East Bengal vs NorthEast United FC lineups, team news, prediction & preview

East Bengal will look to grab their first win against an in-form NorthEast side.

East Bengal are still searching for their first win in the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) season when they host a confident NorthEast United side at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata, on Friday (29 November).

The Red & Gold Brigade will aim to build on their recent hard-fought draw against Mohammedan Sporting and add more firepower to their final product to finally get back to winning ways in the league.

However, they face a stern test against a high-flying NorthEast United side determined to maintain their impressive form and head closer to the top of the table.

The Stakes

East Bengal

East Bengal’s poor start to the season has left them 11 points adrift of a playoff position in the ISL. Oscar Bruzon hinted recently that his side aims to finish in the top four this season and anything apart from a playoff spot would be a failure. Well, it’s time for the East Bengal squad to put their money where their mouth is and perform to their best ability. The Red & Gold Brigade need to be defensively even stronger than they were in the last game because of how unpredictable and prolific the Highlanders’ frontline is.

Not only must they maintain utmost concentration in defending, but also have to be smarter and smoother in moving the ball forward and creating innovative chances. If East Bengal can maintain a compact shape and tap into their clinical nature, they might get something from this. A win can be a huge momentum booster and get them up the table, but another loss could more or less end their playoff dream.

NorthEast United

Riding high on a four-game unbeaten run, Juan Benali’s side are riding high on confidence. In their last few games, NorthEast United have proven that they won’t be any pushovers and can torment any side with their terrorizing attacking shape.

The Highlanders won’t take East Bengal lightly despite that form as that isn’t how Benali operates his side. But this is an ideal chance for them to move further up the table and improve their goal difference.

NorthEast United’s players need to be at their most efficient to break open the Red & Gold Brigade’s backline and cause them major trouble.

Another win for NorthEast United will solidify them as genuine ISL league Shield title challengers, but a loss to a struggling team like East Bengal can risk them falling far behind Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan.

Team News

East Bengal

Nandhakumar Sekar and Naorem Mahesh Singh are both suspended after getting sent off in the last match. Hector Yuste is doubtful amid questions over his fitness levels.

NorthEast United

Dinesh Singh will miss the match for NorthEast United after getting sent off in their recent win over Punjab FC.

Head-to-head

Total Matches Played – 8

East Bengal wins – 2

NorthEast United wins – 4

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill, Mohamad Rakip, Anwar Ali, Hijazi Maher, Lalchungnunga, Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Madih Talal, PV Vishnu, David Lalhlansanga, Dimitrios Diamantakos

NorthEast United (4-2-3-1)

Gurmeet Singh, Tondonba Singh, Asheer Akhtar, Michel Zabaco, Buanthanglun Samte, Mayakkannan, Macarton Jackson, Jithin MS, Nestor Albiach, Alaaeddine Ajaraie, Guillermo Fernández

Players to Watch

Madih Talal (East Bengal)

Madih Talal has had a relatively slow start to his East Bengal career in the ISL, only scoring once in seven games. But the Frenchman showed a lot of resolve in their AFC Challenge League campaign, contributing to many goals and pulling the strings in midfield in an inspired way. Talal has to rediscover his spark and needs to be a bit more adventurous against a NorthEast United side that has just two clean sheets this season.

Talal is averaging two chances created per game and needs to amp that up by nailing the accuracy of his final delivery from open range of set-pieces. Talal will need to be at his creative best for Esat Bengal to take the fight to NorthEast United and go toe-to-toe with them in the attack. If he can bypass the opponent midfielders to create chances and get himself into goal-scoring chances, then the 27-year-old could be a potential game-changer for his side.

Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United)

The ISL top-scorer had a rare blank in NorthEast United’s win over Punjab FC recently and that will make him hungrier to get among the goals against East Bengal.

Ajaraie has been a thorn in the side of the majority of ISL sides this season, with his excellent movement, positioning and finishing ability helping his side compete at the top of the table. Ajaraie will look to add to his 11 league goals by producing another flashy performance.

He’ll need to be smart and conniving in getting past his marker as the Kolkata side will try to mark him out of the game. If Ajaraie can move past his defender and time his runs to perfection, he can produce a real tour de force against East Bengal and potentially take the game away from them.

Did you know?

• East Bengal are the only ISL team to have had two players sent off in the same game so far this season.
• NorthEast United have scored 21 goals in 9 ISL matches this season, the highest for any team in the division.
• The last three ISL matches between East Bengal and NorthEast United have each produced five goals or more.

Telecast Details

The match between East Bengal and NorthEast United will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Friday (29 November). It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be broadcast live on Sports 18 and be available to live stream online on Jio Cinema. International viewers can watch the match on the OneFootball app.

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