ISL 2023-24: Punjab FC vs Mohun Bagan: Preview, Predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

This is a vital game for both these ISL outfits.

Punjab FC will hope to keep their Indian Super League (ISL) playoff hopes alive when they host a shaken Mohun Bagan side at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi on Saturday (April 6). With the race for that sixth spot getting even tighter, the Shers can’t afford to drop points – which is the same predicament for the Mariners, who need to regain their winning form to keep their dreams of winning the ISL Shield alive.

The Stakes

Punjab FC

Punjab FC have done an admirable job in keeping up in the playoffs race in their first season in the ISL. However, dropping points in recent games have caused them to slightly drop off. The Shers realize the gravity of their last two league games and know that they need maximum points to have a chance of claiming that sixth spot.

Punjab have caused some upsets already this season but they need to produce their best performance so far to oust this star-studded, well-drilled Mohun Bagan side. A draw could seriously hamper their top-six dreams, while a loss might more or less knock them out of the playoff race.

Mohun Bagan

Antonio Habas’ side sustained a shocking defeat to Chennaiyin FC in their last outing. Now, they do not have any margin for error. The proposition is simple yet extremely challenging for the Mariners. They need to win their last three ISL games to clinch the ISL Shield at the end of the league stages.

That means they need to push on and tap into their peak performance levels in these final matches of the campaign. Habas needs to ensure that his side forgets about the Chennaiyin game, doesn’t replicate the errors made in that and are much, much more decisive against Punjab. A win against the Shers will keep their ISL Shield dreams alive, while a draw or a loss can deal major advantages to Mumbai City and Odisha FC.

Injury & Team News

Khaiminthang Lhungdim is suspended for the hosts. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan should have a full squad apart from Sahal Abdul Samad, who remains injured.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 1

Punjab FC wins – 0

Mohun Bagan wins – 1

Draw – 0

Predicted Lineups

Punjab FC (4-3-1-2)

Ravi Kumar (GK), Abhishek Singh, Suresh Meitei, Dimitrios Chatziisaias, Mohamed Salah, Nikhil Prabhu, Ricky Shabong, Ashish Pradhan, Madih Talal, Luka Majcen, Wilmar Jordan Gil

Mohun Bagan (3-1-4-2)

Vishal Kaith (GK), Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste, Subhasish Bose, Abhishek Suryavanshi, Manvir Singh, Joni Kauko, Deepak Tangri, Liston Colaco, Dimitri Petratos, Jason Cummings

Player to Watch

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC)

The Shers will have to play on the front foot if they aspire to defeat Mohun Bagan, and the Mariners’ previous result can give them the confidence to do just that as well. Punjab FC need their star forward Luka Majcen to be at his ruthless, creative best in this one. The 34-year-old is enjoying a prolific debut ISL season, having scored seven goals and provided two assists.

That includes goals against the likes of Mumbai City, FC Goa and Mohun Bagan – showing himself as a big-game player. Majcen has to be a menacing figure with his intelligent off-the-ball movement to help open up space for his teammates and desynchronize the opposition’s backline. However, the Shers will mostly need him to be in the right places and at the end of attacking moves to finish off chances clinically and uplift their chances of winning.

Liston Colaco (Mohun Bagan)

Liston Colaco’s form has significantly improved under Antonio Habas’ system, which gives him more creative freedom and license to make darting runs through the left. He has three goal contributions in his last five appearances, but that really should’ve been more as Liston continues creating a lot of chances with his delivery into the box.

The winger needs to be at his fiery best against Punjab FC and torment them with his exhilarating movement. He needs to get himself into all the prime areas in the final third and nail his crosses perfectly so that his team has the chance of securing a big win. Liston will also look to get himself into areas where he has a clear sight at goal and use his powerful shooting ability to add more explosiveness to Mohun Bagan’s attacking threat.

Did you know?

• Mahdi Talal has the most assists (8) in the ISL so far this season and has also created the most number of chances (49).
• Mohun Bagan suffered their first loss in the Antonio Habas era in a shocking defeat to Chennayin FC in the previous outing.
• Nikhil Prabhu (38) has made more successful interceptions than any other player in the ISL this season.

Telecast

The Punjab FC vs Mohun Bagan game kicks off at 5:00 PM (IST), at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on April 6, 2024. The live telecast will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 channel) and the live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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