ISL: Odisha FC's Offensive Approach Clashes Against Mohun Bagan's Defensive Setup

Odisha FC will take on Mohun Bagan in a clash between two contrasting styles of play in Indian Super League (ISL) here on Sunday.

Although hosts have mand only a triumph against visitors in ir previous 11 meetings, former will be desperate to utilise ir home vant to fullest this term.

tably, Juggernauts are unbeaten versus Mariners at home in ir last three engments, winning once and drawing twice.

Moreover, OFC is on a home scoring streak -- scoring in 16 of ir 17 home outings under Sergio Lobera’s watch.

At same time, Bagan boasts of a tight defence, as side is coming off three straight clean sheets, besides having netted multiple goals in all those meetings and winning each of m.

Currently, Mohun Bagan is placed second in points table with 13 points from six matches, whereas Odisha is ninth with eight points in seven games.

Juggernauts have averd over two strikes in ir previous eight home contests -- ir longest such streak in ISL to date.

Also, with likes of Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio, Lobera has reliable strikers to turn things around and execute pressure on opposition’s backline.

Odisha is famous for its possession-based game-play, averaging 8.6 sequences of 10-plus passes per game, most in ISL alongside Bengaluru FC.

Meanwhile, Mariners are coming off a run of three ISL victories with clean sheets, including success over Mohammedan SC (3-0) and East Bengal FC (2-0), highlighting ir defensive resilience.

ir organised backline is portrayed by fact that y have earned expected goals against (xGA) total of just 4.83 this season -- second lowest among all teams -- trailing only Punjab FC (4.33).

Mohun Bagan has also been persistent in converting most of chances from set-pieces -- seven goals from set-pieces this season -- leing league in this metric, just ahe of Odisha (6).

Ahe of fixture, Odisha he coach Lobera asserted that utilising home vant will be of utmost importance for his side.

“I have full trust in my players. Kalinga is a very special place. I am hopeful we can go into international break with three points to our name,” Lobera said.

Meanwhile, MBSG he coach Jose Molina sounded his faith in his team previaling over hosts' star players Roy Krishna and Hugo Boumous.

“re’s always extra motivation to do well against your former team. In my opinion, y are good players," Molina said.

"I have full respect for m. But, I also have confidence in my players and our preparation.” two sides have met on 11 instances in competition, with Mariners winning five ties, whereas five have resulted in a draw. Only once have OFC emerged triumphant.

Also, Juggernauts’ Ahmed Jahouh will become first player to play 100 ISL encounters under a single he coach.

Besides, a goal here for Diego Mauricio against visitors would mark 11th team he scores against in ISL -- behind Bartholomew Ogbeche (14), Sunil Chhetri (14) and Roy Krishna (12).

Kick-off: 7.30 pm IST.