East Bengal FC aim to extend home dominance over FC Goa in ISL 2025-26

FC Goa are unbeaten and a win will take them to the top of the ISL table

The VYBK Stadium in Kolkata will host a cracker of a match on Thursday as East Bengal FC and FC Goa lock horns in the 2025-26 Indian Super League season. Both sides have had a decent start to their league campaigns and are fighting for the top spot.

The match between East Bengal vs FC Goa will be played at the VYBK Stadium on Thursday (5th March 2026). The game will kick off at 5:00 pm IST.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

The hosts started their ISL campaign by picking up back-to-back wins against NorthEast United and SC Delhi. However, Jamshedpur FC ended East Bengal’s dominant start by picking up a 2-1 win at the VYBK Stadium courtesy of a late wonder goal by Rei Tachikawa.

East Bengal are currently 5th in the ISL table with six points from their three ISL games.

A +5 goal difference will certainly help their case if they quickly flip the script and return to their winning ways.

FC Goa

The Gaurs beat SC Delhi 1-0 last week courtesy of Dejan Drazic’s goal. Manolo Marquez’s side is third in the ISL table with 7 points from their three league games.

Three continuous away games against East Bengal, Punjab FC, and Chennaiyin FC could be make or break for FC Goa before they return to their home turf.

FC Goa have already played in Kolkata earlier this season, beating Mohammedan SC 2-0 in matchweek 2. This should certainly boost the visitors’ confidence as they look to continue their unbeaten streak.

Injury Concerns and Team News

There are no suspensions or major injury concerns in both the East Bengal and FC Goa camps ahead of this game.

Head-to-Head Stats in Indian Super League

Overall Head-to-Head Record between the two clubs in ISL stand as follows

Matches played in ISL: 10

Won by East Bengal: 1

Won by FC Goa: 7

Games that ended in a draw: 2

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-4-2)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Jay Gupta, Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Lalchungnunga, Bipin Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Anton Søjberg, Edmund Lalrindika, Miguel Figueira, Youssef Ezzejjari

FC Goa (4-2-3-1)

Hrithik Tiwari (GK), Aakash Sangwan, Sandesh Jhingan, Pol Moreno, Boris Singh, Brison Fernandes, Ayush Chhetri, Sahil Tavora, Udanta Singh, Dejan Drazic, Ishan Pandita

Players to watchout

Youssef Ezzejjari (East Bengal FC)

East Bengal’s number nine has had a fabulous start to his career in India, having scored four goals in three ISL matches. Jamshedpur FC managed to contain the striker last Friday and this directly affected the result as the Red and Gold Brigade failed to convert their chances.

Youssef Ezzejjari’s involvement in the match and his contribution will directly affect the result. If the 32-year-old has a good game, it will all but guarantee all three points to the home side.

Dejan Drazic (FC Goa)

FC Goa’s lone foreigner in attack – Dejan Drazic is leading the Goan attack for Manolo Marquez. The Serbian has scored in all three games for his side and has been a live wire on the pitch with three goals and one assist.

If he gets in the game, expect Drazic to trouble the scorers once again.

Did You Know?

• FC Goa are on a six game winning streak against East Bengal in the ISL
• East Bengal last beat FC Goa on January 19th 2022, which was their only win in the ISL against the Gaurs
• FC Goa have won the most possession in the final third this season
• East Bengal have created 9 big chances, the highest among all the ISL clubs this season

Telecast

The match between East Bengal vs FC Goa will be played at the VYBK Stadium on Thursday (5th March 2026). The game will kick-off at 5:00 pm IST.

With respect to the TV telecast, the match will be shown live on the Sony Ten 2 channel. It will also be streamed online live on FanCode App.

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