Chennai, Apr 16 (PTI) Sporting Club Delhi will aim to extend their good run of form when they face Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League here on Friday.
Later in the evening, Mohammedan SC will hope to gain their first points of the campaign as they travel to face Odisha FC in Bhubaneswar.
Chennaiyin FC return to their home turf, aiming to bounce back from a 1-3 defeat to East Bengal FC, where a late surge by the opposition undid Irfan Yadwad’s first-half equaliser. Currently sitting 12th in the standings with five points, head coach Clifford Miranda’s side must tighten their defensive organisation to secure a much-needed victory.
Sporting Club Delhi are riding a wave of confidence following a dominant 3-0 away victory over NorthEast United FC, powered by a clinical Joseph Sunny brace and a late strike from Mohammed Aimen.
Having secured back-to-back wins, they have climbed to ninth in the standings with eight points. A vital away victory would propel Delhi to 11 points, further accelerating their upward trajectory and consolidating their push into the top half.
Chennaiyin FC hold a commanding edge in this fixture. In their 22 previous ISL encounters (including Delhi’s history as Hyderabad FC and FC Pune City), the Marina Machans boast 12 victories compared to Sporting Club Delhi’s five, alongside five draws.
Chennaiyin have also outscored their opponents 29 to 22 overall. Their most recent clash in December 2024 ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Chennaiyin FC in Chennai.
Odisha FC vs Mohammedan SC ===================== In the day’s second fixture, Odisha FC will be aiming to bounce back from a 1-3 away defeat against FC Goa, where Suhair VP’s stoppage-time strike served only as a late consolation.
Having slipped to 11th in the standings with five points, the Juggernauts will look to capitalise on their home advantage to arrest their slide. Securing maximum points on Friday would elevate Odisha FC to eight points.
Mohammedan SC travel to Bhubaneswar searching for their first point of the season. Languishing at the bottom of the table without a point from seven matches, the Kolkata side suffered another frustrating 0-1 defeat to Inter Kashi in their last fixture, despite an improved attacking display.
Across the two previous ISL meetings, neither team has managed to find the back of the net or claim a victory, with both games ending in 0-0 draws.
Friday’s double-header presents critical scenarios across the points table. For Mohammedan SC, it is a do-or-die battle as they fight to spark a survival bid against the looming threat of relegation.
For Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC, the objective is to secure three points and establish themselves in the safe zone; a victory for Mohammedan against the Juggernauts would leave both sides in dire straits.
Meanwhile, Sporting Club Delhi will look to capitalise on their momentum, continue their unbeaten run, and surge firmly into the top half of the standings. PTI AH AH ATK
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