The new Indian Super League (ISL) season begins for the Mariners with a heavyweight clash against the Highlanders. NorthEast United host Mohun Bagan on 12 October at 7:30 PM in Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
Mohun Bagan arrives at the game under new coach Panagiotis Dilmperis after parting ways with Sergio Lobera and after losing the Durand Cup final 4-1 to East Bengal. However, they did get a redemption recently against their archrivals as they defeated Habas’ side in the IFA Shield finals to lift the trophy for the second consecutive year.
NorthEast, coached by Juan Pedro Benali, are looking to recover from a disastrous 2025-26 campaign and have overhauled their foreign contingent while retaining Alaeddine Ajaraie who spent the second half of last season on loan in Indonesia.
These two sides have already met twice this season. The first one was in the 2026 Durand Cup where the Mariners eliminated the Highlanders in the semi-finals on penalties while the more recent game in IFA Shield group stage ended up in a 1-1 draw.
As Panagiotis Dilmperis and Juan Pedro Benali prepare their sides for their opening game of the league, let’s take a look at the three key individual battles that could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game.
Also read: Analyzing Mohun Bagan SG’s foreign signings for ISL 2026-27 – Footy India
1. Alaeddine Ajaraie vs Alberto Rodríguez: the league’s most dangerous forward against Mohun Bagan’s Spanish defender
Ajaraie is NorthEast’s biggest asset. He returns from a loan spell in Indonesia, and he has an ISL Golden Boot and Golden Ball to his name, with 30 goal contributions in 25 league appearances. Mohun Bagan’s answer is Alberto Rodríguez Martín in defense, likely helped by new Bosnian signing Samir Zeljkovic.
Mohun Bagan like to push up and dominate possession, which leaves space in behind. Ajaraie thrives on exactly those counter-attacking runs. If Alberto keeps his positioning disciplined and stays tight to him, Mohun Bagan will control the game. If Ajaraie gets a single clear run on goal, he rarely wastes it.
2. Lee Erwin vs Eneko Satrústegui: the new Scottish striker against the veteran who replaces Zabaco
Erwin is one of Mohun Bagan’s key summer signings, arriving from the Jordanian side Al-Faisaly. He is a Scottish forward and part of a front line that also includes Jamie Maclaren, Kiyan Nassiri and Suhail Bhat. Facing him is NorthEast’s new center-back. Satrústegui is 35, a left-footed defender with LaLiga experience at Osasuna and Racing Santander, who replaces departed captain Michel Zabaco. He is said to be a good reader of the game who likes to build play from the back.
It is a contest between a new arrival still settling into Indian conditions and a defender who relies on experience and anticipation. Satrústegui may lose a footrace, so he needs to win the early physical and aerial duels. If Erwin finds space between the centre-backs, Mohun Bagan’s wide players will have a target to aim at.
3. Nikola Ninković vs Anirudh Thapa: the new creator against Mohun Bagan’s midfield anchor
Ninković, the 31-year-old Serbian attacking midfielder with experience at Empoli and Genoa, is expected to play behind Ajaraie and open up defenses for him. Thapa, Miguel Figueira and Dejan Drazic are the midfielders most likely to stop him.
Whether Thapa and Figueira can shut down the space between the lines decides who controls the game. If they do, Ajaraie is starved of service. If Ninković finds pockets of space, Mohun Bagan’s defenders will be under constant pressure. NorthEast’s Antonio Moyano, a 26-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder who joins from Diamond Harbour, offers a second creative option.
The verdict
Mohun Bagan have the deeper squad and the better record against NorthEast, but the Highlanders have the more dangerous single player. If Ajaraie wins his duel, they can pull off an upset. If Erwin and Thapa dominate theirs, Mohun Bagan should take all three points.
When and where to watch the match?
The match between NorthEast United FC and Mohun Bagan SG will be played on 12th October 2026, at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.
The game will be broadcasted live on the Sony Sports Network, and live streamed on YouTube for free.
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