East Bengal welcomes Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in a direct battle for the top-six spot.
EBG vs BEN Match Details
Date: Sunday, 7 March 2024
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
EBG vs BEN Match Preview
Heading to Kochi, East Bengal knew they had to take all three points against Kerala Blasters to stay in the race for the playoffs. The Tuskers had already qualified for the top six so they played without pressure and took the lead through Fedor Cernynch in the 23rd minute. However, the game completely turned towards the Red and Gold’s favour once Jeakson Singh was dismissed before half-time due to a second yellow. Saul Crespo equalised from the spot in first-half stoppage time before he and Mahesh picked up a crucial 4-2 victory, after three straight losses, with a brace in the last 20 minutes. Blasters were down to nine by then with Naocha Singh sent off and Hijazi Maher’s own goal in between did not ruffle a feather. The Torch Bearers have to win their remaining matches now to grab the all-important sixth spot although faith is not in their hands. They will wish for a win over playoff contender Bengaluru FC back at home to strengthen their position further. Anything other than three points could prove costly for the side.
Bengaluru FC failed to retake their place in the top six after playing out a goalless draw against Odisha FC but remain in the playoff battle. However, dropping any further points in the final two games will make the situation complex for them. Chennaiyin FC holds the all-important sixth spot at the moment with a two-point lead while Punjab FC and NorthEast United, having played a game less, are also in contention. The maximum Gerard Zaragoza’s side can reach is 27 points and they will want the rest not to elapse or for Chennaiyin FC and Punjab FC not to match the tally. The Blues will face East Bengal in their last away league game of the season in the hope of a victory which will set them well for the final league game with the other giant of Kolkata in ISL in Mohun Bagan Super Giant. The challenge will be stiff though facing a side that has built momentum at the right time.
Recent Form
EBG: WLLLW
BEN: LWWLD
EBG vs BEN Predicted Lineups
East Bengal FC
Prabhsukha Gill; Mohammad Rakip, Harmanjot Khabra, Hijazi Maher, Nishu Kumar; Souvick Chakraborty, Saul Crespo; PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva, Victor Vazquez; Mahesh Singh
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh; Nikhil Poojary, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Chinglensana Singh, Roshan Singh; Keziah Veendrop, Lalremtluanga Fanai; Sivasakhti Narayanan, Javi Hernandez, Ryan Williams; Sunil Chhetri
EBG vs BEN Head-to-Head (ISL)
Played - 7
EBG won - 2
Drawn - 1
BEN won - 4
EBG vs BEN Dream11 Match Prediction
East Bengal could have the edge over Bengaluru FC at home having regained their form. We predict a 2-0 win for the Red and Golds.
EBG vs BEN Dream11 Top picks
Captain Pick: Cleiton Silva
Vice-captain Pick: Saul Crespo
Our top picks for EBG vs BEN Dream11 are Cleiton Silva and Saul Crespo, who combined for five goals in the last two ISL games.
EBG vs BEN Dream11 Team Suggestion
GK: Gurpreet (Cr - 9, Pts - 572)
DEF: Nishu (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 333), Maher (Cr - 8, Pts - 348), Roshan (Cr - 8.5, Pts - 464)
MID: Javi (Cr - 9, Pts - 619), Crespo (Cr - 9, Pts - 449), Maesh (Cr - 7.5, Pts - 636), Williams (Cr - 8, Pts - 390)
FW: Sivasakhtki (Cr - 8, Pts - 236), Chhetri (Cr - 9, Pts - 478), C Silva (Cr - 9, Pts - 744)
Vice-captain: Saul Crespo
Captain: Cleiton Silva
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