The Kalinga Super Cup is just hours away, as teams begin their quest to secure a spot in a continental tournament, kicking off in Bhubaneswar today.

The format leaves no room for recovery — teams must be sharp from the first whistle or risk an early exit and the loss of a chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2 Preliminary Round.

Cracking duels and intense rivalries are on the cards, as the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 is all set to take centre stage in its fifth edition. Without further ado, let’s look at the key Round of 16 fixtures to watch out for in this high-stakes knockout competition.

Kerala Blasters FC vs East Bengal FC

Kerala Blasters FC will go head-to-head with defending Kalinga Super Cup champions East Bengal FC, as the Round of 16 kicks off on April 20.

Both previous encounters between these two passionate sides ended in 2–1 scorelines — once in favour of the Blasters and once for the Red and Gold Brigade. Kerala Blasters FC pulled off a comeback win in Kochi, courtesy of second-half goals from Noah Sadaoui and Kwame Peprah. In the return leg in Kolkata, PV Vishnu and Hijazi Maher were on target as East Bengal FC claimed victory.

Odisha FC vs Punjab FC

Former Super Cup champions Odisha FC and Punjab FC are set to lock horns in the fourth Round of 16 fixture on April 21. With both sides missing out on the ISL Playoffs, they'll be eager to wrap up their season on a high.

Punjab FC remain unbeaten against Odisha FC this season, including a win on home turf. The Shers began their ISL campaign with a flying start, but a patchy run of form in the final stretch saw them narrowly miss out on a playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Kalinga Warriors also failed to break into the top six, marking the first time a team managed by Sergio Lobera has not qualified for the playoffs.

Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC

This fixture is set to be a cracker as Mumbai City FC take on Chennaiyin FC on April 23.

Over the years, these teams have developed a heated rivalry, often producing high-scoring encounters. The Islanders remain unbeaten against the Marina Machans this season, including a narrow victory at home in the Mumbai Football Arena.

Owen Coyle’s side, who pulled off last-gasp heroics to secure a playoff spot last season, have been unable to replicate that form this time around. Meanwhile, Petr Kratky’s men were eliminated from the ISL knockout stage following a heavy defeat to Bengaluru FC. Both teams will be eager to make a statement in the final chapter of the 2024-25 season.

The Islanders secured a narrow 1-0 win over the Marina Machans in their final group stage game of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024, advancing into the knockout stage.

Jamshedpur FC vs Hyderabad FC

A clash between two Indian coaches awaits as Jamshedpur FC's Khalid Jamil and Hyderabad FC's Shameel Chembakath go head-to-head, with both aiming to reach the quarterfinals.

In their two meetings this season, Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC each secured a victory on home soil. The Men of Steel, who narrowly missed out on a spot in the ISL Cup final, delivered a resilient performance throughout the season, earning them a playoff berth for the first time in three seasons. In contrast, Hyderabad FC, who often rely on their Indian core, produced some stunning performances in patches but struggled with consistency throughout the ISL season.

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2024-2025