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

Mohun Bagan need to win this leg by at least a two-goal margin, in order to qualify for the ISL final.

Mohun Bagan are eyeing a stunning turnaround in the second leg of their Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final against Odisha FC at the Salt Lake Stadium. Having lost the first leg by a 2-1 margin, the Mariners need to get energized by the motivation from their home supporters and pick up a big win to move into the 2023-24 ISL final.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

The Mariners put up an admirable fight at the Kalinga Stadium, but ultimately came up agonizingly short of a respectable result. Now, they need to win by at least a two-goal margin or on a penalty shootout to book their place in the ISL final. Antonio Habas has reiterated that his side are focused on doing the double in the ISL after clinching the Shield title. In order to claim the reputation for being India’s undisputed best team, they need to win the ISL title now.

That is why Mohun Bagan have to treat this game like a final itself, being clinical in finishing off their chances and being more sturdy in defending against Odisha’s unpredictable attacking patterns. A loss can result in a bitter end to what has been an inspired campaign for Mohun Bagan and end their dreams of becoming only the second ISL team to win both the Shield and the Trophy in the same campaign.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC have actually gotten the better of Mohun Bagan multiple times in the 2023-24 season. Now, Sergio Lobera has to ensure that his side can fetch a positive result against the Kolkata heavyweights one last time in this campaign. Odisha have to be wary of how dangerous Mohun Bagan can be at home, and how relentless they will be on the attack with the energy of a jam-packed Salt Lake Stadium.

Lobera needs to ensure that his side are more compact and proactive with their defensive work to keep the Mariners at bay. They also need to be ruthless in the fast-breaks, set-pieces or whatever chances are created to silence the home crowd. A draw can be as good as a win and help Odisha move into the final, but a bad loss can potentially undo all the impressive work the Juggernauts did in Lobera’s first season and leave them trophyless.

Injury & Team News

Mohun Bagan’s Armando Sadiku will miss this game due to suspension after getting sent off in the first leg. Similarly, Odisha FC will also miss their key defender Carlos Delgado.

Head-to-head

Games Played – 12

Mohun Bagan wins – 5

Odisha wins – 2

Draws – 5

Predicted Lineups

Mohun Bagan (3-1-4-2)

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

Odisha FC (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Narender Gahlot, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ahmed Jahouh, Puitea, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Roy Krishna, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Diego Mauricio

Players to Watch

Jason Cummings (Mohun Bagan)

With Armando Sadiku suspended, Jason Cummings is going to bear the responsibility of leading the line for Mohun Bagan in this crunch game. Having scored 17 goals so far in his debut season, it has been a fairly successful one for the 28-year-old. However, the reason why Mohun Bagan spent big to rope him in was because of an expectation that he would come up big in the biggest matches.

After scoring a key goal in the win over Mumbai City, Cummings will be tasked to be at his decisive best against Odisha too. Cummings loves to be a menace in the final third and will try to use his clever off-the-ball movement and link-up play to disrupt the visitors’ backline. But he’ll have to be at his trickiest best in terms of finishing off chances and significantly raising his side’s chances of getting a big win.

Ahmed Jahouh (Odisha FC)

Ahmed Jahouh caused a lot of trouble to Mohun Bagan in the first leg, but he faces an even sterner test in the upcoming one. Jahouh will not only be tasked to ensure that Odisha compete strongly in the midfield battle, but will also have to drop deeper to help out his backline in Carlos Delgado’s absence.

He will play a key part in helping kick-start Odisha’s attacking moves with his brilliant line-breaking passes and long-balls. However, he also needs to work hard to cut down the Mariners’ attacks and protect the backline. Jahouh needs to be pitch-perfect with his set-piece delivery to create big goal-scoring chances and maintain his temperament to ensure that the Juggernauts can sustain themselves against the Mariners and move into the ISL final.

Did you know?

• Manvir Singh’s goal against Odisha FC in the first-leg was the second-fastest goal ever scored in an ISL semi-final.
• Amrinder Singh can clinch the 2023-24 ISL Golden Glove title by getting a clean-sheet against Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium.
• Mohun Bagan have scored the most goals (48) in this ISL season so far.

Telecast

The Mohun Bagan vs Odisha FC game kicks off at 07:30 PM (IST), at Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 28 April 2024. The live telecast of the fixture will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). 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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