East Bengal FC vs South United FC Preview - Team news, lineups | Durand Cup 2026

East Bengal aim to continue their winning run in Durand Cup 2026

East Bengal are likely to stay alive in contention for the knockout rounds of the 2026 Durand Cup when they face off against South United in their final match of the group stages at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Tuesday (7 August 2026).

This year in the Durand Cup, the top team from each group, along with the two best runners-up, will advance to the knockout stages. So, if East Bengal wins this match in a convincing fashion, like they did against CISF Protectors, they will still have a chance of qualifying to the next round of the Durand Cup 2026 and continue their winning run under head coach Antonio Lopez Habas.

Coming fresh off their impressive and dominating 8-0 win over CISF Protectors in the last match, the Torchbearers look to maintain their positive momentum in the tournament by withstanding the grueling challenge of the Bangalore-based club.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

East Bengal were dominant and impressive against the CISF Protectors Football Team in the last match and won the match with a scoreline of 8-0 with the virtue of a hattrick from their Indian star player PV Vishnu.

Other than Vishnu, another Kerala sensation of the Red and Gold Brigade, Jessin TK showed some quality in the upfront and scored a brace in his first appearance for the senior team in the East Bengal outfit this season.

Bipin Singh, Jeakson Singh also secured their name in the scoresheet along with one own goal. Other than that, the new recruits from the ISL side Mumbai City FC, like Hardik Bhatt in the defence, Phurba Lachenpa under the goal post showed their quality and intent.

East Bengal were able maintain their defensive discipline and played attacking football under their new head coach Antonio Lopez Habas. Now, the challenge for the Torchbearers is to maintain winning consistency if they really want to dominate their way into winning the Durand Cup championship.

The Dani Ramirez-Mohammed Rashid duo is slowly getting into it’s shape in the midfield for the Moshal Brigade under Habas and we might also see Nacho Monsalve, Narender Gahlot getting more game time in this match along with Chris Ikonomidis, the new recruit in the frontline for East Bengal.

As this match will be the final match where head coach Habas can finalize his strategies and team list before East Bengal host Al-Arabi SC in the all-important AFC Champions League Two 2026–27 Preliminary Stage at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata. The winner of this one-off playoff will qualify for the group stage of the competition.

A dominating win for East Bengal will not only help them to stay alive in the contention for a place in the next round, but also further improve the belief in Habas’ system – but a loss or draw in the must-win game can be an unnecessary setback for the club before the AFC clash.

South United FC

To their credit, South United were also able to kick off their Durand Cup campaign with a compelling win over CISF Protectors in their first game but were defeated heavily by the Mariners (8-0) in their second match of the tournament.

But the challenge for the next game will be a much tougher one for the club from Bengaluru. South United realize that they’ll need to perform at a really high level to be able to oust East Bengal and produce a real upset over them in a must-win clash of the Group A fixture in the Durand Cup 2026.

They will need to maintain an extremely sturdy defensive shape and keep 100% concentration levels to be able to neutralize the threat of the Torchbearers’ star-studded attack with Jessin TK, PV Vishnu and Edmund Lalrindika.

Moreover, the Bangalore club also needs to be clinical in converting any chances that come their way to be able to get a positive result which is eventually a must-win clash for both the teams in Group A to stay alive for the qualification berth.

A win for South United can be a huge indication of how they’re growing as a club, but a bitter loss can ruin all their good work so far and as a result they will get eliminated from the Durand Cup 2026.

Team News

East Bengal have no injury troubles heading into this upcoming Durand Cup clash.

South United should have a fully fit unit available for their upcoming game.

Head-to-Head Record (Durand Cup)

This is the second time that East Bengal and South United will meet each other in the Durand Cup.

Matches Played – 1

East Bengal wins – 1

South United wins – 0

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Phurba Lachenpa (GK), Hardik Bhatt, Lalchungnunga, Anwar Ali, Sandip Mandi, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez, Jeakson Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Jessin TK, PV Vishnu.

South United (3-4-3)

Sunil Singh (GK), Rowan, Rishik Shetty, Noel S, B Abhiram, Rinshid, Rithish, Mustafa Shaikh, Md. Altab Hussain, Shogohou, Makkamayum Daniyal.

Players to Watchout

Jessin TK (East Bengal)

The 26-year-old Kerala-born striker has been in good touch in this year’s Durand Cup. In the last match against CISF Protectors FT he looked in sublime touch and scored a brace for his team. He was also involved in creating goal-scoring opportunities throughout the match.

He is known for his intelligent movement, direct running, and willingness to take on defenders, the left-footed attacker can stretch opposition backlines with his pace and create openings in the final third. His relentless pressing and work rate also make him an important asset out of possession for the Moshal Brigade.

He is a versatile forward, capable of operating as a right winger, centre-forward, or second striker, offering his head coach Antonio Lopez Habas great tactical flexibility and fluidity in the frontline. If he finds space in the attacking third, he has the ability to trouble any defence line and could prove decisive for the Red and Gold Brigade in this match as well as throughout this season.

During Oscar Bruzon era, he was not a regular name in the starting eleven but showed his skills and abilities for the junior team under coach Bino George and have scored many goals in the Calcutta Football League. But with Habas o the helm, and after seeing Habas’ strategy in the last match, it is evident that this season Jessin TK will be one of East Bengal’s biggest attacking threats.

Rishik Shetty (South United FC)

Rishik Shetty could be one of the key players for the Bengaluru based club South United when they will lock horns against the Kolkata Giant, East Bengal FC. The 31-year-old centre-back, brings a lot experience, composure, aerial dominance, and leadership to the Bengaluru-based side’s backline.

Before joining South United FC in 2026-27 season, he has also played for clubs like Kidderpore SC, Southern Samity, Goalorious Mothers SC and Kerala United FC.

He will not allow players like PV Vishnu, Jessin TK, and Edmund Lalrindika to create easy spaces through the defence line of South United and could be crucial in frustrating East Bengal’s forwards.

Shetty is a true leader in the backline for the South United outfit and has the experience to deal with high-pressure matches. He is strong in aerial duels due to his physicality in the backline and is also dangerous in set-pieces and can score goals from dead-ball situations.

He has already scored one goal in this competition so far, against CISF Protectors FT in their first match. The opening goal of the match in the 65th minute was scored by Rishik Shetty from a set-piece.

Did you know?

• Last time when East Bengal played against South United FC at the Saltlake Stadium, the Torchbearers defeated the Bengaluru based club by 5-0 in this same competition. (Durand Cup, 2025, Group Stage, Group A clash)
• South United were only created in 2012, and are four-time runners-up of the BDFA Super Division.

Telecast Details

The Durand Cup 2026 clash between East Bengal and South United FC will take place at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Friday, 7 August (2026).

The match will kick off at 7 PM IST. It will be livestreamed on Sony LIV and be shown live on Sony Ten 2.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.