The game also marked the emotional return of former MCFC  Head Coach Sergio Lobera to familiar territory, this time at the helm of Odisha FC. As may be recalled the Spaniard Sergio had led the Islanders’ to a historic double in the 2020-21 season.

Both teams will be looking to secure a critical win. Mumbai City FC which registered their maiden win in the ISL 2024-25 season with a hard fought 2-1 win against FC Goa at the Fatorda Stadium last weekend following key first half goals from their foreign recruits Nikolaos Karelis (21’0 and Yoell van Nieff (40’), before Armando Sadiku (55’) second  half consolation from the penalty spot reduced  the margin of the loss for the host. The Petr Kratky-coached MCFC side which is currently placed tenth in the 13 team league table points with five points from four games, however would be looking forward to built on the same in their quest for their first home win against the visitors, providing its passionate fans a perfect Diwali Gift.

Odisha FC who are currently placed eighth with seven points from five games on the other hand aim to end their away game losing streak against the defending champions.

For statistics conscious Football fans Mumbai City FC’s has had an overwhelming run against Odisha FC, netting at least twice in each of their last eight encounters and will look to extend their offensive dominance by capitalizing on their chances into goals, driven by the support of the West Coast Brigade.

 Though Odisha FC have conceded two or more goals in each of their last four matches on the road, the visitors would like to improve on the record. The visitors have been however ruthless from set pieces with 56% of their goals this season being accounted for taking its overall count to five, just one behind last year’s ISL finalist Mohun Bagan Super Giant (6), who are currently placed third in the league table with 10 points from five games. The experienced duo of former MCFC players Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall, will be instrumental if Odisha FC are to replicate those heroics in this clash.
 
Head-to-Head the two teams have played each other 10 times in the ISL. Mumbai City FC have won six games and Odisha FC have emerged victorious thrice. Only one encounter has resulted in a draw.

Mumbai City FC Head Coach Petr Kratky who was happy after his team finally got their maiden three points in their bag against FC Goa expressed his confidence that the team is on the right path and happy with the present camaraderie in their setup.

“We still need to improve a lot of football, but we are on a good pathway. The boys are together, which is very important, and fight until the last minute. So, I'm very happy for the group, and again, it's part of football, where we need to just go game by game, and now we have to focus on the other one,” Kratky said.

Odisha FC, much like Mumbai City FC, head into this game on the back of a 2-1 win. Their triumph against East Bengal FC must have come as a sigh of relief for Sergio Lobera, but he is demanding more from his players.  

“Results are important but as a coach I have to analyse. And from my analysis, I feel we need to improve. The result can't change my mentality as a coach. We need to be ambitious and we need to improve,” Lobera said.

Mumbai City FC might look to unveil their trump card in Bipin Singh for this game, as the winger has recorded nine goal contributions in the fixtures against Odisha FC in the ISL. Bipin is a menace for the opposition’s backline with his piercing pace and trickery on the ball and is equally proficient in terms of converting opportunities consistently too.
 
Odisha FC’s Hugo Boumous on the other hand has settled quickly into the team, setting up three goals in this campaign thus far. He has recorded the highest differential (+1.81) between expected assists (1.19) and actual assists this season, operating effectively in the pocket of space behind the striker, bringing the whole frontline together with his widespread passing range and an eye for a strike.
 
Also Odisha FC’s tall lanky attacking defender Mourtada Fall has won 26 out of his 32 contested duels in the present season. Further he has also scored two headed goals and won 13 out of his 17 aerial duels. The home team will have to watch out for his vital contributions in the air at both ends of the field.