ISL 2023-24: East Bengal vs Odisha FC | Preview, Predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

East Bengal have defeated Odisha FC only once in the ISL.

East Bengal will hope to get some motivation from their recent gutsy draw against Mumbai City in the Indian Super League (ISL) and put in a similar performance to outwit Odisha FC in their final game of 2023 on Friday, 22 December at the Salt Lake Stadium.

A win for the Red & Gold Brigade could not only get them into the top-six of the league table, but also prove their ability to beat the stronger ISL teams. Odisha FC on the other hand, will be determined to maintain their impressive recent run of form and get another big win at the Salt Lake Stadium.

The Stakes

East Bengal

Carles Cuadrat has guided East Bengal to their best first half of an ISL season since they joined the competition a few years ago. The Red & Gold Brigade have proven that they can go toe-to-toe with major sides in recent games, but there is a need to turn their draws into more wins.

They will push to take the fight to Odisha FC and maintain their impressive defensive record, having kept three clean-sheets in as many games. However, East Bengal have to be more prolific in taking their chances in order to get a positive result. A loss can dampen the promising momentum they’ve recently picked up and mark a bitter end to 2023.

Odisha FC

The Juggernauts have started to soar under Sergio Lobera, winning their AFC Cup group and also being involved in the ISL league title stages. However, Odisha FC are well aware that too many dropped points can cause them to drift far away from the title race itself – with the likes of FC Goa, Mumbai City and Mohun Bagan showing no signs of slowing down.

Another win in Kolkata for Odisha FC an help them cap off an impressive 2023 in fitting fashion and stay alive in the league title race. But a loss to East Bengal can end their eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions and ruin all the momentum they’ve picked up in recent months.

Injury & Team News

East Bengal are still going to be without defender Harmanjot Khabra for a bit more time after he sustained an injury recently. Odisha FC have a fit roster to choose from.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 6

East Bengal wins – 1

Odisha FC wins – 5

Draws  – 0

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-3-3)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Nishu Kumar, Lalchungnunga, Hijazi Maher, Mandar Rao Dessai, Saul Crespo, Souvik Chakrabarti, Borja Herrera, Naorem Mahesh Singh, PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva

Odisha FC (4-3-3)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Narender Gahlot, Mourtada Fall, Carlos Delgado, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, Puitea, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Isak Vanlalruetfela, Roy Krishna

Player to Watch

Borja Herrera (East Bengal)

The game against Odisha FC can be a cagey one for East Bengal, where they’ll need to rely on individual brilliance to oust the Juggernauts’ backline. The midfield battle will be particularly interesting and one where Borja Herrera can be decisive in getting a positive result for his side.

Herrera might only have one goal in eight appearances so far, but the 30-year-old is capable of producing unpredictable moments of brilliance. Herrera will need to be at his sharpest to outwit the Odisha midfielders and be innovative with his passes to create chances. He might also look to test out his emphatic shooting ability against a steady Amrinder Singh!

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC)

Lobera appears to be bringing the very best out of Roy Krishna after his topsy-turvy spell at Bengaluru FC last season. The Fiji forward has four goals in the ISL so far this season and is making a ploy for the Golden Boot award. The special thing about Krishna is his versatility and adaptability to situations.

He is not only a lethal finisher in the box, but can also wander away from his assigned position to drag defenders out of their comfort zone. He can create chances and space for his teammates as well, which he’ll look to do to unsettle the East Bengal backline. Krishna needs to maintain his prolific goal-scoring tempo and finish off chances clinically to outwit this in-form East Bengal side.

Did you know?

• East Bengal are on a four-match unbeaten run in the ISL, having last lost in early November to Kerala Blasters.
• Ahmed Jahouh has been the most efficient passer in the ISL this season, averaging 60 accurate passes per game.
• PV Vishnu has made the most successful dribbles per 90 minutes for any player in the ISL, averaging 3.9 dribbles per 90.

Telecast

The East Bengal vs Odisha FC game kicks off at 8 PM IST, at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 22 December. Live telecast of the fixture will be available on Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel). Live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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