SC Delhi seek home fortress against Odisha FC in ISL relegation fight
Synopsis
Two relegation-haunted sides collide at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. SC Delhi's unbeaten home record faces Odisha's desperation; a win for either team could shift the bottom-table dynamics with just three matches remaining for both sides.
Key Takeaways
SC Delhi host Odisha FC on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi .
Delhi sit in 10th place with 10 points from 10 matches; Odisha are in 13th with 7 points .
SC Delhi remain unbeaten at home (one win, three draws) but have drawn their last three home games.
Matija Babović leads Delhi's attack with four goals ; Rahim Ali is Odisha's primary threat with four goals and three assists .
Odisha are on a six-match winless run and have lost four consecutive away games.
A victory would take Delhi to 13 points and Odisha to 10 points , level with the hosts.
SC Delhi will look to extend their unbeaten home record when they host Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The fixture pits two struggling sides — Delhi in 10th place with 10 points from 10 matches, and Odisha in 13th with 7 points — in a battle where momentum could prove decisive in the race to avoid relegation.
Delhi's home fortress under pressure
SC Delhi have built their season on defensive solidity at home, remaining unbeaten across four ISL fixtures (one win, three draws) despite persistent struggles in the final third. Their most recent outing, a 0-0 draw against Punjab FC last Saturday, exemplified this pattern: disciplined defending anchored by centre-back Rafael Ribeiro kept them safe, yet missed chances from Matija Babović, Joseph Sunny, and winger Sourav cost them a positive result. A victory on Friday would lift them to 13 points and provide crucial breathing room.
Key attacking threats for the hosts
Matija Babović leads the attack with four goals, while left winger Mohammed Aimen has chipped in with two goals and a team-leading three assists. Joseph Sunny, the centre-forward, has contributed three goals and two assists. Defensively, goalkeeper Nora Fernandes ranks first in the league for saves per match (3.6), a testament to the volume of pressure Delhi have absorbed.
Head coach Tchórz on tactics and intent
Manager Tomasz Tchórz confirmed Delhi will persist with their three-at-the-back formation despite recent defensive injuries.
Point of View
Delhi should be turning home advantage into three points, not settling for stalemates. The final third has become their graveyard — Babović, Sunny, and Sourav have all fluffed chances that would have buried lesser opponents. Odisha's historical dominance in this fixture (six straight wins) adds another layer: this is not just about points, but breaking a psychological curse.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SC Delhi's home record in ISL 2025-26?
SC Delhi remain unbeaten at home with one win and three draws from four ISL matches this season. However, three of their last four home fixtures have ended in draws, highlighting their struggle to convert chances into victories.
Where are SC Delhi and Odisha FC positioned in the standings?
SC Delhi sit in 10th place with 10 points from 10 matches, while Odisha FC are in 13th place with 7 points from 10 matches. Both teams are fighting to avoid relegation, with Mohammedan SC currently bottom of the table.
What would a win mean for each team on Friday?
A victory would take SC Delhi to 13 points, strengthening their position in the table. For Odisha, a win would lift them to 10 points, drawing them level with Delhi and providing a crucial lifeline in their relegation battle.
Who are the key attacking players for SC Delhi?
Matija Babović leads the attack with four goals. Mohammed Aimen, the left winger, has two goals and a team-leading three assists, while centre-forward Joseph Sunny has contributed three goals and two assists.
What is Odisha FC's recent form heading into this fixture?
Odisha are on a six-match winless streak that includes four consecutive away defeats. They drew 1-1 against Bengaluru FC on Monday but have struggled to find consistency, keeping just one clean sheet across 10 matches.
