Mohun Bagan Super Giant host Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League on Monday, 26 October, with kick-off set for 7:30 PM IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
The Mariners head into their first home league match of the season after claiming a 1-2 comeback win away to Sporting Club Delhi, while Chennaiyin are searching for their first victory of the campaign following a 2-0 away defeat to Bengaluru FC. Both sides have key fitness questions to resolve ahead of kick-off.
Mohun Bagan team news
Lee Harry Erwin and Miguel Figueira are strong contenders to keep their places after scoring the goals that secured all three points in Delhi. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Dejan Dražić and Anirudh Thapa also featured in that match, giving head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis plenty of options across midfield and attack. All five players are named on Mohun Bagan’s official squad list alongside defenders Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Alberto Rodríguez and Subhasish Bose.
Jamie Maclaren injury update
Jamie Maclaren missed the Mariners’ opening two league games after picking up a hamstring injury during the IFA Shield. A report published by Sangbad Pratidin on 18 October stated that the club hoped he would be ready to face Chennaiyin, though it did not confirm whether he had returned to full training or reached match fitness. Without a newer medical update from the club, the striker remains a doubt for Monday.
Figueira also reportedly picked up a minor knock during the win over Sporting Club Delhi, although the same report noted that the issue was not considered serious and no further update has ruled him out.
Chennaiyin FC team news
Ahead of their trip to Bengaluru on 17 October, Chennaiyin were reported to be without Glan Martins, Vivek S and Maheson Singh Tongbram due to injuries. No new official update has been released since then to confirm whether any of the three players have recovered, leaving their availability uncertain.
Madih Talal is another player to monitor. Earlier reports raised questions about his fitness and suggested his minutes needed to be managed, though there is no confirmation that he will miss Monday’s game.
Speaking before the match in comments reported by DT Next on 24 October, head coach Clifford Miranda emphasised confidence, tactical discipline and sharper execution in the final third. He insisted that his team would stick to its playing style while making any necessary adjustments based on the opposition and player availability.
Also Read: NorthEast United’s fast start: Can they challenge for the ISL title?
Mohun Bagan vs Chennaiyin predicted lineups
The lineups below are projections based on official squad lists, recent selections and the latest available fitness reports. They are not confirmed starting XIs.
Mohun Bagan predicted lineup (4-3-3)
Vishal Kaith, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Mehtab Singh, Alberto Rodríguez, Rahul Bheke, Lalengmawia Ralte (Apuia), Anirudh Thapa, Miguel Figueira, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Lee Harry Erwin, Dejan Dražić.
Erwin is projected to lead the line unless Maclaren receives late clearance to start, which could prompt a change at centre-forward or a shift in formation.
Chennaiyin predicted lineup (4-4-2)
Mohammad Nawaz, Namgyal Bhutia, Emmanuel Imanishimwe, Nuno Reis, Saheef Muhammed, S. Prakadeswaran, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Madih Talal, Lalhriatpuia Chawngthu, Ramon Tanque, Irfan Yadwad.
This projection includes Talal in midfield, though Nikola Stojanović is the main candidate to step in if Talal is not fit enough to start.
Recent form
Mohun Bagan Super Giant
- NorthEast United 1-0 Mohun Bagan (12 October)
- Sporting Club Delhi 1-2 Mohun Bagan (16 October)
After opening their league campaign with a narrow 1-0 defeat away to NorthEast United, the Mariners responded with a second-half turnaround in Delhi. Lalrinliana Hnamte put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute, but Erwin levelled the score in the 56th minute to end Mohun Bagan’s wait for a league goal before Figueira struck the winner four minutes later.
Chennaiyin FC
- FC Goa 1-1 Chennaiyin (10 October)
- Bengaluru FC 2-0 Chennaiyin FC (17 October)
Chennaiyin have taken one point from their opening two fixtures after following up a 1-1 draw against FC Goa with a 2-0 loss in Bengaluru. They started positively against Bengaluru FC and created early chances, but Ryan Williams put the hosts in front in the 24th minute before Mihailo Perović doubled the lead shortly after half-time.
What to expect
Home advantage and momentum from their win in Delhi make Mohun Bagan the favourites, especially if their attacking unit picks up where it left off in the second half of that match.
For Chennaiyin, the priority is turning promising build-up play into goals. Miranda has made clear that his side wants to control the game rather than sit deep, an approach that will require discipline in midfield and much sharper finishing around the penalty box.
Prediction: Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 Chennaiyin FC. The hosts have the stronger recent result and home backing, though Chennaiyin have the attacking options to make this a close contest if they take their chances.
Predicted lineups and injury updates remain subject to change ahead of kick-off, as neither club had published a confirmed starting XI at the time of writing.
