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Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC - ISL 2025-26 Super League Round 7: Full Preview, Form Guide, H2H, Key Players & Prediction
Summary: Punjab FC returned from the international break with serious momentum - they just hammered Kerala Blasters 3-1 on the road. Mohammedan SC, meanwhile, arrived in Chandigarh having conceded seven goals to East Bengal just days ago. On paper, this looks like a mismatch. In Indian football, though, stories rarely follow scripts. Here is everything you need to know before the biggest one-sided fixture of ISL 2025-26 Round 7.
The Match At A Glance
Friday, 3 April 2026 | 7:30 PM IST | Guru Nanak Stadium, Chandigarh | JioHotstar & Star Sports 3
Setting the Scene: The Shers Are Flying, the Black Panthers Are Floundering
When Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC step onto the Guru Nanak Stadium turf on the evening of 3 April 2026, they will be doing so from entirely different emotional universes.
Punjab FC - affectionately called the Shers by their fanbase - are coming off arguably their best performance of the season. Punjab FC dominated Kerala Blasters in Kochi on Saturday, 21 March, racing to a 3-0 lead inside the first half and eventually winning 3-1 to climb the Super League standings.
Three different goalscorers, a clinical high press, a leaky opponent ruthlessly punished. That is the kind of performance that builds belief in a dressing room.
Mohammedan SC, on the other hand, are going through what can only be described as a season to forget. The ISL 2025-26 season resumes on April 3, 2026, following the international break, with Mehrajuddin Wadoo's side travelling to face Punjab FC, who are currently seventh on the table with eight points and a game in hand. And their most recent outing was a nightmare - East Bengal handed Mohammedan SC a crushing 7-0 derby demolition, a scoreline that encapsulates exactly how difficult this campaign has been for the Black Panthers.
The contrast between these two clubs in the 2025-26 Super League standings tells you everything you need to know.
Mohammedan SC, on the other hand, are going through what can only be described as a season to forget. The ISL 2025-26 season resumes on April 3, 2026, following the international break, with Mehrajuddin Wadoo's side travelling to face Punjab FC, who are currently seventh on the table with eight points and a game in hand. And their most recent outing was a nightmare - East Bengal handed Mohammedan SC a crushing 7-0 derby demolition, a scoreline that encapsulates exactly how difficult this campaign has been for the Black Panthers.
Current League Standing: Day and Night
The contrast between these two clubs in the 2025-26 Super League standings tells you everything you need to know.
Mumbai City FC lead the standings with 14 points from 6 games, while Punjab FC sit in 7th place with 8 points and a game in hand over most of the sides around them. Punjab's record of two wins, two draws and two losses shows a side that is still finding consistency - but their quality on good days is undeniable.
Mohammedan SC, with zero points and five defeats from five games, are rock bottom. They are not merely struggling; they are in a full-blown crisis.
The Last Time These Two Met: Punjab's Dominant Night in Delhi
The most recent league fixture between these two sides set the template for what Punjab FC can do when they are sharp. Punjab FC ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Mohammedan SC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi, with two second-half strikes from Luka Majcen and Filip Mrzlijak in the space of just eight minutes sealing the three points for the Shers.
That victory also served as a landmark moment for two young Indian talents. Punjab FC goalkeeper Muheet Shabir and left-back Tekcham Abhishek Singh both made debut appearances to remember - facing 18 shots while conceding none, with Muheet commanding his area and Abhishek contributing to both the offensive and defensive structures. It is rare for two debutants to inspire such confidence in a single game, and it speaks volumes about Punjab's squad depth.
And it was not just the league. In the AIFF Super Cup played earlier in 2025-26, Punjab made it even more emphatic - winning 3-0 against the same opposition, asserting complete dominance across both legs of their clashes this season.
Punjab's Season Story: Grit, Goals and a Breakthrough Win
Punjab's Super League campaign has had its share of highs and lows, but the overall trajectory is pointing upward. Their breakthrough Super League win came in style. Punjab FC claimed a 2-0 away victory over Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 27 February 2026, powered by a first-half brace from Nigerian striker Effiong Nsungusi, who opened the scoring with a near-post header before converting a second after a brilliant assist from Dani Ramirez.
Since then, they have added a draw against NorthEast United FC and - most encouragingly - that commanding 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters in Kochi. In Kochi, Punjab's high press was relentless, with Samir Zeljkovic scoring the opener in the 7th minute, Bede Osuji doubling the lead after capitalising on a fumbled pass, and Dani Ramirez heading home a rebound off the post to make it 3-0 at the break. Three goals, three different goalscorers - this is not a one-man team. This is a system working.
Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis has built a side that presses hard, wins duels relentlessly, and can hurt opponents through multiple routes.
It would be easy to simply pile on Mohammedan SC for their results, but the context matters enormously. In their previous seven matches before this round, Mohammedan had managed just one draw and lost the rest - a rough patch that has been ongoing for much of their debut ISL season.
The 7-0 defeat to East Bengal was particularly brutal. East Bengal's Youssef Ezzejjari scored twice from the penalty spot, while Anwar Ali, PV Vishnu and others piled on to complete a comprehensive demolition, with Mohammedan reduced to ten men at one point during a miserable evening.
Yet interim head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo - a respected figure in Indian football as a former national team player - has spoken about finishing the season with pride and giving something back to the club's famously loyal supporters. It is a message of dignity in difficult circumstances, and it should not be dismissed. The lessons this squad is learning will shape Mohammedan SC's future.
The current head-to-head record across all competitions stands at Punjab FC 5 wins, Mohammedan SC 0 wins, and 4 draws from their 9 meetings.
Not a single win for the Black Panthers in nine attempts. That is a psychological burden that Mohammedan SC will have to overcome even before the referee blows the first whistle. Punjab, knowing they have never lost to this opponent, will take to the pitch with a quiet confidence that is difficult to manufacture.
For Punjab FC - Effiong Nsungusi (Striker)
The Nigerian forward has been Punjab's most dangerous attacker in the Super League phase. His brace against Bengaluru and his involvement in the Kerala win make him the man Mohammedan SC's defence will be most worried about. He leads with clever movement off the ball and has an excellent understanding with Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez.
Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis has built a side that presses hard, wins duels relentlessly, and can hurt opponents through multiple routes.
Mohammedan SC's Season: A Painful Education at the Top Level
It would be easy to simply pile on Mohammedan SC for their results, but the context matters enormously. In their previous seven matches before this round, Mohammedan had managed just one draw and lost the rest - a rough patch that has been ongoing for much of their debut ISL season.
The 7-0 defeat to East Bengal was particularly brutal. East Bengal's Youssef Ezzejjari scored twice from the penalty spot, while Anwar Ali, PV Vishnu and others piled on to complete a comprehensive demolition, with Mohammedan reduced to ten men at one point during a miserable evening.
Yet interim head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo - a respected figure in Indian football as a former national team player - has spoken about finishing the season with pride and giving something back to the club's famously loyal supporters. It is a message of dignity in difficult circumstances, and it should not be dismissed. The lessons this squad is learning will shape Mohammedan SC's future.
Head-to-Head: A Record That Says It All
The current head-to-head record across all competitions stands at Punjab FC 5 wins, Mohammedan SC 0 wins, and 4 draws from their 9 meetings.
Not a single win for the Black Panthers in nine attempts. That is a psychological burden that Mohammedan SC will have to overcome even before the referee blows the first whistle. Punjab, knowing they have never lost to this opponent, will take to the pitch with a quiet confidence that is difficult to manufacture.
Key Players to Watch on Both Sides
For Punjab FC - Effiong Nsungusi (Striker)
The Nigerian forward has been Punjab's most dangerous attacker in the Super League phase. His brace against Bengaluru and his involvement in the Kerala win make him the man Mohammedan SC's defence will be most worried about. He leads with clever movement off the ball and has an excellent understanding with Spanish midfielder Dani Ramirez.
For Punjab FC - Samir Zeljkovic (Midfielder/Forward)
Zeljkovic scored the opening goal against Kerala Blasters in the 7th minute with a perfectly timed run into space between two defenders. His ability to exploit gaps in high-defensive lines could be decisive against a Mohammedan side that tends to sit deep.
Zeljkovic scored the opening goal against Kerala Blasters in the 7th minute with a perfectly timed run into space between two defenders. His ability to exploit gaps in high-defensive lines could be decisive against a Mohammedan side that tends to sit deep.
For Mohammedan SC - Amarjit Singh Kiyam (Midfielder)
The former India captain and one of the most technically gifted central midfielders in the ISL, Amarjit remains Mohammedan's most reliable creative force. In the previous Punjab vs Mohammedan fixture, Kiyam was among the most active players, regularly getting into shooting positions and winning corners for his side - even if the final result did not go their way. If anyone can spark something for the Black Panthers, it is him.
For Mohammedan SC - Carlos Franca (Forward)
The Brazilian forward is physically imposing and technically capable. In the reverse fixture, Franca was Mohammedan's biggest threat, firing multiple shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes - but Punjab's defence held firm every time. His conversion rate must improve drastically if Mohammedan are to trouble the Shers.
Punjab FC under Dilmperis are a well-organised pressing machine. They are compact out of possession, energetic in transition, and capable of suffocating opponents high up the pitch. Against a Mohammedan side low on confidence and high on individual errors, that press could yield early goals and completely derail the visitors.
Expect Punjab to set up in their trusted 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Nsungusi leading the line and the midfield trio working hard to win second balls. Dani Ramirez will be the key creative link. Defensively, Arshdeep Singh in goal - who has been reliable throughout the season - will back up a disciplined backline.
Mohammedan SC will likely set up to be compact and try to stay in the game for as long as possible. Wadoo knows his side cannot match Punjab for pressing intensity, so the away side may look to hit on the counter and hope Franca can hold the ball up and link play. It is a difficult strategy against a team playing at home with a full head of steam coming off a 3-1 win.
The Guru Nanak Stadium in Chandigarh is Punjab FC's home fortress in the Super League phase. Chandigarh's passionate football community has embraced the ISL with open arms, and the atmosphere under floodlights on a Friday evening can genuinely lift the home side. For a Mohammedan SC team low on morale, facing a vociferous home crowd is the last thing they need.
Two wins and a draw in their last four - form that puts Punjab FC firmly in mid-table with genuine aspirations of climbing higher.
The Brazilian forward is physically imposing and technically capable. In the reverse fixture, Franca was Mohammedan's biggest threat, firing multiple shots on goal throughout the 90 minutes - but Punjab's defence held firm every time. His conversion rate must improve drastically if Mohammedan are to trouble the Shers.
Tactical Breakdown: What to Expect
Punjab FC under Dilmperis are a well-organised pressing machine. They are compact out of possession, energetic in transition, and capable of suffocating opponents high up the pitch. Against a Mohammedan side low on confidence and high on individual errors, that press could yield early goals and completely derail the visitors.
Expect Punjab to set up in their trusted 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Nsungusi leading the line and the midfield trio working hard to win second balls. Dani Ramirez will be the key creative link. Defensively, Arshdeep Singh in goal - who has been reliable throughout the season - will back up a disciplined backline.
Mohammedan SC will likely set up to be compact and try to stay in the game for as long as possible. Wadoo knows his side cannot match Punjab for pressing intensity, so the away side may look to hit on the counter and hope Franca can hold the ball up and link play. It is a difficult strategy against a team playing at home with a full head of steam coming off a 3-1 win.
Venue: Guru Nanak Stadium, Chandigarh
The Guru Nanak Stadium in Chandigarh is Punjab FC's home fortress in the Super League phase. Chandigarh's passionate football community has embraced the ISL with open arms, and the atmosphere under floodlights on a Friday evening can genuinely lift the home side. For a Mohammedan SC team low on morale, facing a vociferous home crowd is the last thing they need.
Punjab FC's Recent Super League Form at a Glance
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC vs Punjab FC | Won 2-0 |
| Punjab FC vs NorthEast United FC | Drew 1-1 |
| Punjab FC vs Jamshedpur FC | Lost 0-1 |
| Kerala Blasters vs Punjab FC | Won 3-1 |
Two wins and a draw in their last four - form that puts Punjab FC firmly in mid-table with genuine aspirations of climbing higher.
Mohammedan SC's Recent Super League Form at a Glance
| Matchup | Result |
|---|---|
| Mohammedan SC vs. FC Goa | Loss |
| Mohammedan SC vs. Bengaluru FC | Loss |
| Mohammedan SC vs. NorthEast United | Loss |
| East Bengal vs. Mohammedan SC | Loss (7-0) |
Five losses from five games. Zero points. Forty-one goals conceded as a season average suggests their defensive shape has been a major problem all campaign.
Prediction: Punjab FC to Continue Dominance
All roads point to a Punjab FC win. They are at home. They are in form. They have never lost to Mohammedan SC. Their opponents just shipped seven goals in a derby and have yet to win a single Super League game this season.
The only wildcard is whether Punjab FC take their foot off the gas after an early goal, or whether Mohammedan SC can keep things tight enough in the first half to cause some doubt. But given Punjab's high press and the quality of their forward line, that scenario seems unlikely.
- Predicted Score: Punjab FC 3–0 Mohammedan SC
- Man of the Match Prediction: Effiong Nsungusi (Punjab FC)
How to Watch Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC Live
- TV: Star Sports 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam)
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar App & Website
- Kick-off: 7:30 PM IST, Friday 3 April 2026
- Venue: Guru Nanak Stadium, Chandigarh
FAQ
Q1. When is the Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC ISL 2025-26 Super League Round 7 match?
Friday, 3 April 2026 at 7:30 PM IST at Guru Nanak Stadium, Chandigarh.
Q2. Where can I watch Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC live?
Live streaming on JioHotstar. TV broadcast on Star Sports 3 in English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam.
Q3. What are Punjab FC's Super League standings?
Punjab FC are 7th in the ISL 2025-26 Super League standings with 8 points from 6 matches (2W, 2D, 2L), with a game in hand over most rivals.
Q4. What are Mohammedan SC's Super League standings?
Mohammedan SC are bottom of the table in 14th place with 0 points from 5 matches - losing all five games so far.
Q5. What is the H2H record between Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC?
Punjab FC lead the all-time H2H with 5 wins, 0 losses and 4 draws across their 9 meetings.
Q6. What was the score when these two teams last met in ISL 2025-26?
Punjab FC won 2-0 against Mohammedan SC in the reverse fixture, with Luka Majcen and Filip Mrzlijak scoring the goals.
Q7. Who is Punjab FC's head coach for ISL 2025-26?
Panagiotis Dilmperis is Punjab FC's head coach this season.
Q8. Who is Mohammedan SC's interim head coach?
Mehrajuddin Wadoo - a former India international - is serving as interim head coach for Mohammedan SC.
Q9. Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Effiong Nsungusi and Dani Ramirez for Punjab FC; Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Carlos Franca for Mohammedan SC.
Q10. What was Mohammedan SC's last result before this match?
A 7-0 loss to East Bengal FC in the Kolkata derby - one of the heaviest defeats of the ISL 2025-26 season.
Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC ISL Super League Round 7 April 2026 preview,ISL 2025-26 live streaming JioHotstar Star Sports Chandigarh match,Mohammedan SC winless Punjab FC H2H stats prediction Effiong Nsungusi
Live streaming on JioHotstar. TV broadcast on Star Sports 3 in English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam.
Q3. What are Punjab FC's Super League standings?
Punjab FC are 7th in the ISL 2025-26 Super League standings with 8 points from 6 matches (2W, 2D, 2L), with a game in hand over most rivals.
Q4. What are Mohammedan SC's Super League standings?
Mohammedan SC are bottom of the table in 14th place with 0 points from 5 matches - losing all five games so far.
Q5. What is the H2H record between Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC?
Punjab FC lead the all-time H2H with 5 wins, 0 losses and 4 draws across their 9 meetings.
Q6. What was the score when these two teams last met in ISL 2025-26?
Punjab FC won 2-0 against Mohammedan SC in the reverse fixture, with Luka Majcen and Filip Mrzlijak scoring the goals.
Q7. Who is Punjab FC's head coach for ISL 2025-26?
Panagiotis Dilmperis is Punjab FC's head coach this season.
Q8. Who is Mohammedan SC's interim head coach?
Mehrajuddin Wadoo - a former India international - is serving as interim head coach for Mohammedan SC.
Q9. Who are the key players to watch in this match?
Effiong Nsungusi and Dani Ramirez for Punjab FC; Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Carlos Franca for Mohammedan SC.
Q10. What was Mohammedan SC's last result before this match?
A 7-0 loss to East Bengal FC in the Kolkata derby - one of the heaviest defeats of the ISL 2025-26 season.
Punjab FC vs Mohammedan SC ISL Super League Round 7 April 2026 preview,ISL 2025-26 live streaming JioHotstar Star Sports Chandigarh match,Mohammedan SC winless Punjab FC H2H stats prediction Effiong Nsungusi
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