Kolkata, March 1: Bengaluru FC will face East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK)in Kolkata in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on March 2, at 7:30 pm IST.
The Blues have qualified for the playoffs, whereas East Bengal FC are eighth in the table with 27 points from 22 games. They are five points behind the sixth-placed Mumbai City FC (32) who have featured in 21 encounters. To simplify the equation, the Oscar Bruzon-coached team will target getting six points from remaining two games to improve their probability of finishing in the top-six.
East Bengal FC have shown promising form as they are on a three-match winning streak currently, the first time that they have done so in ISL history, and they will have to stretch that to five games so that they could stand a chance of making it to the next stage of the competition.
East Bengal FC are one of the four active ISL teams that Bengaluru FC have not done a league double over and this is their opportunity to scale that feat following their 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
East Bengal FC’s Winning Momentum
• Winning Streak: East Bengal FC have made changes in their starting line-up in 21 games this season, which is the joint-most in the league (tied with Chennaiyin FC). Should Bruzon lock in on a consistent XI as they chase back-to-back positive results now?
• Defensive Record: The Red and Gold Brigade registered their fourth home clean sheet in their most recent match against Hyderabad FC (2-0), boosting their season tally to six.
They have only fared better than this once before in 2023-24 (seven clean sheets).
Bengaluru FC’s Current Form
• Clean Sheet Feat: Bengaluru FC have emerged victorious in their last three ISL matches while keeping a clean sheet. If they secure another shutout victory, it will be their longest such streak in competition history.
• Domestic Contributions: Bengaluru FC’s Indian players have scored 17 goals this season, making them joint-leaders here (tied with FC Goa). Only Mumbai City FC (27 in 2022-23 and 26 in 2023-24), Bengaluru FC (20 in 2018-19), and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (19 in 2021-22) have managed more goals by domestic players in a single ISL season.
Head-to-Head
East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC have won four games each in their nine face-offs so far in the ISL. Only one match has produced a draw.
Coaches Corner
“We are not going to stop fighting until our last breath”
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon assured that his team will keep battling for a spot in the top-six right until the end.
“If you ask me, no doubt, we want to make it but it depends on other results. We are not going to stop fighting until our last breath,” he said.
“We are focused on finishing as high as possible”
Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza outlined his team’s ambitions for the remaining matches.
“We are focused on finishing as high as possible. Our target right now is to win the next two games,” he said.
Key Players & Milestones
• Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri has four goal contributions (3 goals and 1 assist) in this fixture, second only to Cleiton Silva (5). He has netted 11 times and assisted twice this season.
• With four goals and three assists this season, East Bengal FC’s Vishnu Puthiya has had a productive campaign, in addition to making 34 successful dribbles and 60 recoveries too.
• Bengaluru FC’s Alberto Noguera has made eight goal contributions this season (5 goals and 3 assists), matching his best-ever tally in an ISL campaign (2020-21). He has five goal involvements (3 goals and 2 assists) against East Bengal FC, only doing so more against Jamshedpur FC (6).
ISL Fantasy
Anwar Ali (5.3cr)
The East Bengal FC defender has won 81 ISL fantasy points this season, the highest in his team
Alberto Noguera (9.2cr)
The Bengaluru FC star has earned the second-most ISL fantasy points (119) in his team this season
