Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal FC are looking for their first win in this clash against each other and also to get back on track with both sides coming into this fixture losing their last game in the league.
The Marina Machans failed to make most of their chances in the 2-0 defeat to FC Goa whereas the Red and Gold suffered fifth straight loss to ATK Mohun Bagan in ISL.
EBFC vs CFC Match Details
Date: Friday, 4 November 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
EBFC vs CFC Match Preview
The wait for a first derby win in the ISL continued for East Bengal since they and ATK Mohun Bagan were introduced in the competition two years back. The 2-0 defeat in the first ISL Kolkata derby at Saltlake Stadium meant the Torch Bearers have now conceded 13 goals in these meeting and scored only twice with the other being an own goal by the opposition. Stephen Constantine’s men thought the first win of the season against NorthEast will give them a welcome boost for positive things to come around after starting the campaign with back-to-back losses. A point shared in the derby would have been enough to at least keep the momentum going but Hugo Boumous and Manvir Singh had other ideas as their goals inflicted East Bengal’s third loss in four games keeping them in the ninth spot. The Red and Gold offered very little going forward taking only eight shots compared to opposition’s 17, two on target, with their negative approach to games not doing them any favor. Their unforced errors have been a bad trend. If results do not improve in the coming months, the fear of finishing in the bottom standings of the ISL table will lurk again. Back at Saltlake Stadium for the next game against Chennaiyin FC, the only hope for the home side is that they have not lost a single battle in this meeting even though all of those have been draws. The Marina Machans opening day win over ATKMB, incidentally, should be an eye opener for East Bengal to not rest on laurels set in history rather than produce a decisive performance on the pitch. At the moment, they are still in the search for ways to do that. Performances in the Kolkata League have also exposed the team’s inability to win matches which is a major worry for a Stephen Constantine.
Chennaiyin’s unbeaten start to the season made an abrupt end with a 2-0 loss to FC Goa with an early goal from Redeem Tlang and a very late one from Noah Sadaoui. The defeat puts them out of the playoff spots on seventh just a point better off East Bengal having played one less game than them. The momentum from the excellent comeback win over ATK Mohun Bagan in their opening game followed by a 1-1 draw against Bengaluru FC seemed to be give the Marina Machans confidence to maintain the unbeaten record but once again facing a more composed side caused them lots of issues. Chennaiyin finishing was largely missing and the defense unable to mop up danger at the right time diminish their chances further. Indeed, it is too early to hit the panic button as it was only the first loss of the campaign with only three games in. They will fancy their state more than their opposition unable to recover their slump for three straight seasons. Yet, missing out on the playoffs again will soon grow discontentment for everybody involved with the Chennaiyin team and they cannot afford to do so again. After the game against East Bengal, Thomas Bradaric’s men face three of the sides resting above them in the table in this month so a victory is imminent. The Marina Machans have also not won or lost in this meeting which two goalless draws aside have produced two four-goals thriller. Chennaiyin could replicate their only victory this season in the ISL at this ground to be the first winning side in this fixture.
Recent Form
EB: LWLL
CFC: LDW
EBFC vs CFC Team News
East Bengal’s back-up goalkeeper Naveen Kumar sustained a knee injury in the training ruling him out of the season. The 33-year-old was on loan from FC Goa this season. In his place, Suvam Sen has been called up who have previously represented the Red and Gold Brigade in the last two ISL seasons. Forward Eliandro could be back in the squad after missing the last few games due to injury. Despite defeat in the derby, Stephen Constantine will stick to his regular eleven with few quality options available from the bench.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC have received a major boost in having captain Anirudh Thapa back in training after he picked up a minor muscle problem. However, Kwame Karikari is ruled out for this game with an injury. He is the only forward to have scored for the Marina Machans this season with his two goals coming in the first game against ATK Mohun Bagan at Saltlake Stadium. Goalkeeper Debjit Majumder will be able to face his old side after suspension in the last game due to the red card he received in the draw against Bengaluru FC.
EBFC vs CFC Predicted Lineups
EB: Kamaljit Singh (GK); Sarthak Golui, Lalchungnunga, Ivan Gonzalez, Jerry Lalrinzuala; VP Suhair, Jordan O’Doherty, Charalambos Kyriakou, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Cleiton Silva, Semboi Haokip
CFC: Devansh Dabas(GK); Ajith Kumar, Vafa Hakhamaneshi, Fallou Diagne, Narayan Da; Jiteshwor Singh, Julius Düker, Prasanth K, Anirudh Thapa; Rahim Ali, Petar Slišković
EBFC vs CFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Debjit (8)
DEF: A Kumar (8), Diagne (8.5), I Gonzalez (8), Kyriakou (8.5)
MID: Prasanth K (9), Thapa (9), O’Doherty (9), Duker (8.5)
FW: Slišković (8), C Silva (9)
Vice-captain: Prasanth K
Captain: Cleiton Silva
Prasanth K has one goal in three games so far and has been the preferred candidate for vice-captaincy with 25.53% selection rate.
Cleiton Silva has two goals in three ISL games for East Bengal. He has a goal and an assist in his last meeting against Chennaiyin FC in the league.
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
