Top of the table clash awaits at Salt Lake as East Bengal FC hosts Jamshedpur FC

Both teams have won their first two games

The City of Joy is set to host an Indian Super League (ISL) thriller as Kolkata giants East Bengal FC lock horns with Jamshedpur FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Matchweek 3.

The home team, East Bengal, is in sublime form and is at the top of the ISL table after clinching two back-to-back wins in their first two games. Oscar Bruzon’s men defeated Sporting Delhi and NorthEast United FC and will be eyeing their third win of the campaign against the Red Miners.

Jamshedpur FC, under the leadership of Owen Coyle have been a very different team so far. Shedding of their mid-table team tag, the Red Miners are keen to replicate the charisma of the 2021-22 season, when they went on to win the ISL shield and become the Champions of India.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

The Red and Gold Brigade have kick-started the new season strongly after securing consecutive wins. After a disastrous start last season, when the Kolkata outfit lost five games in a row, Bruzon’s men have totally turned the tide in their favor and will be eyeing another victory at home against the Red Miners.

Bruzon has previously been at the coaching helm of top Spanish clubs like Mallorca and Celta. His attacking philosophy has seen the team clocking an average of 3.5 goals per game so far, and they have also kept their defense tight and have only conceded a solitary goal so far.

Jamshedpur FC

Had Arshdeep not made a silly mistake in the last quarter, Jamshedpur FC would have had to make peace with a stalemate in the last game. Despite winning the last two games, the Red Miners failed to exhibit their supreme dominance so far in the last two games.

They have won both games by a narrow 1-0 margin, and getting the better of the East Bengal defense wouldn’t be an easy task for Coyle’s men. The Red Miners have been defensively solid so far, keeping two clean sheets back-to-back against Mohammedan and Punjab FC.

Team News

There are no injury concerns in the Jamshedpur FC camp.

Oscar Bruzon will most likely miss the presence of Saul Crespo, Naorem Mahesh Singh and Kevin Sibile.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 10

Jamshedpur FC wins – 03

East Bengal FC wins – 04

Draws – 03

Predicted Lineups

Jamshedpur FC (4-3-3) 

Albino Gomes (GK); Pronay Halder, Pratik Chaudhari, Stephen Eze, Mark Zo; Ritwik Das, Madih Talal, Rei Tachikawa; Sanan, Messi B, Nikhil Barla

East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1)

Gill (GK); Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, Anwar Ali; Rashid, B Singh, Jeakson, Nandakumar, Figueira; Larindika, Ezzejjari

Players to watchout

Miguel Figueira (East Bengal FC)

The Brazilian midfielder has plied his trade with Goias and Basundhara Kinga before making a move to the Mecca of Indian football with East Bengal. At such a young age, he has already featured against some of the top Brazilian clubs and notably made his debut against Fluminense.

With Basundhara, Figueira went on to win the BPL thrice and also won the Independence Cup too. He will be raring to go all guns blazing, against the Red Miners, as a win will solidify their position in the top of the ISL table. However, it won’t be a cakewalk for Figuiera to get past Albino Gomes.

Pronay Halder (Jamshedpur FC)

Pronay Halder has been unarguably one of the most important players for the Red Miners. From playing a vital role in bringing the first silverware to the club in 2022 to captaining the club on several occasions. When facing a Kolkata giant at their home turf, Pronay’s experience will be key in unlocking the defense.

The former India international has played for Mohun Bagan previously and is highly regarded as a legend. He will be tasked with the responsibility of supporting the defense from the Centre of the park. It will be interesting to see if Coyle deploys him as a full-back or whether he will play in the midfield.

Did you know

• Cleiton Silva who played for East Bengal is the leading goalscorer in this fixture.
• East Bengal won 1-0 when these two sides last met at Salt Lake.
• The only time Jamshedpur managed to beat the Kolkata giants away from home was back in 2023

Telecast Details

The Indian Super League 2025-26 match between Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on Friday (27 February)

It will kick off at 5:00 PM IST. The match will be broadcasted live on Sony Network for TV and stream on the FanCode app.

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