Kochi/Guwahati, Saturday, May 9, 2026: Mohammedan SC will face Kerala Blasters in a do-or-die clash, knowing that only a victory will give them any chances of survival while the team above them, Chennaiyin FC will face 12th-placed NorthEast United in another crunch fixture of Indian Super League 2025-26 on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

In the early kick-off, Kerala Blasters FC will host Mohammedan SC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with kick-off scheduled for 17:00 IST and later in the evening, NorthEast United FC and Chennaiyin FC will face each other at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, with kick-off at 19:30 IST.

Mohammedan who currently have just three points from 10 matches will need to win all their remaining fixtures and expect Chennaiyin FC who are currently 13th in the standings with nine points to suffer defeats in both their fixtures including tomorrow. NorthEast United who are in 12th place with 10 points from 11 matches can also be dragged into the relegation race if results do not go their way around them.

Both matches will be streamed live on FanCode and telecast on Sony Sports TEN 2.

Kerala Blasters FC vs Mohammedan SC

Kerala Blasters FC will aim to build on their recent performances following a dramatic 2-1 victory against Odisha FC. Under the management of Ashley Westwood, the Yellow Army have shown signs of a steady resurgence, securing three victories, one draw, and suffering only one defeat in their last five matches.

Currently sitting ninth in the standings with 11 points from 11 matches, they are looking to finish their season as high as possible, after having a nightmare of a start to the season.

For the hosts, their fluid attacking movements will be spearheaded by centre-forward Víctor Bertomeu, fresh off his Player of the Match performance, who leads the line with three goals. He will be ably supported by attacking midfielder Franchu (one goal, one assist) and the creative vision of midfielder Ebindas Yesudasan, who boasts an impressive five assists.

Head coach Ashley Westwood underscored the fixture’s significance, dismissing claims that their opponents are the weakest side in the league while urging his players to express themselves.

"I came in with a clear plan and structure to give the players confidence, reassuring them there was no chance this club would get relegated. The idea is to play with freedom, bring an intense attacking style, and just enjoy our football," he said. "Mohammedan SC are not the weakest side; they haven't lost in three games. They have dangerous players and are quick in transitions. I've told our players that if they're not 100 per cent on their game, they'll lose. It's certainly not an easy game, and we need to put on a performance to be proud of."

Defender Aiban Dohling expressed his motivation ahead of the contest. "Our target now is to finish the season strong," he noted. "We want to finish as high as possible in the table so that it's good for the club, the coach, the players, and everyone for next season."

Mohammedan SC, meanwhile, travel to Kochi following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Sporting Club Delhi, where they twice came from behind courtesy of goals from Thokchom Adison Singh and a towering header from Hira Mondal.

They have struggled significantly to establish a coherent tactical identity this season, picking up their third consecutive point but maintaining an overall record of zero wins, three draws, and seven defeats, including three draws, and two losses in their last five outings.

The Black & White Brigade will need to overcome severe defensive frailties, having conceded a staggering 23 goals while scoring only six, and rely on their resilience on the counter-attack.

The visitors will look to attacker Thokchom Adison Singh and the creative spark of midfielder Lalngaihsaka (two assists) to unlock the hosts, while Hira Mondal poses a dual threat with one goal and two assists to his name.

The left-back, both fresh off scoring crucial goals, alongside the creative distribution of Makan Chothe and Lalngaihsaka will be the main threats for the opposition. Defensively, they will rely heavily on goalkeeper Padam Chettri, who made vital saves under pressure in their last outing. They must harness these individual strengths to secure a result, especially given their dismal record of three draws and five defeats on the road.

Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo highlighted the team's improved performances and the absolute necessity of converting chances to survive.

"We have to win anyhow if we want to stay in the league. We are going into the match against Kerala with focus, determination, and the desire to get three points," he said. "There are a lot of positives we can take from the last three games. The players gave their all, but unfortunately, we missed our chances. Our focus now is that when we create chances, we absolutely have to convert them."

Midfielder Lalgaihsaka reinforced the squad's motivation heading into the business end of the season. "Regarding the situation, we need to stay focused and move forward," he added. "We cannot think about the negatives. We need to focus on the positives. The dressing room atmosphere and motivation are all good."

In the two previous meetings, the Yellow Army have emerged victorious on both occasions without conceding a single goal. Their most recent clash ended with a comfortable 3-0 home victory for Kerala Blasters.

NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC

In the evening fixture, NorthEast United FC return to their home turf aiming to build on the momentum from a pulsating 3-2 victory against Inter Kashi. In a thrilling contest, Parthib Gogoi's 90th-minute strike sealed all three points following earlier goals from Jithin MS and an Andy Rodríguez penalty.

Having accumulated a goal tally of 10 scored and 20 conceded, and with a concerning home record of just two wins alongside four defeats in six matches at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, claiming maximum points would take them to 13 points, yielding vital momentum in their bid to secure their top-flight survival.

Despite experiencing a tumultuous season thus far, managing only one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five matches, the Highlanders under head coach Juan Pedro Benali have displayed a mix of resilience and inconsistency. The Highlanders will look for the attacking brilliance of Jairo Samperio, who delivered a Man of the Match performance with two crucial assists in their last game.

He will be vital in supplying goalscorers Jithin MS, central midfielder Andy Rodríguez, who has netted three goals this season, alongside the dynamic centre-forward Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia (two goals, two assists) and the dynamic right winger Parthib Gogoi (two assists) to unlock the Chennaiyin defence.

Head coach Juan Pedro Benali reflected on the positive dressing room mood following their recent victory and the tactical challenge posed by the visitors.

"When you win, you can work easily; it's more positive, and we hope to keep that mentality until the end. Our motivation is just the next game," he said. "Chennaiyin is a good team with very good players who have been unlucky in many games. We hope they keep being unlucky against us. We need to push forward, stay mentally strong, and take advantage of our strengths."

Defender Dinesh Singh opened up about learning from past errors and maintaining focus, "Our coach always motivates us a lot in defence," he noted. "Everyone makes mistakes, but we try not to make them again. We are always positive."

Chennaiyin FC travel to Guwahati hoping to arrest a challenging run of form following a frustrating 1-0 loss away to Punjab FC. Despite a solid defensive display the Marina Machans were undone by an unfortunate 84th-minute own goal from Lalrinliana Hnamte.

As a team in search of form, they find themselves in a difficult position, struggling to find consistency with only one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five outings. Despite a tactical commitment to attacking football, they have frequently faltered in converting chances into goals.

Occupying 13th place with 9 points from 11 matches (2W, 3D, 6L), Chennaiyin FC will view this fixture as a prime opportunity to consolidate their status in the standings and pull away from the relegation battle. With a goal tally of seven scored and 15 conceded, a win would elevate them to 12 points, accelerating their push into the safe zone.

The visitors will look to centre-forward Irfan Yadwad (two goals) and left winger Farukh Choudhary (one goal) to provide the cutting edge up front. After missing golden opportunities in their last match, they will also hope for centre-forward Daniel Chima Chukwu to score.

They will need to rally together to overcome their struggles on the road, having managed only one win and suffered four defeats in six away matches, to break their cycle of defeat.

Head coach Clifford Miranda underscored the team's ambitions, acknowledging their attacking struggles while highlighting the threat posed by the home side.

"It's the nature of this league. When you don't take your chances, you get punished. We have created 50 good, clear chances, but scored only seven. You can only do so much in training; the final touch has to come from the player in the game," he explained. "NorthEast United like to keep the ball on the floor and have a multi-dimensional way of playing. They have some really good players, like Jithin MS, who is one of the best in the division with his acceleration."

Defender PC Laldinpuia echoed the need for execution and continuity, "As the coach said, we must win this game because we only have two matches left. Three points can change our position in the table," he added. "Everyone is giving their best in training, and with the right mentality, I think we can get the three points."

Matches between these two sides are traditionally hard-fought affairs. Although Chennaiyin FC have claimed three wins from their last five meetings compared to NorthEast United's two, the Highlanders boast the psychological advantage after routing the Marina Machans 3-0 in their most recent clash.

Given contrasting recent forms, the teams' desperate need for points, and recent scoring records, Sunday promises to be a defining day in the broader relegation battle of ISL. Mohammedan SC face do-or-die battle to ignite their survival campaigns and escape the relegation zone while Chennaiyin and NorthEast United will hope to be not dragged into the relegation scrap.