up their form, as a blistering performance against the newest ISL side at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday (5 October) can be the momentum booster they need to start winning over their fans’ admiration.

For Mohammedan SC, it’s the ideal opportunity to prove their ‘giant-slaying’ skills and prove that they can fight it out against the best the ISL has to offer.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

With one win in three ISL matches, Mohun Bagan have not had an ideal start to the ISL season at all. They’re already five points behind the top spot and need consistency to strongly challenge for the ISL shield this season. Jose Molina realizes that his team did not perform up to the mark against Bengaluru FC, but the Kolkata heavyweights have had a lot of time to raise their levels after that.

Mohun Bagan need to start being more prolific in the opposition half, be it with their creative nature or finishing away the chances that are created. They also need to fix their defensive shape, adding more protection to the backline to stop them from leaking goals.

Mohun Bagan need to feed off their fans’ energy in this derby and produce a clinical performance to oust the Black Panthers, knowing a win can be vital to helping restrict their title push. But another draw or a loss can pose more questions about Molina, dampening the mood in the club even further.

Mohammedan SC

The Black Panthers produced an admirable effort to get their first win in the ISL against Chennaiyin FC. Mohammedan SC have surprised many with their energetic, courageous performances in the ISL so far and now face arguably their biggest task against Mohun Bagan. But this is also the perfect game for Andrey Chernyshov’s side to prove their ability to defeat the star-studded, top ISL team.

For that, they need to be at their sharpest defensively and maintain utmost concentration to frustrate Molina’s side. Mohammedan also needs their players to be much more decisive in converting their chances and be fearless with quick attacking moves against this vulnerable Mohun Bagan defence.

A loss against Mohun Bagan can ruin all the momentum and self-belief the squad has recently gained, but a win can properly kickstart Mohammedan’s push for a playoff place.

Injury & Team News

Mohun Bagan

Ashique Kuruniyan remains a question mark because of doubts about his fitness levels. Sahal Abdul Samad was also absent from India’s squad for their next matches, raising questions about his fitness. Alberto Rodriguez should be fit to make his return for this one.

Mohammedan Sporting

The Black Panthers should have a fully fit unit available for this big game.

Head-to-Head

This is the first time that Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting face each other in the ISL.

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith (GK); Asish Rai, Dippendu Biswas, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose; Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa; Manvir Singh, Greg Stewart, Dimitri Petratos; Jason Cummings

Mohammedan Sporting (4-2-3-1)

Padam Chhetri (GK); Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak, Gaurav Bora, Joseph Adjei, Zodingliana Ralte; Miraslov Kasimov, Amarjit Singh Kiyam; Lalremsanga Fanai, Alexis Gomez, Makhan Chothe; Franca

Players to Watch

Greg Stewart (Mohun Bagan)

Greg Stewart hasn’t had the most explosive start to his Mohun Bagan career and has been unable to take the ISL by storm as he did with Mumbai City. The Scottish midfielder is, although, on current form the biggest creative threat that the Mariners’ frontline possesses. He has one assist in three games but has created eight goal-scoring chances already – averaging almost three per game.

Greg Stewart has that magic touch to be able to send special passes into the box that not many others can in the side and needs to tap into that brilliance against Mohammedan.

He’ll be tasked to trouble the opponents with his smart link-up and excellent final passes to destabilize their defensive line. He’ll look to create big chances by perfectly laying his passes to his teammates, while Stewart will also be craving for a goal and try to get into more goal-scoring positions to open his account for the campaign.

Alexis Gomez (Mohammedan Sporting)

The Argentine midfielder has brought an exciting spark into the ISL as the orchestrator for the majority of Mohammedan’s good work in the opposition half. Gomez can be a menacing threat for opponents due to his tricky movement in the final third and ability to dance past defenders with ease. He’s had a strong start to the season, scoring the Black Panthers’ first ISL goal and also creating five goal-scoring chances in three games.

Gomez also loves driving past players and has completed seven dribbles as well as winning 14 duels already. But now he plays in the biggest game to prove his quality, which he aims to attain by troubling Mohun Bagan.

The 24-year-old just needs to be a bit more composed with his final product and decision-making to cause major troubles. He’ll need to nail his final passes to create chances and use his clever off-the-ball movement to get himself into more promising areas to improve his side’s goal-scoring prowess.

Did you know?

• Mohun Bagan have already conceded seven goals in the ISL, the highest for any team after three matches played.
• Both goals conceded by Mohammedan Sporting in the ISL this season have come in the dying minutes, specifically in the 94th minute of the games.
• Vishal Kaith has made more saves (14) than any other goalkeeper in the ISL after the first three matchdays.

Telecast Details

The Mohun Bagan vs Mohammedan Sporting clash will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Saturday (5 October). It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and be streamed online on Jio Cinema. International viewers can also watch the game on the OneFootball app.

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