East Bengal are still searching for their first win of the season at home as they face high flying Mumbai City FC at the Saltlake Stadium.
The Red and Gold suffered their sixth defeat in the campaign going down 2-0 against Hyderabad FC while Mumbai City FC outscored FC Goa 4-1.
EBFC vs MCFC Match Details
Date: Friday, 16 December 2022
Time: 19:30 (IST)
Venue: Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata
EBFC vs MCFC Match Preview
Consistency is the term that is unassociated with East Bengal this season as Stephan Constantine’s side struggles to build proper momentum in their play. Losing 2-0 to Hyderabad FC showed the team is failing to turn up against sides placed above them on the table. This will be one of the detrimental factors the Red and Gold have to improve upon before facing an unbeaten Mumbai City FC this weekend. Although the loss against Nizams was the first one registered in away matches, the form at the Saltlake Stadium is worrying for the side. In the four home games played so far including the Kolkata Derby, East Bengal have not even registered a single point to their name. They scored merely three goals and at the same time conceded nine. In total, the Kolkata-based side have registered three wins and lost in six of nine games. Without an established run of games, East Bengal will find it difficult to turn their home form around against Mumbai City FC whom they have no won against in ISL. The one source of inspiration could be their 4-3 thrilling victory against the Islanders in the Durand Cup prior to the season in the Saltlake Stadium itself. Despite the competition carrying a lot of history in Indian football, it was taken more as a preparation for the league campaign recently rather than a serious one to compete for. That said, Mumbai City still reached the final of the tournament while East Bengal’s journey ended in the group stages. A win will be of utmost importance in this clash as it will put them closer to the playoff spots.
The Islanders will wish their journey to Kolkata to face the Torch Bearers makes a happy return this time. Des Buckingham’s men are shining in their unbeaten form and carrying a four-game winning streak which gives them a lot of confidence ahead of the clash. In that period, Mumbai City FC have scored a jaw-dropping number of 17 goals and let in only four. There is no indication of stopping as they keep the pressure on Hyderabad FC on top of the chart. Since the 3-3 draw against the Nizams in the first match of the 2022/23 ISL season, the Islanders have also won every point in the following away games. They are wishing to close down their excellent first half of the season with a win and secure the top berth as a process with holders Hyderabad FC not playing till next week. Against East Bengal, Mumbai City FC are optimistic looking at the four overall meetings in the ISL. The Islanders are yet to concede a goal from the Red and Golds with them scoring five in this encounter. However, they have not managed more than one in the last three. Mumbai City FC have scored an average of four goals in each of their last four games itself so another huge win is expected. All of the forwards are in scoring form with Jorge Pereyra Diaz being the top scorer with six while Greg Stewart tops the provider list for the team with equal number of assists. Indian winger duo, Bipin Singh and Lallianzuala Chhangte has chipped in with four goals each. This will be an uphill task for the host to stop this side from scoring let alone winning.
Recent Form
EB: LWLWL
MCFC: WWWWD
EBFC vs MCFC Team News
East Bengal have a number of calls to make on their player’s availability before the clash against Mumbai City FC. Jordan O’Doherty has a 50-50 chance to gain a start in the match while Charalambos Kyriakou is also a doubt to make it to the opening eleven. Souvik Chakraborty is still working on his fitness after suffering from dengue but could make the bench.
For Mumbai City FC, Amey Ranawade is ruled out of the season with a knee injury. The rest of the squad is available for coach Des Buckingham to choose from.
EBFC vs MCFC Predicted Lineups
EB: Kamaljit Singh; Ankit Mukherjee, Lalchungnunga, Ivan Gonzalez, Jerry Lalrinzuala; VP Suhair, Alex Lima, Charalambos Kyriakou, Naorem Mahesh Singh; Semboi Haokip, Cleiton Silva
MCFC: Phurba Lachenpa; Rahul Bheke, Rostyn Griffiths, Mehtab Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Greg Stewart, Ahmed Jahouh, Apuia; Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Bipin Singh
EBFC vs MCFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Lachenpa (7.5)
DEF: I Gonzalez (8), M Singh (8), Griffiths (8.5), Kyriakou (8.5)
MID: Mahesh (9), Jahouh (9), Bipin (9)
FW: Stewart (9), Diaz (8), C Silva (9)
Vice-captain: Jorge Pereyra Diaz
Captain: Greg Stewart
Stay tuned to Fantasy Football for upcoming matches.
