Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal FC Live: Confirmed lineups & pre-match updates for ISL 2026-27
A thrilling battle is set for the second game week of the 2026-27 Indian Super League (ISL) season when Churchill Brothers host East Bengal FC in their second home match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Sunday, 18 October (2026) at 5 PM (IST).
The Red Machines kicked off their top-flight journey in front of their home fans in Goa with a 2-1 victory over former champions of India, Mumbai City FC. It was an ideal start to their Indian Super League campaign.
They will now play their second home game against the Kolkata giants, East Bengal FC, as they look to build on their impressive opening result. Churchill Brothers have made some decent signings ahead of the new season, and head coach Dimitris Dimitriou will be keen to make the Goan outfit’s maiden ISL campaign a historic one.
The Red and Gold Brigade, on the other hand, parted ways with Oscar Bruzón after winning the ISL title and ending a 22-year wait for a national league championship. East Bengal have since appointed experienced Spanish coach Antonio López Habas, one of the most successful managers in Indian football, to lead the team in the new season.
🔥 DOUBLE HEADER SUNDAY IN THE ISL! ⚽
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) October 18, 2026
Two big clashes, two venues, and plenty at stake! 👊
Who will come out on top? 🏆#ISL #IndianFootball #CBFCEBFC #NEUFCKBFC pic.twitter.com/0Ko5VGSGzQ
Under Antonio Lopez Habas’ guidance, East Bengal arrive with the expectations associated with being the reigning ISL champions. Their previous campaign represented a major achievement for the Kolkata-based club, which ended their 22-year wait for a national top-flight league title. The Red & Gold Brigade won 7 of their 13 matches last season, drawing 5 while losing just once.
East Bengal have made a few new Indian signings ahead of the new campaign while completely revamping their foreign contingent. Mohammed Rashid is the only foreign player from last season’s title-winning squad to have been retained. The squad also includes goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, defender Anwar Ali, playmaker Dani Ramírez, and forwards such as Lukasz Zwoliński, David Lalhansanga and Edmund Lalrindika.
The Habas era begins in the ISL for the Torchbearers in Goa, while the debutants will be eager to secure their second consecutive victory of the season. Who will emerge victorious? Will it be Habas’s experience or Dimitriou’s tactics? We will have to wait and find out.
The Stakes
Churchill Brothers
Churchill Brothers are now back in the Indian Super League following a protracted battle to play elite football in India, thanks to the Tata Group’s transfer of their ISL licence to the Red Machines. India’s smallest state will have two football teams for the first time in the Indian Super League’s existence.
The two-time I-League champions, whose most recent title triumph was marred by controversy, wasted no time in retaining their core group of players and bringing back key members of their coaching staff. Cypriot tactician Dimitris Dimitriou has also returned to the helm.
Churchill’s foreign contingent for the ISL consists of Wayde Lekay from South Africa, Dramane Salou from Burkina Faso, Sebastián Gutiérrez from Colombia, John Okoli from Nigeria, and Alexandre Primael Yeoule from Ivory Coast. Among the notable Indian arrivals are Gaurav Bora, Vincy Barretto, Trijoy Dias, and Kingslee Fernandes.
Sebastián Gutiérrez and Gaurav Bora were the goalscorers for the Goan outfit in their last match, and they will be eager to carry that winning momentum forward and secure all three points against East Bengal at home following a promising start to their campaign.
East Bengal FC
Before the new season, the Torchbearers roped in Antonio Lopez Habas, who is a former ISL champion and has massive experience coaching in the top tier of Indian football.
After winning the Durand Cup 2026 under Antonio López Habas, East Bengal FC is now focused on the Indian Super League, where the Torchbearers will be ready to defend their championship and establish themselves as the club to beat once more.
However, East Bengal will need to strike a balance between their domestic and continental commitments this season, with effective player rotation, tactical adaptability, and workload management set to be crucial.
They built a strong squad around Indian players like Jay Gupta, Lalchungnunga, PV Vishnu, Bipin Singh, Boris Singh, Edmund Lalrindika, David Lalhansanga, Rohit Danu, Hardik Bhatt, and Narender Gahlot. Players like Anwar Ali, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Sandip Mandi, Diego Zivulic and Phurba Lachenpa will be tasked with the responsibility of keeping clean sheets for the Torchbearers.
Additionally, the Red and Gold Brigade has added a number of new members to bolster its overseas contingent. Chris Ikonomidis provides variety in attack, and Dani Ramírez is anticipated to contribute playmaking ability and inventiveness to the midfield.
Nigerian attacker Nsungusi Effiong offers another offensive option, while Polish striker Türukasz Zwoliński and Ivorian forward Ake Loba provide more firepower up front. Mohammed Rashid, meanwhile, gives the midfield solidity and experience.
East Bengal will try to get off to a great start in their ISL 2026–2027 title defence with a combination of home experience and foreign talent.
Team News
Both Churchill Brothers and East Bengal FC are expected to have fully fit squads available ahead of this mouthwatering clash in Goa.
Head-to-Head
Total Matches – 47
Churchill Brothers wins – 17
East Bengal FC wins – 17
Draws – 13
This will be the 48th meeting between the two clubs, with their latest competitive faceoff culminating in a 1-1 stalemate at the VYBK during the 2019-20 I-League.
Note: East Bengal FC and Churchill Brothers have faced each other 47 times across all competitions, with most of their encounters taking place in the I-League, now Indian Football League. However, the upcoming clash in Goa will mark their first-ever meeting in the Indian Super League (ISL), adding another chapter to their long-standing rivalry.
Predicted Lineups
Churchill Brothers (4-2-3-1)
Vikram Singh (GK); Lalbiakhlua, Gaurav Bora, Jose Luis Moreno, Lalremruata; Dramane Salou, Kingslee Fernandes; Vincy Barretto, Sebastián Gutiérrez, Trijoy Dias; Wayde Lekay.
East Bengal FC (4-2-3-1)
Prabhsukhan Singh Gill (GK); Anwar Ali, Diego Zivulic, Sandip Mandi, Jay Gupta; Jeakson Singh, Mohammed Rashid, Dani Ramirez; Chris Ikonomidis, PV Vishnu, Edmund Lalrindika; David Lalhansanga.
Telecast details
The match between Churchill Brothers and East Bengal FC will take place on October 18, 2026, at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa.
The match kicks off at 5 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and will be available to stream digitally for free on YouTube.
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