How East Bengal FC can line up for the crucial 2025-26 ISL Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan SG

East Bengal eye a strong win over Mohun Bagan SG as the title is on the line

East Bengal FC are poised to play the biggest game of their period in the Indian Super League (ISL) when they face Mohun Bagan SG in the Kolkata Derby on Sunday (17 May 2026). The Red & Gold Brigade, who are currently top of the ISL table, realise that a win over their rivals would basically enable them to get one step closer to winning their first-ever ISL championship.

The Torchbearers, of course, have not yet been able to get a win over their rivals in the Indian Super League. That is why winning this game is even more important, as it’ll not only allow them to get past that hurdle, but also jump over Mohun Bagan SG to get one hand on the ISL championship after what has been an eventful campaign for the Kolkata side.

Oscar Bruzon will need to be smart with his team selection in choosing the perfect combination of players who can thrive under the pressure of this clash.

Here, we look at the potential way in which East Bengal can line up for the high-pressure Kolkata derby against Mohun Bagan SG.

Goalkeeper: Prabhsukhan Gill

Prabhsukhan Gill has significantly elevated his performances in the 2025-26 ISL for East Bengal, keeping five (joint-most) clean sheets in the league. Coming off a terrific performance in their recent draw against Punjab FC, Gill will now look to focus on maintaining that momentum against Mohun Bagan SG.

The East Bengal goalkeeper need to be at their sharpest in recognising danger as well as making clutch saves to frustrate Mohun Bagan SG and elevate their side’s chances of winning.

Right-Back: Mohammad Rakip

Rakip has already featured in many Kolkata derbies for East Bengal, but it’s now time for him to produce his best possible performance. Rakip needs to be efficient in the right-back role, being diligent in being able to read Mohun Bagan SG’s attacking moves properly and commit timely challenges to thwart their movement.

He’ll need to be proactive in winning duels to keep his side secure and allow them to destabilise the Mariners’ attack.

Centre-Back: Kevin Sibille

Sibille has been a breath of fresh air to the East Bengal backline since joining them for the 2025-26 ISL campaign. The Argentine defender, however, will now face a formidable challenge against a star-studded attack.

He’ll need to read the Mohun Bagan SG attacking patterns well enough to make crucial challenges & clearances, as well as be smart with his forward passes to drive his side forward.

Centre-Back: Anwar Ali

Ali will look to torment his former side with another commendable performance for the Torchbearers. He’s been among the best defenders in the 2025-26 ISL campaign and needs to produce another commanding performance for his side.

Ali will need to be prolific with his clearances and winning key duels to neutralize Mohun Bagan SG’s attacking threat and stop them from playing their natural game.

Left-Back: PV Vishnu

Vishnu appears to have embraced the makeshift left-back role at East Bengal this season, which allows him to showcase his skills well. He’ll look to be a threat on the attack, using his movement and impressive crossing ability to torment the opponents.

Moreover, Vishnu also needs to work hard defensively to deal with Mohun Bagan SG’s attacking threat and make crucial challenges to stop their movement.

Centre-Midfield: Jeakson Singh

Jeakson Singh has evolved into an important squad player under Oscar Bruzon at East Bengal, mostly because of his versatility and adaptability to new roles. Jeakson should start in the deeper midfield role in the derby, and he’ll need to work hard to shield his backline from trouble.

The midfielder must work hard to win duels and regain possession in key areas, as well as thwarting Mohun Bagan SG’s movement through central areas to help East Bengal sustain pressure better.

Centre-Midfield: Mohammed Rashid

Mohammed Rashid has been a really energetic addition to the East Bengal midfield this season, but the Kolkata derby will be the biggest challenge he faces. The Palestinian midfielder’s form has slightly dipped in recent games, and he needs a commanding performance to regain the fans’ adoration.

Rashid has to be an energetic machine in the midfield, cutting down Mohun Bagan SG’s moves with his tough-tackling, duel-winning nature. He’ll also look to be quick with moving the ball forward and try to be effective from set-pieces to raise East Bengal’s goal-scoring ability.

Right-Wing: Edmund Lalrindika

Edmund Lalrindika has proven to be a breath of fresh air in the East Bengal attack this season, adding a lot more flair and unpredictability to their moves. He’ll look to be a thorn for the Mohun Bagan SG backline with his smart link-up play and element of surprise in the final third.

Lalrindika will look to not only create chances, but also get to the end of them to finish off opportunities powerfully to raise East Bengal’s chances of getting a big win.

Attacking Midfield: Miguel Figueira

Miguel Figueira has embraced his role as the creator in chief for East Bengal, being a driving force for them this season with his forward runs and clever final passes. The Brazilian midfielder needs to bring his A-game to the table in the derby to be a decisive asset for the Torchbearers.

Miguel needs to be smart with his final passes and improve his decision-making to benefit his side, while he should also look to take more shots at goal to enhance East Bengal’s unpredictability in the attack to trouble Mohun Bagan SG.

Left-Wing: Bipin Singh

Bipin Singh has a history of haunting Mohun Bagan SG in major games, and he’ll aim to do some of the same in the upcoming Kolkata derby. After having already scored against them multiple times in previous ISL playoffs, Bipin now looks to extinguish the Mariners’ charge for the 2025-26 ISL title.

Singh will aim to be clever with his movement down the left wing, sending in quality crosses for his teammates. He will, of course, also look to sneak his way into goal-scoring positions and finish off chances clinically to raise East Bengal’s winning chances.

Centre-Forward: Youssef Ezzejjari

The current top-scorer of the 2025-26 ISL has proven his quality by scoring crucial goals in many big games, but he faces his biggest challenge yet in Indian football against Mohun Bagan SG. Ezzejjari has to be especially clever with his off-the-ball movement to beat the marker on him and sneak his way into open spaces in the final third.

The forward will be tasked with finishing off chances clinically to trouble the Mariners’ backline and ensure East Bengal can fight their way to their first Kolkata derby win in the ISL.

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