Churchill Brothers v Punjab FC: Team news and lineups ahead of ISL clash on October 25, 2026

Churchill Brothers will host Punjab FC in Goa in an Indian Super League 2026-27 fixture on October 25, 2026, part of the third match of the competition’s third matchweek. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM IST and the game will be broadcast on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD with free streaming on YouTube.

The match pits home side Churchill Brothers, who are preparing for a third consecutive home game, against Punjab FC, who arrive unbeaten after two matches and currently sit third in the ISL table. Churchill were beaten 4-0 by East Bengal in their most recent outing and will be looking for a response under coach Dimitris Dimitriou, while Pavlos Dermitzakis has overseen a win and a draw for Punjab so far this season.

Churchill’s recent form shows five goals in their last five matches but no clean sheets in 17 games; they opened the new season with a 2-1 victory over Mumbai City FC before the heavy loss to East Bengal in which Bipin Singh scored twice and Ramirez and Lalrindika also found the net. Sayad Kadir has not kept a clean sheet so far this season, and Anuj Kumar is mentioned as a possible option between the posts.

Punjab began with a 2-1 win over the Juggernauts, with Raphael Messi Bouli scoring both the opener and the clincher in Delhi, and followed that with a 1-1 draw against Mumbai City, when Gurkirat scored a late equaliser. That result left Punjab unbeaten in the competition; Gurkirat is expected to be named in the starting eleven, while Md Uvais and Md Suhail have been productive from the left flank and Messi Bouli is described as being in top form.

Predicted lineups listed are: Sayad Kadir (GK); Anil Gaonkar, Melroy Assisi, Gaurav Bora, Maibam Singh; Dramane Salou, A Luwang; Vincy Barretto, Sebastian Gutierrez, Wayde Lekay; John Okoli for Churchill Brothers. For Punjab FC: Arshdeep Singh (GK); K Lhungdim, Bijoy Varghese, Nikhil Prabhu, Md Uvais; Ricky Shabong, Bishu Sharma; Vishal Yadav, Diego Raposo, Md Suhail; Messi Bouli.

Gaurav Bora is highlighted for Churchill after scoring the club’s first-ever ISL goal and for his role in anchoring a defence that builds from the back; he came off the bench against the Islanders and then started in the loss to East Bengal. Bora is noted as a set-piece aerial target and will face a Punjab attack featuring Messi Bouli, Gurkirat and Diego Raposo.

Md Uvais is credited with an assist for Messi Bouli’s goal that was described as the fastest of the season at 39 seconds, and his inverted full-back role and long throws are cited as features of Punjab’s approach that create attacking opportunities from wide areas and set-piece situations.

Churchill Brothers have no reported suspensions or injury worries for the match. Punjab FC will be without Laishram Meitei after he was forced off injured in the 36th minute of their game against the Islanders.

The fixture will take place on October 25, 2026, in Goa with kick-off at 5:00 PM IST as the third match of ISL 2026-27’s third matchweek; live coverage will be available on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and via free streaming on YouTube.