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

Both teams will look to grab three points from their campaign.

East Bengal look to maintain their unbeaten run when they face off against an experienced Odisha FC side at the Salt Lake Stadium (Kolkata) in the Indian Super League (ISL) on December 12.

The Red & Gold Brigade are looking to win their third straight league game in their tryst of clawing back up towards the playoffs spot, but face a resilient Odisha side that possesses a lot of firepower capable of ripping apart their momentum.

The Stakes

East Bengal

Oscar Bruzon has inspired his side to go on a three-match unbeaten run, which includes impressive wins over NorthEast United and Chennaiiyin FC. He has to ensure his side are defensively just as unpenetrable as they’ve been in recent games to keep up this good run.

The gaffer will also urge his forwards to be more clinical and finish off chances better because the Odisha FC backline won’t give them that many opportunities. Another win can uplift beliefs of East Bengal mounting a top-6 run, but a draw or loss can disrupt the brilliant momentum they’ve recently picked up.

Odisha FC

The Juggernauts have themselves also picked up their form in recent weeks and are on a four-match unbeaten streak amid their desires to get closer to the top spot. Sergio Lobera has helped Odisha FC become defensively much more stable and discover their ruthless streak going forward.

They’ll need to be very innovative and bullish in the final third to break this sturdy East Bengal backline while maintaining utmost concentration to stop them from scoring.

Odisha FC can establish themselves as dark horses in the ISL league shield race with a big win over East Bengal, but dropping points could see them falling quite far away from Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC.

Team & Injury News

East Bengal

Saul Crespo is suspended for this match and is expected to miss a few games after getting injured against Chennaiyin FC. Dimitrios Diamantakos is also struggling with an issue before the match.

Odisha FC

The Juggernauts are going to miss Roy Krishna for the rest of the season after he sustained a season-ending knee injury recently.

Head-to-head

Total Matches – 11

Odisha FC wins – 7

East Bengal wins – 2

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineups

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Mohamed Rakip, Hijazi Maher, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Jeakson Singh, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Madih Talal, Naorem Mahesh Singh, PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva

Odisha FC (4-2-3-1)

Amrinder Singh (GK), Amey Ranawade, Carlos Delgado, Thoiba Singh, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Ahmed Jahouh, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Hugo Boumous, Isak Vanlalruetfela, Diego Mauricio

Players to Watch

Madih Talal (East Bengal)

Madih Talal is starting to slowly move into this rhythm in Oscar Bruzon’s East Bengal side, as he’s getting more chances to make a difference in the final third.

The French midfielder picked up a great assist in their last home game, providing the cross for Diamantakos’ winner against NorthEast United. He’ll need to be at his creative best to bewilder and outwit this sturdy Odisha FC backline.

Talal has to be smart in making the right kinds of runs into the final third to get the better of Ahmed Jahouh. But his biggest responsibility will be to spot his teammates and swing in the right kind of passes into the box for East Bengal to torment the visitors. If Talal can turn on his swagger against the visitors, then he could inspire a beautiful outing for the Red & Gold Brigade.

Diego Mauricio (Odisha FC)

Diego Mauricio has been in explosive form for the Juggernauts this season, with seven goals in 11 outings. This includes three goals in his last three ISL matches, with Lobera needing his in-form forward to be at his clinical best to break the East Bengal backline that hasn’t conceded a goal in their last three matches.

Mauricio needs to be at his bullish best to trouble Anwar Ali and Hijazi Maher, which includes not only winning the key duels but also barging his way to empty areas in the final third.

He’ll, of course, need his teammates to serve up big chances in the box but Odisha FC will rely on Mauricio to finish off whatever he gets to put them on top of the game and leave the Salt Lake Stadium with three points.

Did you know?

• East Bengal have the third-best defensive record in the ISL this season, with only Mohun Bagan and Punjab FC conceding fewer goals so far.
• Odisha FC have score the most goals (23) in the ISL after having played 11 matches in the ongoing campaign.
• No other team has picked up as many red cards as East Bengal (5). Lalchungnunga is the only player to have been sent off twice this season too.

Telecast Details

The East Bengal vs Odisha FC clash will take place at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata on Thursday (12 December). It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST.

The match will be shown live on the Sports 18 network and be live-streamed on Jio Cinema. International viewers can catch the action on the OneFootball app.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.