OFC vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Thursday, 27 September 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Kalinga Stadium, Odisha
OFC vs MCFC Match Preview
Odisha FC recovered well from their heavy loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the AFC Cup by registering a 2-0 victory over Chennaiyin FC in the ISL opener. Jerry Mawihmingthanga and substitute Diego Mauricio were on target as the Kalinga Warriors created better chances. With a vibrant start to the new season with a new look to their side, Odisha FC will wish to keep the momentum going although they will face the first big test of the campaign against Mumbai City in the second game. The team has made the majority of dealings with the Islanders in the summer for the new season and also has appointed their ex-coach Sergio Lobera. The Spaniard won the double in his year stay at his previous club hoping to bring the same glory to Odisha. It adds an extra spice to the battle which could be branded as the Lobera derby. The Juggernauts will be hoping for a better return than only their one win in the last five matches. That win did come at their home and will be the source of the inspiration if they are to beat the Shield winners. They face the Basundhara Kings of Bangladesh in the AFC Cup only three days later so a victory will help to change their fortunes around in that competition.
The ISL Shield winners had a positive beginning to the new campaign by holding onto a 2-1 win over NorthEast United at Guwahati. After a frustrating loss in the AFC Champions League, a winning start was required in the league and their star strike Jorge Pereyra Diaz’s first-half brace helped them to it. However, the Islanders will not be too relaxed about their win as the Highlanders gave a good fight against them and even equalized the score at the half-hour mark through their talented forward Parthib Gogoi. Mumbai City will argue that Mehtab Singh’s header from a corner, also taking a boot to his face in the process, deep into the second half would have killed the game off. However, the referee disallowed the goal due to Lallianzuala Chhangte was adjudged to be in the eye-line of the keeper. The decision was controversial and could have given the ticket for NorthEast to climb back into the game. In the end, Mumbai City will be happy with the three points and will look to establish an early lead on the top of the table with another away game to look forward to. Having a clear edge over their next opposition Odisha FC, Des Buckingham’s team will be searching for victory while facing some known faces who have jumped ship.
OFC vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
OFC: Amrinder Singh; Amey Ranawade, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala; Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, Puitea; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Diego Mauricio, Isak Vanlalruatfela
MCFC: Mohammed Nawaz; Rahul Bheke, Mehtab Singh, Rostyn Griffiths, Akash Mishra; Apuia, Van Nieff, Greg Stewart; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Diaz, Bipin Singh
OFC vs MCFC Head-to-Head
Played - 8
OFC won - 3
Draw - 0
MCFC won - 5
(As Odisha FC)
OFC vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Nawaz (7.5)
DEF: Ranawade (7.5), Fall (8.5), Griffiths (8), Mehtab (8)
MID: Jerry (8.5), Jahouh (9), Stewart (9)
FW: Chhangte (9), Diaz (8.5), Mauricio (9)
Vice-captain: Diego Mauricio
Captain: Jorge Diaz
