East Bengal FC vs Bengaluru FC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

East Bengal FC will be eager to win four straight games when they face Bengaluru FC.

With just two game weeks remaining in the 2024-25 Indian Super League season, the competition for a place in the top six for East Bengal FC is getting fiercer daily. They will play a formidable Bengaluru FC on Sunday evening at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan.

It is a game between two sides facing different situations, with one side preparing for the ISL playoffs and the other fighting for a chance to play. A team desperate for a win, East Bengal has it all to do and will also depend on other results for playoff qualification.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

With 27 points from 22 games, the Kolkata giants are presently ranked eighth in the league standings. Oscar Bruzon joined the side in the middle of the season and helped the squad win its first game after they had a poor start under their previous coach, Carles Cuadrat.

The Red and Gold have won eight games this season, all attributed to Bruzon’s tactical prowess. The Spanish coach is prepared to start his team against the high-flying Blues and secure their ninth victory at home after winning three games on the trot.

Bengaluru FC

The former Indian Super League champions sit at the third spot on the table, just behind Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant and FC Goa. Bengaluru FC have acquired 37 points from 22 games with eleven wins in the season.

Given that it is Sunil Chhetri’s farewell season, they would be eyeing to make it a staggering 40 points against the Red and Gold Brigade on their home soil. A win for the Blues will ensure positive momentum ahead of the upcoming ISL playoffs.

Injury and Team News

Both teams are expected to have a fully fit and healthy roster available for selection.

Head-to-Head

Total matches played – 19

East Bengal FC wins – 10

Chennaiyin FC wins – 8

Draws – 1

Predicted lineups

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

Coach: Oscar Bruzon

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Nishu Kumar, Hector Yuste, Lalchungunga, Nandha Kumar Sekar, Mahesh Singh Naorem, Souvik Chakrabarti, Richard Celis, David Lalhlansanga, PV Vishnu, Dimitri Diamantakos

Bengaluru FC (4-3-3)

Coach: Gerard Zaragoza

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK), Namgyal Bhutia, Chinglensana Singh, Rahul Bheke, Naorem Roshan Singh, Alberto Noguera, Lalremtluanga Fanai, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Ryan Williams, Edgar Mendez, Sivasakthi Narayanan

Players to Watch

PV Vishnu (East Bengal FC)

In their victory over Kerala Blasters FC, PV Vishnu broke the scoreless tie in the 20th minute and opened the scoring for Oscar Bruzon’s team. Their Jordanian international, Hijazi Maher, followed his lead and scored the team’s second goal in the 72nd minute. The Indian forward and makeshift right-winger has been a valuable member of the team since his academy days and is still flying high with flying colors after putting up a fantastic performance in the Calcutta Football League 2024. Vishnu will be entrusted with the responsibility to have the same impact against Bengaluru FC on Sunday too while hoping to add more goals to his tally.

Ryan Williams (Bengaluru FC)

The Blues winger will once more be in the limelight after being a star turn for his team. At Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, he contributed two goals and an assist in their match against Chennaiyin FC.Williams has made 16 appearances for the team so far this season, contributing four assists and six goals. Additionally, he recently had a strong game presence against the Marina Machans and a strong performance versus NorthEast United FC. At VYBK Stadium on Sunday, Ryan Williams will try to increase his total.

Did You Know?

• Both East Bengal FC and Bengaluru FC have scored 8 goals in their last 5 games.
• Their last six games against each other have always yielded a winner.
• Cleiton Silva has created the most number of big chances for the hosts.
• Ryan Williams is ranked third in the competition for making the most number of big chances.

Telecast

The East Bengal FC vs Bengaluru FC game kicks off at 7:30 PM IST, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on March 2, 2025. Live telecast of the fixture will be available on Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 Channel).

Live streaming of the game will be available on the Jio Hotstar app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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