East Bengal FC face Odisha FC in a must-win clash to keep ISL title dreams alive

East Bengal FC to face Odisha FC at PJN Stadium Fatorda, Goa

East Bengal FC looks to get back to winning ways in Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season when they host a struggling Odisha FC at the PJN Stadium Fatorda, Goa on Tuesday (28 April 2026).

The Red & Gold Brigade are desperate to jump back into the ISL title race with a win, but they will face a challenging task against a wounded Odisha FC, who will aim to produce a major surprise to sink their opponents’ title ambitions.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

Even though they played out a chaotic 3-3 draw against Bengaluru FC recently, East Bengal still have the chance of climbing back in the title race with a win over Odisha FC. They’re five points behind league leaders Mohun Bagan SG, but with a game in hand, so they can go two points behind the Mariners with a win. Oscar Bruzon’s side has struggled with consistency issue, and they need a dominant performance to regain their confidence.

He will urge his players to take the fight to Odisha FC, tormenting them with innovative and fast-paced attacking moves to give joy to their fans.

A big win for East Bengal can definitely reinvigorate their spirits and title aspirations, but dropping points to this struggling Odisha FC side will definitely be a huge blow to competing at the top of the table.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC have had a nightmare of a campaign in the 2025-26 ISL, having been only able to win a single match in their eight outings so far. They have picked up six points and have lost three of their previous four games as well.

The Juggernauts are desperate to get out of the bottom-two places in the ISL table and to do so, they need to produce a particularly inspired display against East Bengal.

Odisha FC will need maintain a really strong defensive structure to be able to counter the hosts’ attacking threat, and they’ll also need to be efficient on the transitions and finish off their chances clinically to be able to get a positive result out of this game.

A win for Odisha FC can be a huge morale-booster that can help them end the season strongly, but another crushing loss would bring further disappointment for the fans and players.

Team News

Oscar Bruzon is going to miss Miguel Figueria, who is suspended for this clash. Naorem Mahesh Singh and Mohammed Rashid are also ruled out because of injuries.

TG Purushothaman still has questions around the availability of Rahul KP for this clash.

Head-to-Head Record

Total Matches – 12

East Bengal wins – 2

Odisha FC wins – 8

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-3-3)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Jeakson Singh, Kevin Sibille, Anwar Ali, PV Vishnu, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Anton Horup, Bipin Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, Youssef Ezzejjari

Odisha FC (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak, Thoiba Singh, Carlos Delgado, Subham Bhattacharya, Hitesh Sharma, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lalrinfela Khiangte, Rahim Ali, Isak Vanlalruatfela, VP Suhair

Players to Watchout

Youssef Ezzejjari (East Bengal FC)

Youssef Ezzejjairi has proven himself to be quite a shrewd signing for East Bengal, producing positive performances in the majority of his outings for the Kolkata side.

He has scored seven goals in his ISL appearances so far this season, but now that the 32-year-old is without a goal in his last two appearances, he’s hungry to end that barren run.

The Spanish forward will look to be a nightmare for the Odisha FC defenders, using his clever off-the-ball movement to sneak past their defensive line into the danger zones.

He’s likely to get quite many chances to score, which means Ezzejjairi needs to be at his clinical best in converting his opportunities and guiding the Kolkata side to a dominant win.

Rahim Ali (Odisha FC)

Rahim Ali is definitely the most experienced figure in the Odisha FC frontline, and he needs to act like one in their upcoming clash against East Bengal.

The India international has scored two goals in the 2025-26 ISL campaign so far, and will need to maintain his momentum after scoring against Kerala Blasters in his last appearance.

Ali will look to make use of his physicality to frustarte the East Bengal defenders, while also looking to make use of his burst of pace to get the ball into the danger areas.

While Ali will be urged to create chances for his teammates by nailing creative final third passes, his primary objective will be to getting at the end of chances and finishing them off in a prolific manner to help pop a surprise against East Bengal.

Did you know?

• East Bengal have scored the most number of goals (22) in the 2025-26 ISL after nine match-days.
• Odisha FC have won just one game in the 2025-26 ISL, the second-lowest for any team in the division after the first eight matches.
• East Bengal are averaging an average attendance of 16,087 for their home matches, the second best attendance in the ongoing ISL campaign.

Telecast Details

The ISL match between East Bengal and Odisha FC will take place at the PJN Stadium Fatorda, Goa on Tuesday (28 April 2026).

The match will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. It will be broadcasted live on Sony Ten 2 & Sony Ten 2 HD, as well as be available to stream live on FanCode.

Outside India, in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 matches will be live-streamed on the FanCode app.

Begin Watch is the official broadcast partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.

In all other remaining countries, live streaming will be available on the FanCode YouTube channel.

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.