East Bengal vs Mumbai City lineups, team news, prediction & preview

Both teams will desperately look to grab three points for top-six race.

East Bengal look to begin their 2025 positively when they host Mumbai City FC in their upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) clash on Monday (6 January).

The Red & Gold Brigade are determined to get three points before their Kolkata derby clash, while the Islanders look to spoil their fun to move further upwards into the top six.

The Stakes

East Bengal FC

The Torchbearers have shown a major improvement in form under Oscar Bruzon and have significantly improved their home form too. It’s time they prove their ability to beat another big opponent at home after doing so to NorthEast United earlier in the campaign.

Bruzon has to ensure his side are defensively sturdy and make more use of the chances created. A win for East Bengal not only keep their playoff dreams alive but will also serve as a huge confidence booster before the derby. A loss, on the other hand, could put a dampener on their mood before the big game.

Mumbai City FC

The Islanders’ shaky 2024-25 ISL campaign continued with a stunning loss to NorthEast United in their last game. Petr Kratky will have to hope the second half of the campaign brings a new dawn for his side. The gaffer will urge his players to take the fight to East Bengal knowing how uncertain they’ve looked in big games this season.

Mumbai City will try to play on the front foot and need to be at their ruthless best to get three points. The Islanders can raise their momentum with a big win in Kolkata, but a draw or loss can spoil the mood around the club even further.

Team & Injury News

Saul Crespo remains a doubt for this game with an injury, as does Mohammad Rakip. Madih Talal is out for the rest of the campaign.

Akash Mishra and Ayush Chhikara are ruled out for the Islanders.

Head-to-head

Matches Played – 8

East Bengal wins – 1

Mumbai City wins – 5

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Provat Lakra, Hector Yuste, Hijazi Maher, Lalchhungnunga, Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Nandhakumar Sekar, PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva, Dimitrios Diamantakos

Mumbai City (4-3-3)

TP Rehenesh (GK), Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Nathan Rodrigues, Yoell van Nieff, Jayesh Rane, Brandon Fernandes, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Nikos Karelis

Players to Watch

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)

Cleiton Silva’s performances have significantly improved over the last few weeks for East Bengal, as he’s enjoying himself alongside Dimitrios Diamantakos in the frontline. Despite his encouraging performances, the 37-year-old only has one assist in 13 league games this season and there’s a need for major improvement.

Cleiton hopes to start 2025 with a bang by tormenting the Islanders’ backline with his clever movement, link-up play and need to improve his final product. If he’s able to clinically convert whatever chances come his way, continue being menacing on set-pieces and create better chances, Cleiton can be a real handful for Mumbai City.

Brandon Fernandes (Mumbai City FC)

Brandon Fernandes has had a pretty torrid start to his Mumbai City career, having zero goal contributions in 10 appearances so far. The 30-year-old has struggled to get going properly at his new club and will now hope to turn things around for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign. Fernandes possesses the skillset to be a tormentor for East Bengal and unlock their sturdy defensive shape.

He will need to be smarter with his movement in midfield to oust the East Bengal midfielders and get into the best spaces. More importantly, Brandon will look to use his creative magic to unlock East Bengal’s defensive shapes and create big chances from set-pieces and normal situations with his final delivery.

Did you know?

• East Bengal have won three of their last four home matches in the ISL.
• Mehtab Singh has made more passes (724) and had more successful touches (963) than any other player in the ISL.
• East Bengal have the third-best defensive record in the ISL so far this season.

Telecast Details

The East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC clash will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on 6 January. It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be broadcast live on the Sports 18 Network and be available to live stream on JioCinema. International viewers can catch the action on the OneFootball app.

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