Mohun Bagan vs Odisha FC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

With a win, Mohun Bagan can retain the ISL league Shield.

Mohun Bagan are gunning to seal the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) league shield title when they host Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday (23 February).

The Mariners simply need a win to retain the league championship, but need to produce a clinical performance to oust an unpredictable Juggernauts’ side.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

Jose Molina’s side now have the perfect view of the finish line for claiming the ISL Shield. They’ve worked hard all season long, producing compelling performances on a consistent basis to come to this point. It’s now just a case of Mohun Bagan getting three more points, which will officially make them the ISL Shield champions. Molina will urge his side to maintain the momentum that has seen them soar past opponents in the past weeks.

He’ll need them to be clutch in the frontline and maintain defensive sturdiness to frustrate the visitors. A draw or loss will spoil the planned party of the Mariners’ fanbase in Kolkata, which is why getting a win is so vital and why they’ll treat this game like a finale itself.

Odisha FC

The Juggernauts are still alive in the ISL playoffs race, but realize the need to be at their very best heading into the final stretch of the campaign. It might even be argued that they actually need a win more desperately than the Mariners at this point. Sergio Lobera is aware of the mammoth task that his side faces against this in-form Mohun Bagan side in their own yard.

He’ll need to motivate his players to be able to weather the storm and produce a decisive performance in arguably their toughest visit of the stadium. If Odisha FC can be at hteir defensive sturdiness to frustrate the Mariners and convert chances on the breaks, they could get something. A win can be a massive booster to their playoffs hopes, but a draw or loss can make it a gigantic task for them to get into the top-6.

Team & Injury News

Sahal Abdul Samad is likely to miss this game because of a nagging injury problem. Savior Gama is going to be suspended for this match for picking up four yellow cards this season. Roy Krishna, of course, is out for the rest of the season.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 14

Mohun Bagan wins – 6

Odisha FC wins – 2

Draws – 2

Probable Lineups

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith, Asish Rai, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte, Deepak Tangri, Manvir Singh, Jason Cummings, Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren

Odisha FC (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Rahim Ali, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ahmed Jahouh, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Hugo Boumous, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Diego Mauricio

Players to Watch

Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)

Jason Cummings has excelled in his partnership with Jamie Maclaren at Mohun Bagan, and looks very comfortably playing in that withdrawn centre-forward role. The Australian forward has been a major creative threat for the Mariners, fuelling their attacking moves with his clevr passes and final product. He’ll aim to maintain his impressive form against Odisha FC by being an absolute pest in the opposition half.

Cummings will try his best to get in the empty spaces in the Odisha final third, as well as sending his teammates through into the key attacking areas with his clever passes. He’ll also look to get at the end of more chances himself to raise his personal goal-scoring possibilities. If Cummings can get into his groove and get his desired freedom in the Odisha half, then he can create a real party for the fans with a sizzling display.

Hugo Boumous (Odisha FC)

An individual who will not be in a party mood on Sunday will be ex-Mohun Bagan midfielder Hugo Boumous, who has enjoyed a prolific 2024-25 season with Odisha FC. He’s been one of their biggest sparks with his proactive threat in the opposition half, managing 10 goal contributions (four goals, six assists) in 19 games. Boumous comes into this goal after scoring and assisting in the win over Hyderabad FC in the last game.

He’ll look to be a menace for the sturdy Mohun Bagan backline with his unpredictable movement and delivery. Boumous will be determined to get one over his former side and ruin their moment, trying to create big chances with his smart final passes and also sneaking his way into goal-scoring areas.

Did you know?

• Mohun Bagan have kept clean sheets in their last five straight ISL matches.
• Hugo Boumous is joint-second in the ISL charts for the most assists for any player, only two assists fewer than Conor Shields.
• The Mariners are yet to lose a match at the Salt Lake Stadium this season, and are on a 9-game winning streak at the stadium.

Telecast Details

The match between Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Sunday (23 February). It kicks off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Star Sports 2 and will be available to stream on JioStar. International viewers can watch the action on the OneFootball app.

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