ISL 2023-24: Bengaluru FC meet former foes East Bengal

Bengaluru FC will aim to turn the tables in this ISL clash.

Bengaluru FC will face East Bengal in their next Indian Super League 2023-24 clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on 4 October 2023. Both clubs enter the upcoming fixture with contrasting results in their previous outings in the league.

As hosts, Bengaluru FC must deliver a positive result due to their poor start to the season. East Bengal will be on the road for the first time this season and will hope to find some consistency as the season progresses. One can expect the upcoming game to be exciting and one that will provide a window into how the season might unfold for either team.

Here is what to watch out for from the upcoming ISL fixture between BFC and EBFC on Wednesday:

Stakes

Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC must win the upcoming game after losing their first two games of the season. Failure to secure three points will add pressure on the side and push them into a situation where they have to play catch up to the rest of the teams in the ISL. Last year’s runners-up had high expectations to live up to and must start putting points on the board before it is too late.

East Bengal

East Bengal will hope to continue their undefeated streak after drawing one and winning the other from their first two matches of the ISL 2023-24 season. Carles Cuadrat’s men will be high in spirits after a narrow 2-1 win over Hyderabad FC in their previous game, thanks to a thunderous strike by Cleiton Silva. Three points will take them top of the standings for the time being.

Injury & Team News

Bengaluru FC will welcome back skipper Sunil Chhetri and Rohit Danu. However, their presence in the starting line-up is still in doubts. For East Bengal, Hijazi Maher had been registered before the Hyderabad FC game and unveiled last Saturday. It is to be seen if he gets a start. Also, Javier Siverio and two other Indian players are suffering from Conjunctivitis, but they are expected to be on the bench.

Head-to-head

Total Matches Played - 6

Bengaluru FC wins - 2

East Bengal wins - 3

Draws - 1

Predicted Line-ups

Bengaluru FC (4-2-1-3):

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK),Parag Shrivas, Slavko Damjanovic, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Jessel Carneiro, Javi Hernandez, Rohit Kumar, Sunil Chhetri, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Curtis Main, Namgyal Bhutia.

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Harmanjot Khabra, Jose Pardo, Mandar Rao Dessai, Saul Crespo, Souvik Chakrabarti, Borja Herrera, Nandhakumar Sekar, Cleiton Silva, Naorem Mahesh Singh.

Players to Watch

Javi Hernandez (Bengaluru FC)

Javi Hernandez is crucial to Bengaluru FC’s attacking capabilities. The attacking midfielder is the main creative outlet who is at the centre of BFC’s attacking moves. Simon Grayson relies on the Spaniard in set-piece situations and for ball distribution in the final third. The Blues will be hoping that Hernandez has a good game against the Red & Gold Brigade. 

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)

Cleiton Silva proved his critics wrong with a fabulous performance against Hyderabad FC. The striker scored a sensational brace to give his side three points. His free-kick goal in particular in the dying minutes made the stadium erupt in joyous emotion. He will be extremely vital to EBFC’s cause against the Blues and the hosts will be looking to limit his influence on the game.

Did You Know?

• Many East Bengal players have played previously for Bengaluru FC.
• Curtis Main has experience playing for clubs like Middlesbrough and Oldham Athletic among others in England.
• Carles Cuadrat won the ISL with Bengaluru FC.

Telecast

The Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal game will be played at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on 4 October. Live streaming and broadcast of the game will be available on the JioCinema app and Sports 18 1/VH1 channel. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM.