SC Delhi v Mohun Bagan: ISL 2026-27 preview and team news

SC Delhi will host Mohun Bagan at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on Friday, 16 October 2026, in an Indian Super League match as both teams seek a response after narrow opening-day defeats. The encounter follows disappointing results for each side in the season’s first round and carries early-season urgency for three points.

SC Delhi conceded a lead and lost to Bengaluru FC in their ISL opener, while Mohun Bagan went down 1-0 to NorthEast United after a last-minute goal; Tomasz Tchorz and Panagiotis Dilmperis both face the task of adjusting tactics and rallying their squads. Tchorz is expected to focus on defensive solidity and refining attacking transitions to improve finishing, and Dilmperis has been urged to get his forwards sharper and to hold a more compact shape to trouble the hosts.

SC Delhi should name the same squad that began their opener against Bengaluru FC. Jamie Maclaren remains the major injury absentee for Mohun Bagan after sustaining a hamstring injury recently. Players mentioned in the preview include Nora Fernandes (GK), Langoulem Hangshing, Nduka Junior, Duvan Viafara, Manoj Mohammad, Yanglem Singh, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Mohammed Azhar, Juan Pena, Mohammed Aimen, Rodriguinho, Vishal Kaith (GK), Abhishek Singh, Rahul Bheke, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte, Anirudh Thapa, Miguel Figueira, Manvir Singh, Dejan Drazic and Lee Erwin.

Juan Pena produced a promising debut against Bengaluru FC, presenting an unpredictable threat in the final third and contributing notable duel-winning moments in his first ISL game; the 27-year-old Colombian will make his home debut for SC Delhi. The preview states Pena will aim to trouble Mohun Bagan with clever off-the-ball runs and must be precise with his final-third passing and proactive in getting into goal-scoring areas to increase SC Delhi’s attacking threat.

Dejan Drazic featured for Mohun Bagan wearing a protective headband after suffering a head injury in the IFA Shield final and had no goal involvement against NorthEast United. The article says Drazic will seek to be more unpredictable with his movement, make clever forward runs, deliver more inviting crosses or finish chances himself to regain confidence and secure his starting role.

A victory for SC Delhi would provide early-season validation as a threat, while another heavy defeat could be demoralising for the hosts; similarly, a clear win for Mohun Bagan would offer a confidence boost, but dropping points again would fuel criticism of Panagiotis Dilmperis and his players. Both coaches are presented as needing tangible improvements in attack and defensive organisation to alter their teams’ starts to the campaign.

The match will kick off at 7:30 PM IST and will be shown live on the Sony Sports Network, with livestreaming available on Sony LIV and YouTube.