East Bengal vs Chennaiyin FC lineups, team news, prediction and preview

East Bengal will be keen to take the lead against the visitors in the head-to-head scenario.

The battle for a spot in the top six of the league table intensifies daily as the Indian Super League‘s (ISL) 2025 season approaches its final quarter. However, there are teams whose current form and stature in the ongoing season only allow them to settle for a decent finish in the league itself without advancing to the knockout stage of the Indian top flight. We will be witnessing two such outfits, the likes of East Bengal and Chennaiyin FC, lock horns at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday evening.

The Stakes

East Bengal

The Kolkata giants are currently placed tenth in the league table with 18 points from 18 games. After a lacklustre start to the season under their former coach, Carles Cuadrat, Oscar Bruzon came in midway and helped the team register their first win of the season.

To date, in the ongoing season, the Red and Golds have won five games, all of which came under Bruzon’s tactical acumen. With a win percentage of 36%, the Spanish gaffer is all set to field his team against the low-lying Marina Machans and clinch their sixth win of the season on their home soil.

Chennaiyin FC

The former Indian Super League champions currently sit at the eleventh spot in the table, just a place below their counterparts for Saturday’s tie. The Marina Machans have acquired a similar number of points to that of East Bengal, but it also took them a game more, which is the reason why they have been placed below.

Since the 2023-24 season, this has been Owen Coyle’s most deplorable season so far, as the latter has only been able to register a win percentage of 21% with his team. Nevertheless, they should be eyeing to settle for at least a stalemate with the Red and Gold Brigade and share the spoils as they did on most occasions going down the timeline.

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 – 9

Emami East Bengal won – 2

Chennaiyin FC won – 2

Draws – 5

Predicted lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

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

Chennaiyin FC (4-3-1-2)

Mohammad Nawaz (GK), PC Laldinpuia, Ryan Edwards, Pritam Kotal, Laldinliana Renthlei, Farukh Choudhary, Lalrinliana Hnamte, Connor Shields, Lukas Brambilla, Irfan Yadwad, Wilmar Jordan

Players to watch out

PV Vishnu (Emami East Bengal)

The Indian forward and makeshift right-winger has been an asset to the club since his academy days. After putting up a stellar performance in the Calcutta Football League 2024, the youngster continues to soar high with flying colors. He has been the highest scorer for the Kolkata giants in the ongoing season of the Indian Super League with four goals, followed by David Lalhlansanga and Dimitri Diamantakos with three goals each.

In the team’s previous win, which came against Kerala Blasters FC, PV Vishnu broke the deadlock in the 20th minute and opened up the scoring for Oscar Bruzon’s side. Their Jordanian international, Hijazi Maher, followed his lead and scored the team’s second goal in the 72nd minute. Vishnu will be entrusted with the responsibility to have the same impact on Saturday too while hoping to add more goals to his tally.

Irfan Yadwad (Chennaiyin FC)

The 19-year-old prospect has been a prolific presence on the field for the Marina Machans. Even though he has only scored thrice in 19 games, Yadwad’s versatility and box-to-box playing style didn’t let Chennaiyin FC lose their grip completely on the game on many occasions.

Partnering up with the team’s top scorer of the season in the likes of Colombian striker Wilmar Jordan upfront, one thing is clear: Emami East Bengal’s defensive third will be put to the test on quite a few occasions during the game at the iconic Salt Lake Stadium.

Did you know?

• Emami East Bengal have won against Chennaiyin FC in their past two consecutive ties.
• Chennaiyin FC have conceded the most penalties this season.
• Emami East Bengal have scored four goals in their last five games.
• Chennaiyin FC’s Connor Shields tops the list for the maximum number of big chances created this season.

Telecast

The Emami East Bengal vs Chennaiyin FC game kicks off at 7:30 PM IST, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on February 8, 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 JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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