Odisha FC will take on Chennaiyin FC as both sides look to register their first win of the season in their Indian Super League 2025-26 match at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Odisha FC goes into the match looking to capitalize on its passionate home advantage. After a goalless draw against Inter Kashi FC in their season opener, the Juggernauts will be eager to discover their clinical edge and open their goalscoring record in Bhubaneswar.
With Odisha currently in ninth place with one point after a tight defensive performance led by goalkeeper Amrinder Singh, the side knows the importance of turning their home ground into a fortress early in the season.
Odisha FC head coach TG Purushottaman highlighted his team’s focus on maintaining intensity and finding the finishing touch. «We created several chances in our first game but lacked the finishing touch. It doesn’t matter whether the opponents won or lost. It’s how we use space – how we create it, how we deny it and how we apply pressure. Consistency is what we build.»
Odisha FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh said, «After just three days of training together, keeping a clean sheet shows the character of this team. As a goalkeeper and captain, I stay calm because everyone else is watching me. If I show pressure, they lose confidence. Defense can be organized quickly, but attack needs time. Now we have had more sessions and we are ready to improve in the future.»
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Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC arrive in Bhubaneswar aiming to bounce back from a difficult start to the season. Clifford Miranda’s men are looking for their first point and first goal of the season after consecutive defeats. In the recent 0-2 defeat against Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the Chennai side struggled offensively and failed to register a single shot on target.
The visitors currently sit 11th in the points table and will look for better defensive organization and sharper counter-attacks against their opponents to turn around their fortunes.
Chennaiyin FC head coach Clifford Miranda acknowledges the home support from Odisha fans at the Kalinga Stadium and views the pressure as a vital development tool for his side.
«We have faced two very tough opponents in our first two matches and we need some time to cope with the pressure and intensity of our new system. The team is constantly evolving and improving. It has only been two matches. We have to stay positive, stick together and be at our best to compete and get a positive result against Odisha,» Miranda said.
Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Samik Mitra said: «The morale in our dressing room is still high despite the results. We want to win the next match and move up the points table. Against Mohun Bagan, we defended large areas well but were punished for small margins. We have to stick to the plan as a team and results will follow.»
Odisha FC will look to control and dictate the tempo for their home fans, while Chennaiyin FC will look to remain compact and capitalize on transitions. With three important points at stake, the match promises to be an interesting battle.
Published on February 28, 2026
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