Punjab FC vs Odisha FC Prediction: Punjab won first game of season

Punjab FC will welcome Odisha FC in Gameweek 12 of the Indian Super League at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi. Punjab have won the first game of the season and would want to close the year on a high note. Who will win? 

Punjab FC is preparing for their inaugural ISL match against Odisha FC, but a concerning trend is their inability to win in the first encounter against any team this season. Even their victory against Chennaiyin FC occurred in the second faceoff with the Owen Coyle-coached team. It is advisable for them to extract valuable lessons from each opponent, considering that every side is currently an unknown entity for them. There is room for improvement in developing more sustainable attacking patterns in the final third.

During this campaign, Punjab FC has taken 47% of their shots from outside the box, the highest among all teams. While this highlights the individual brilliance and confidence of their players, a team can enhance their goal-scoring opportunities by testing the opposition's goalkeeper from closer or inside the box. Talal's decisive goal in the previous game exemplified this strategy, as he entered the box and successfully placed a shot past Debjit Majumder on the near post, securing three points for his team.

Kiran Chemjong (GK), K Lhungdim, Suresh Meitei, Dimitros Chatziisaias, Nitesh Darjee; Prashant K, Ashis Pradhan, Nikhil Prabhu, Krishnananda Singh; Jordan Wilmar Gil, Luka Majcen.

Odisha FC has achieved four clean sheets in their last five matches, an impressive feat that includes back-to-back shutouts in the most recent two games. In the history of the ISL, the Juggernauts have never gone three consecutive matches without conceding a goal. The team's success under the coaching of Lobera is notably built on a disciplined defensive foundation, led by the center-back duo of Mourtada Fall and Carlos Delgado. Fall, in particular, has contributed to crucial goals, maximizing set-piece situations.

The midfield seamlessly combines creativity with a solid presence, ensuring the fulfilment of both offensive and defensive objectives. The experienced duo of Roy Krishna and Diego Mauricio in the frontline instils significant confidence among the players. Adding to their defensive strength, goalkeeper Amrinder Singh holds the record for the most clean sheets (42) in ISL history. Despite their offensive prowess, Odisha FC faced a minor setback in the match against East Bengal FC, highlighting the potential cost of such lapses to their season ambitions. Consequently, Lobera aims to guide his team back on track in the upcoming fixtures.

Amrinder Singh (GK), Amey Ranawade, Narender Gahlot, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Ahmed Jahouh, CY Goddard, Princeton Rebello, Isak Vanlalruatfela, Roy Krishna.

Odisha faces concerns heading into their forthcoming away game against Punjab. Having struggled for the majority of 2023, Punjab aims to conclude the year on a positive note following a recent victory over Chennaiyin. Punjab seeks to capitalize on this win, but a defeat appears to be a more probable outcome given Odisha's form.