EBFC vs HFC Match Details
Date: Saturday, 30 September 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Guwahati
EBFC vs HFC Match Preview
East Bengal failed to convert their chances against Jamshedpur FC in the ISL opener to end the match in a 0-0 stalemate. They will be frustrated about the result despite having more possession of the ball and taking three shots on target compared to just one from the Men of Steel. The Red and Golds would have wanted to begin the ISL season, where they want to be better this time, with a victory but their former goalkeeper TP Rehenesh’s sprawling saves denied them all three points. Carles Cuadrat’s men will attempt to shake off the result and return to winning, staying at home for the second game against Hyderabad FC. A side they have never beaten in the league and lost 2-0 in the last meeting at Salt Lake. Javier Siverio scored the opener in that win assisted by Borja Herrera. Both have since left the Nizams in the summer window to join the Kolkata giants and will hope to do the same for their new club against the former. East Bengal received a boost in their defence finally getting their Jordan Elsey replacement in Jordanian centre-back Hijazi Maher to calm their worries. Maher will not be available for the game but his news might give spirit to the side to get the desired result on Saturday.
Hyderabad FC could have played their first game by now and tested their new squad but had to wait a little longer than the others to begin the new ISL season. Their game against FC Goa last week was postponed due to key players from both sides being unavailable for national duties at the Asian Games. The Nizams have gone on a transformation in the summer losing some of their stars behind the league trophy success last year. Head coach Manolo Marquez has also left his role at the club to sign for the Gaurs whom they would have fought the season opener. Hyderabad FC’s task will be to maintain the heights of the last couple of seasons forming a unit with the new faces signed in the summer transfer window. Thangboi Singto will take charge of the team until Connor Nestor fulfils his pro coaching license and will be wishing for a positive start. Looking at the track record, Hyderabad FC could collect a win against East Bengal but are aware of the changes the home side have made to bolster their chances in the 2023/24 ISL season.
EBFC vs HFC Predicted Lineups
EBFC: Prabhsukhan Gill; Nishu Kumar, Harmanjot Khabra, Jose Pardo, Mandar Rao; Saul Crespo, Souvik Chakrabarti; Nandha Kumar, Borja Herrera, Mahesh Singh; Cleiton Silva
HFC: Laxmikant Kattimani; Nikhil Poojary, Nim Dorjee, Oswaldo Alanis, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy; Felipe Amorin, Joao Victor, Sahil Tavora; Mohammed Yasir, Joe Knowles, Makan Chote
EBFC vs HFC Head to Head (ISL)
Played - 6
EBFC won - 0
Draw - 2
HFC won - 4
EBFC vs HFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Gill (7.5)
DEF: Poojary (8), Pardo (7), Vignesh (7.5)
MID: Victor (8.5), Herrera (8.5), Crespo (8), Knowles (8)
FW: Amorin (9), Silva (9), Nadha Kumar (8.5)
Vice-captain: Cleiton Silva
Captain: Borja Herrera
