ISL 2026-27: Sporting Club Delhi Look to Bounce Back Against Mohun Bagan SG at JLN

New Delhi, October 15: Sporting Club Delhi will aim to secure their first points of the MG Indian Super League (MG ISL) 2026-27 season when they host Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Friday. Both teams enter the contest looking to recover from narrow defeats in their respective opening fixtures.

Tomasz Tchórz's young Delhi side showed plenty of promise in their season opener against Bengaluru FC, producing an impressive performance before eventually going down 3-2. The Phoenixes displayed attacking intent and resilience to take a half-time lead in the contest in Bengaluru but were left disappointed after conceding a late 89th-minute winner.

Returning to their home ground, Sporting Club Delhi will look to build on the positives from that performance and convert their encouraging display into a result. Their high-tempo pressing and attacking energy could prove important against a Mohun Bagan SG side that is also searching for a response.

The Mariners suffered a late defeat against NorthEast United FC on Monday, leaving head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis with the task of getting his team back on track. Despite the setback, the Greek tactician remains focused on securing maximum points in every fixture.

"Every game we are approaching with the same aim, which is to get three points," he said, speaking to the media on the eve of the game.

Mohun Bagan SG will be without midfielder Deepak Tangri, who is serving a suspension. However, the squad possesses considerable depth, giving Dilmperis several options as he looks to make adjustments ahead of Friday's encounter. The Mariners did not hold a pre-match press conference.

Delhi are expected to rely on the intensity and continuity they demonstrated against Bengaluru FC, with their pressing game potentially testing a rotated Mohun Bagan SG defence. The hosts will look to put the visitors under pressure early and take advantage of any defensive lapses.

For the Mariners, attacking quality remains a major strength. Lallianzuala Chhangte, Dejan Dražić and Lee Erwin provide significant firepower, but the visitors will need to be more clinical in the final third to break down a disciplined Delhi defence.

The fixture also brings back memories of last season's dramatic meeting, when Mohun Bagan SG secured a 2-1 victory through late injury-time heroics. However, East Bengal ultimately claimed the league crown on goal difference.

With both teams eager to open their points account following disappointing results, Friday's clash promises an intense contest. Sporting Club Delhi will seek to make home advantage count, while Mohun Bagan SG will look to reassert their credentials and return to winning ways.