Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal Preview - Lineups, Team News | ISL 2026-27
The Goan side will lock horns with defending ISL champions East Bengal in Goa.
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.
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
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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.
Players to Watchout
Sebastián Gutiérrez (Churchill Brothers)
The Colombian attacking midfielder, Sebastián Gutiérrez, will be one of the key players for the Red Machines when they play against East Bengal in their second home match of the ISL. He will be expected to play a crucial role in linking the midfield with the forward line, as he operates as a number 10 role creating scoring opportunities, and providing the creative spark in the final third.
He plays a crucial role in Churchill Brothers’ attacking formation because of his ability to discover gaps between the opposition’s defensive and midfield lines, make deft passes, and get to dangerous attacking positions. In Churchill Brothers’ season-opening game against Mumbai City FC, Gutiérrez made an instant impression by scoring in the 86th minute to assist the Red Machines win 2-1.
Once again, Gutiérrez could prove instrumental for the Goan side if East Bengal’s defenders allow him too much space. He has the pace, skill, and goal-scoring ability to punish the Moshal Brigade for any defensive lapses.
David Lalhansanga (East Bengal FC)
David Lalhansanga has been in sublime touch for the Moshal Brigade in recent times. He scored a brace in the ACL Two 2026-27 clash against Al-Shorta. Before that, he scored a hat-trick in a 7-2 victory against NorthEast United FC in the semifinal of the IFA Shield.
Lalhansanga is a menace to opposing defences due to his agility inside the penalty box, deft finishing, and capacity to take advantage of defensive errors. As East Bengal gets ready to defend their ISL title, his recent performances have bolstered his case for a more significant role in their front line.
Under Antonio López Habas, the young Indian striker has had an outstanding run of form, displaying his ability to make an impact in the final third and his instinct for scoring goals.
He will try to maintain that momentum against Churchill Brothers by using his cunning runs and skilful finishing to undermine the Goan team’s defence.
Did you know?
- East Bengal FC and Churchill Brothers have a history of meetings in the I-League, but their fixture on 18 October 2026 will mark their first encounter in the Indian Super League.
- Gaurav Bora made history by scoring Churchill Brothers’ first-ever ISL goal with a header in the 57th minute against Mumbai City FC on 11 October 2026. The Red Machines won the match 2–1.
- East Bengal FC and Churchill Brothers have scored a combined 109 goals in their previous 47 meetings. The Red Machines have netted 53 goals, while the Torchbearers hold a narrow advantage with 56 goals, highlighting just how closely contested their historical rivalry has been.
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.
When is the ISL match between Churchill Brothers and East Bengal FC?
Churchill Brothers vs East Bengal in the 2026-27 ISL will take place on Sunday, 18 October 2026 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa .The match will kick off at 5PM IST.
Where fans can watch the match live?
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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