Defending champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant will look to maintain its impressive start when it hosts Odisha FC in a 2025-2026 Indian Super League match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday.
Thanks to three consecutive wins in their opening matches, Mohun Bagan will start as favorites against an Odisha side that entered the tournament after a relatively short pre-season.
The Mariners will be keen to make the most of their home advantage and add more points to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Fresh from an impressive 5-1 win over Mohammedan Sporting in the previous outing, Mohun Bagan appear to be getting stronger with each passing game under new head coach Sergio Lobera.
The Spanish tactician, who has previously coached several teams in the ISL, will take on his former side Odisha FC in what promises to be an intriguing match.
The Mariners, who currently lead with nine points from three games, have already proven themselves as strong title contenders this season. They will be keen to maintain their consistency and stay on course to defend the crown they won last season.
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Mohun Bagan has rediscovered the form that helped him secure the double in the previous edition of the competition. In three consecutive victories, the team scored nine goals and conceded only once.
The strong start also extends the impressive record of last ISL season, which saw Mohun Bagan remain unbeaten throughout the campaign, winning 16 out of 17 matches so far.
For Lobera, consistency will be key in a shortened season where the margin for recovery is limited.
«In this short season, the number of matches is less. I am happy with the team’s performance and I feel that we are on the right track. Our aim is to finish at the top of the table at the end of the season. We have to be ambitious, but we must concentrate on taking things step by step to win the title,» said Lobera.
Reflecting on his time with Odisha, Lobera admitted that the meeting holds special memories but emphasized the importance of professionalism.
«Obviously, when you play against a former team, it is always special because I had very good moments and memories with them. But we have to be professional and focus on the match because Odisha FC has a very good starting XI,» he added.
Odisha FC, also known as the Juggernauts, had a slow start to the season with two draws in their opening matches. The team is still building up match fitness after a postponed preparation, but will be keen to put in a strong performance against the defending champions.
Head coach TG Purushothaman is likely to emphasize defensive discipline to counter Mohun Bagan’s attacking prowess at home. A positive result against the Mariners would be a big boost for Odisha FC as they look to gain momentum in the ongoing ISL season.
Published on March 5, 2026
