February 22nd 2025.
This weekend, the city of Kolkata will be buzzing as Mohun Bagan Super Giant prepares to host Odisha FC in the 2024-25 Indian Super League at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The Super Giant team is determined to make history by becoming the first club to successfully defend their title in the country's top league.
With an impressive 49 points from 21 games, the Mariners are currently at the top of the standings and are just one win away from being crowned the ISL League Winners. This would also secure their title defense, a feat that has never been achieved before in the league's history. Their closest competition, FC Goa, sits in second place with 39 points from 20 games and can only reach a maximum of 51 points if they win all their remaining matches. Therefore, a single win for Mohun Bagan Super Giant would secure their championship at 52 points.
On the other hand, Odisha FC has their sights set on breaking into the top six in the standings. They currently sit in seventh place with 29 points from 21 games and have a realistic chance of qualifying for the playoffs. However, they will have to overcome their poor away record against the Mariners, having never won in four attempts.
Odisha FC may have a strong attacking record this season, with 40 goals scored from inside the box, the highest of any team in the competition. However, they will face a tough challenge against Mohun Bagan, who have only conceded 11 goals from inside the box, the lowest of any team this season. The Mariners have also kept the most clean sheets in the league, making them a formidable opponent.
In fact, the Mariners have kept clean sheets in their last five ISL games, and another one in this match would make them the first team in the league's history to achieve six consecutive clean sheets. They have also been unbeaten in their last 10 home games, the longest such run in the competition. Only Bengaluru FC, Odisha FC, and Kerala Blasters FC have had longer unbeaten home streaks.
Interestingly, Odisha FC's last win at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan was against East Bengal FC on December 12, 2024. If they manage to defeat Mohun Bagan, they will become the first team in ISL history to claim consecutive wins at this venue.
The two teams have faced each other 12 times in the competition, with Mohun Bagan Super Giant winning five matches and Odisha FC winning just once. The remaining six matches have ended in draws.
Despite their strong position in the standings, Mohun Bagan Super Giant's head coach Jose Molina has made it clear that his team will not be taking it easy in the remaining matches. He emphasized the importance of continuing to fight and give their best in every game. Similarly, Odisha FC's head coach Sergio Lobera stressed the need for his team to maintain a defensive balance against their strong opponents.
Overall, it promises to be an exciting match between these two talented teams, and all eyes will be on the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan as the Super Giant and Juggernauts battle it out for glory.
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