Kolkata, December 11: East Bengal FC and Odisha FC are locking horns at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 12, at 7:30 pm IST, with the home side riding the momentum of their on-going three-game unbeaten run in the competition, which comprises of two victories on the bounce.
Interestingly, the last loss that the Red & Gold Brigade faced in the ISL was against the Juggernauts, i.e. by 2-1 in October. The Juggernauts have secured two wins and as many draws in their previous five encounters. They are placed fifth in the points table with 16 points from 11 matches, from four wins and 4 draws.
East Bengal FC have been on the rise, securing seven points from nine matches and considering their recent forms, both sides will not want to let loose of this momentum. The season is at such a stage at this point that every positive result has an impact going forward in the campaign, placing further importance in this fixture.
East Bengal FC eye their outright longest winning streak
· Run of Wins: East Bengal FC have an unprecedented chance to notch three consecutive victories in the ISL by securing the maximum points in this encounter. Their present sequence of three unbeaten clashes was preceded by eight winless matches, where they had faced defeats in seven of those games. Head coach Oscar Bruzon will want to sustain this form moving forward.
· Defensive Discipline: Moreover, the team has been organising and conducting themselves diligently at the back. They have kept clean sheets in each of their last two home games. The last and only time they registered a longer such streak was a stretch of three games in December 2023, which included a goalless draw against Odisha FC (22 December 2023). Can they halt the Odisha FC frontline that has netted 23 goals this season?
Outstanding Odisha FC offence
· Goal Frequency: The Juggernauts have found the back of the net in every 43 minutes in ISL 2024-25, which is the fastest by any team in this season. Their 23 strikes thus far is the most that they have managed after 11 games in any season. Diego Mauricio and Mourtada Fall lead the charts for them by netting seven and four times respectively. East Bengal FC’s recently developed defensive strength will be put to test in this encounter.
· Backline in Order? After a six-match-long run of conceding strikes in each of their away matches, Odisha FC snapped this stretch by their 6-0 victory in their last game on the road, which was against Hyderabad FC. The last and only time they went on a longer such run was a three-game stretch between December 2023 and February 2024, which started with a goalless draw against East Bengal FC (December 22, 2023).
Head-to-Head
In their nine matches so far, Odisha FC have emerged victorious seven times, whereas East Bengal FC have won only once. An average of 4.89 goals has been scored in this fixture, whereas the Juggernauts had won the reverse game this season by 2-1 in Bhubaneswar.
Coaches Corner
“The players are positive”
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon acknowledged his team’s admirable run of form, but maintained that they still have a long way to go to realise their ambitions for the season.
“The players are positive. We are not conceding too many chances. We are a team that is on a good run of results. But, we are still far off from where we want to be in the league table,” Bruzon said.
“EBFC are very competitive”
Odisha FC head coach Sergio Lobera, too, appreciated East Bengal FC for making some key improvements in the last few matches.
“East Bengal FC are a very competitive team. They’re working well, improving not just footballing wise but also in terms of their mental motivation. It will be a very difficult game,” Lobera said.
Key Players & Milestones
· East Bengal FC’s Cleiton Silva’s expected goals (xG) value of 1.39 is the second-highest amongst any player in ISL 2024-25 (after Franca – 2.77) who is yet to find the back of the net. Silva’s form off late has been concerning for the Red & Gold Brigade though, as he has been without a goal in his last 10 ISL matches, including each of his previous three against Odisha FC.
· Odisha FC’s Amrinder Singh made a stunning eight saves in their latest match against Mumbai City FC. He has already recorded 40+ saves in ISL 2024-25, which is his eighth season in the competition registering 40+ saves, the most often by any goalkeeper and two more than the next best (Gurpreet Singh Sandhu – 6 times). Amrinder brings a sense of stability and assurance between the posts that helps Odisha FC keep the opposition’s offences at bay.
· East Bengal FC’s Naorem Mahesh Singh (9 assists) is one away from becoming the 12th Indian player to register 10 assists in the ISL, and the first one to do so for East Bengal FC. However, Mahesh has never set up a goal against Odisha FC – a record he will want to set straight come Thursday.
ISL Fantasy
Anwar Ali (5.5cr)
The defender has bagged the highest ISL fantasy points (41) for East Bengal FC in ISL 2024-25
Mourtada Fall (6cr)
The Odisha FC defender has earned the most ISL fantasy points (76) for his team this season
Indian Super League is being streamed live free on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 — 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally Sports 18 — 1, Sports 18 — 2; with Sports 18 — Khel and Star Sports 3 also telecasting select ISL matches LIVE
