East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Practice during the ISL Derby Match at Salt Lake Stadium. Pictures by Bibhash Lodh, BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata: Few fixtures in Indian football carry the emotional weight, history and intensity of the Kolkata Derby. On Sunday, May 17, that rivalry could produce one of its defining modern chapters when arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC face off in a potentially title-deciding clash in Indian Super League 2025-26 at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.
Season is head-to-head record. The equation is therefore straightforward. Whoever wins the derby will take a massive step towards the title.
An East Bengal victory would move them to 25 points, leaving Mohun Bagan on 22 with only one match remaining. Even if the Mariners then win their final fixture and draw level on points, East Bengal would hold the superior head-to-head record and remain favourites to clinch the title, provided no other contender overtakes them. Similarly, Mohun Bagan will also have the same situation as their rivals.