East Bengal vs Inter Kashi Preview: Predicted lineups, start time & where to watch ISL 2025-26
This will be East Bengal’s first national title in 22 years.
As the Indian Super League 2025-26 title race heads into the final game of the season, league leaders East Bengal FC are set to face Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata. Although the fixture is officially a home game for Inter Kashi, the atmosphere is expected to heavily favour East Bengal, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30 IST.
East Bengal head into the do-or-die clash after a dramatic draw in the Kolkata Derby, while Inter Kashi come into the match following a goalless draw against SC Delhi in Delhi.
The equation for both sides heading into the game is straightforward. East Bengal must secure all three points to clinch their first national league title in almost 22 years, while Inter Kashi will aim to frustrate the Red and Gold Brigade and deny them the silverware.
The Stakes
Inter Kashi FC
For Inter Kashi, their debut ISL campaign can already be considered a success. The club has won three of their 12 matches so far and currently sits ninth in the standings and has avoided relegation.
Despite the departure of Antonio Lopez Habas, interim head coach Abhijit Mondal has stepped up impressively in the last two matches. Inter Kashi managed to hold Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a goalless draw while earning another point away from home against SC Delhi in their last game.
Those back-to-back clean sheets will provide the side from Kashi with plenty of confidence heading into the final game of the season. And what better occasion could there be for the Inter Kashi players to make a statement?
Inter Kashi now has the opportunity to potentially derail East Bengal’s title dreams, something many connected with Habas’ legacy at ATK and Mohun Bagan would appreciate. Abhijit Mondal himself is a former East Bengal player; however, as a coach, his primary focus will simply be ensuring his side avoids defeat.
East Bengal FC
For East Bengal, the stakes could not be any clearer. Win the match and end a 22-year wait for the club’s national league title. That is expected to be the message from head coach Oscar Bruzon to his players.
The East Bengal squad don’t need any better motivation to win after witnessing the emotional support from the fans during the Kolkata Derby. When the Red and Gold Brigade took the lead in that game, emotional scenes unfolded in the stands, with supporters shedding tears of joy. For the fans, this potential title represents far more than just another trophy; it symbolises the end of years of disappointment and waiting.
At times this season, East Bengal have struggled for consistency and dropped valuable points, particularly in draws against Kerala Blasters FC and Punjab FC. Bruzon will be desperate to ensure there are no further slip-ups against an Inter Kashi side that, on paper, possesses a comparatively weaker squad.
Team News
East Bengal are expected to be without a few key players for the decisive clash. Saul Crespo is likely to miss the game, while Edmund Lalrindika remains suspended following his red card against Mohun Bagan. However, Souvik Chakrabarti returns from suspension and should provide a boost in midfield.
Inter Kashi also has concerns of their own. Mario Barco remains unavailable after missing most of the season, while Spanish goalkeeper Lluis Tarres has also been absent in recent matches. Jayesh Rane missed the clash against SC Delhi, and his availability for the season finale remains uncertain.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have never played against each other in any competition earlier and this fixture will mark the first-ever meeting between East Bengal and Inter Kashi since the latter’s establishment in 2023.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Kashi FC (4-4-2)
Shubham Das (GK); Sandip Mandi, David Humanes, Narendar Gahlot, Nishu Kumar; Rohit Danu, Tomba Singh, Sergio Llamas, Mohammed Asif; Alfred Planas, Nauris PetkeviÄŤius.
East Bengal FC (3-4-3):
Prabhsukhan Gill (GK); Mohammad Rakip, Kevin Sibille, Anwar Ali; PV Vishnu, Souvik Chakrabarti, Mohammed Rashid, Bipin Singh; Nandhakumar Sekar, Youssef Ezzejjairi, Miguel Figueira.
Players to Watchout
Inter Kashi – Sergio Llamas
Facing an East Bengal side capable of attacking effectively both through the flanks and centrally, Inter Kashi must ensure they do not allow too much space to the East Bengal midfielders, particularly Miguel Figueira, to dictate the tempo of the game and create opportunities.
One player who could prove crucial in limiting that threat is Sergio Llamas. The Spanish midfielder played a similar role successfully against players like Dimitrios Petratos and Sahal Abdul Samad in Inter Kashi’s draw against Mohun Bagan, while also impressing against SC Delhi.
Abhijit Mondal will once again rely on Llamas to neutralize Miguel’s influence in midfield and reduce East Bengal’s attacking threat.
East Bengal – Miguel Figueira
Ultimately, East Bengal’s hopes of winning the title may depend on one key factor: whether their forwards can capitalise on the chances created by Miguel Figueira. If the attackers are clinical in front of the goal, the Red and Gold Brigade could comfortably secure the victory they need.
The Brazilian midfielder has been one of the standout creators in the league this season. Miguel has produced 12 big chances and registered six assists, including one in the Kolkata Derby against Mohun Bagan. He also averages more shots per game than any other player in the ISL while maintaining an average of 3.5 key passes per match, the second highest in the league behind Madih Talal.
Oscar Bruzon’s tactical approach is therefore expected to be simple: ensure the midfield feeds possession to Miguel regularly while allowing the forwards to remain high up the pitch, ready to convert the opportunities created by the Brazilian playmaker.
Telecast details
The match between Inter Kashi FC and East Bengal FC will take place on May 21, 2026, at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata.
The match kicks off at 19:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD and will be available to stream on FanCode.
Outside India, in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 matches will be live-streamed on the FanCode app.
Begin Watch is the official broadcast partner for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025–26 season in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
In all other remaining countries, live streaming will be available on the FanCode YouTube channel.
When and where will East Bengal vs Inter Kashi take place?
The ISL 2025-26 clash between East Bengal FC and Inter Kashi will be played at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday, 21 May 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST.
Where can fans watch East Bengal vs Inter Kashi live?
The match will be telecast live on Sony Ten 2 and Sony Ten 2 HD in India. Fans can also stream the game live on FanCode.
What does East Bengal need to do to win the ISL 2025-26 title?
East Bengal need to defeat Inter Kashi in their final league match to secure the ISL 2025-26 title and end their 22-year wait for a national league crown.
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Shyam Sundar is an Indian football fan turned writer who has been covering the sport since 2023, after following it closely since 2020. He has reported on the ISL, I-League, IWL, and Indian national team matches. A passionate football enthusiast, he holds a special place in his heart for Chennaiyin FC and Manchester United.