Odisha vs ATK Mohun Bagan: Preview and Prediction
In a bid to bolster their chances of finishing at top of the table and subsequently qualifying for the AFC Champions League, ATK Mohun Bagan will take on Odisha in ‘Match 100’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Thursday.
ATK Mohun Bagan has been almost flawless in the last few weeks and has one foot in the semi-finals. With 30 points from 16 matches, they are occupying the third position in the standings.
On the other hand, Odisha has failed to live up to the expectations despite making a few statement signings prior to the season. Having accumulated 22 points from 18 matches, the Kalinga Warriors are reeling at the seventh position and their semi-final hopes are hanging by a thread.
Current Form
There is a stark difference in the current form of these two teams. While the Mariners happen to be the only team to have remained unbeaten in their last five matches, the Kalinga Warriors are among the three sides who have not won any of their last three fixtures.
The Kolkata giants have gathered seven points from their previous three matches, courtesy of two victories and a draw. Juan Ferrando’s men played out a 2-2 draw against Kerala Blasters in their last match, while in the two games preceding that, they won 2-0 against Goa and 3-1 against NorthEast United.
On the contrary, Odisha has managed to pick up only a solitary point from their last three games. In their previous encounter, Kino Garcia’s men lost 2-1 against Bengaluru, which extinguished the little hopes they had of making it to the semis.
Before facing the Blues, the Kalinga Warriors played out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin, whilst the preceding game against Mumbai City resulted in a 4-1 thrashing.
Head to Head Record
ATK Mohun Bagan clearly holds the edge in terms of head-to-head records as they have won two of the three matches against Odisha, whereas the other fixture ended in a draw. That fixture was incidentally played out earlier this season, where both teams played attacking football and got a combined total of 29 shots, but neither could open the scoring.
Team News
Roy Krishna and Hugo Boumous are likely to be handed starts
Garcia is expected to make three changes to the playing XI that lost against Bengaluru. Victor Mongil had a tough time dealing with the likes of Cleiton Silva and Prince Ibara in the last match and might have to make way for Gaurav Bora in this game.
This change will subsequently free up an overseas slot for the Spanish tactician, allowing him to replace an out-of-form Jerry Mawihmingthanga with former RCD Mallorca attacking Aridai Cabrera. Besides that, Hendry Antonay is likely to come in for Lalruatthara.
Ferrando is likely to make two changes to the team that rescued a point against the Tuskers. Hugo Boumous and Roy Krishna, two of the Mariners’ overseas stars, are now fit to feature and could be handed starts in this match.
If Krishna does come in, David Williams might have to make way despite finding the back of the net in the last match. Boumous is likely to take up his familiar number ten position which will then force Joni Kauko to play in a withdrawn position, with Carl McHugh dropping to the bench.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Odisha (4-2-3-1): Kamaljit Singh; Hendry Antonay, Gaurav Bora, Hector Rodas, Sahil Panwar; Thoiba Singh, Isaac Vanmalsawma; Aridai Cabrera, Javi Hernandez, Nandhakumar Sekar; Jonathas.
ATK Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1): Amrinder Singh; Pritam Kotal, Sandesh Jhinghan, Tiri, Subhasish Bose; Joni Kauko, Lenny Rodrigues; Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Liston Colaco; Roy Krishna.
Prediction
Be it head-to-head statistics or current form, ATK Mohun Bagan is ahead of Odisha in every given aspect. Hence, we have predicted a 3-1 scoreline in favor of the Mariners.