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

There are no favourites in this ISL semi-final as both teams are in fine form.

Odisha FC are set to host Mohun Bagan in the first leg of their 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Tuesday (April 23). Coming off their thrilling win over Kerala Blasters, the Juggernauts need to further improve their performance quality to oust the reigning ISL Shield champions – who will look for their first win over Odisha this season.

The Stakes

Odisha FC

Having slipped up in the ISL Shield race towards the end of the season, Odisha FC only have the playoffs title to play for. Sergio Lobera saw his side lose in the Super Cup final earlier this year and also bow out of the AFC Cup knockout rounds. He needs to ensure that his side makes home advantage count and be a thorn in the Mariners’ side again.

Odisha have to be much more ruthless and defensively more compact than they were against Kerala if they aim to outwit Mohun Bagan. Knowing that the second leg is in front of a daunting Salt Lake Stadium crowd and how a draw or loss can be equally as bad, Odisha have to play incisive attacking football and build up a major lead with a dominant win.

Mohun Bagan

Mohun Bagan are flying high on confidence after winning their inaugural ISL Shield by piping Mumbai City to the title. However, Antonio Habas will be determined to win his third ISL playoffs title in his career and ensure that the Mariners are the undisputed champions of India at the end of the season. The Spaniard needs to get his contingent rallied up and focused on the matches ahead for a fitting end to the 2023-24 season.

Mohun Bagan have to produce a clinical performance and be at their defensive best to get a positive result from the Kalinga Stadium. While Habas will hope they can replicate something similar to the 5-2 battering of Odisha FC at the AFC Cup group stages, a slender win or even a draw can be an acceptable result. A loss, however, can make things really tricky for the Mariners and mellow down the confidence levels at the worst time.

Injury & Team News

Odisha FC have a fully-fit squad available for this clash. Sahal Abdul Samad is fit again, meaning that Ashique Kuruniyan is the only Mohun Bagan first-team player currently out.

Head-to-Head

Games played – 11

Mohun Bagan wins – 5

Odisha FC wins – 1

Draw – 5

Predicted Lineups

Odisha FC (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ahmed Jahouh, Puitea, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Princeton Rebello, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Roy Krishna

Mohun Bagan (3-1-4-2)

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

Players to Watch

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Roy Krishna has been a driving force for Odisha FC’s success in the ISL so far this season and aims to be a tormenting factor for Mohun Bagan again. He knows all too well how Antonio Habas’ teams operate, having played under him in the past. Krishna will look to be a thorn for the Mariners’ backline with his slick off-the-ball movement and ability to create something special in the final third.

Coming off delivering both assists for Odisha in their win over Kerala Blasters, he is flying high on confidence. Krishna will need to be at his best to unlock the Mariners’ backline and help his side get a prominent win. He’ll need to nail his final delivery and find teammates in open spaces to get things going, as well as place himself into key goal-scoring areas to finish off moves in clinical fashion.

Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan)

Dimitri Petratos has been Mohun Bagan’s bonafide ‘big-game star’ and has delivered whenever the big moments have demanded him to. He also provided two assists in his side’s 2-1 win over Mumbai City recently, and has been extremely prolific in Habas’ style – which allows him more freedom to cause chaos in the final third. Petratos had 16 goal contributions in the ISL league stages, something he aims to increase in the playoffs.

He’ll look to be at his sneakiest best in getting past his marker and getting more involved in creating attacking moves by sending his teammates all through into open spaces. Petratos will also need to nail his set-piece delivery to create big chances and has to look to get into more scoring positions himself to increase the Mariners’ chances of fetching a big win.

Did you know?

• Odisha FC are dominating the passing metrics in the ISL, with the top-three passers in the division being their stars in Ahmed Jahouh (1295), Carlos Delgado (985) and Puitea (888).
• Mohun Bagan won the 2023-24 ISL Shield title after picking up 48 points from 22 games, the most any team has picked up at the end of an ISL league stage.
• Amrinder Singh continues to be the contender to win the Golden Glove award, having picked up more clean sheets (9) than any other goalkeeper in the division.
• Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC have played each other four times in the 2023-24 season, picking up one win each.

Telecast

The Odisha vs Mohun Bagan game kicks off at 07:30 PM (IST), at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, on 23 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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