Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal lineups, team news, prediction and preview

Kolkata Derby was shifted from Kolkata to Guwahati amid security concerns.

Mohun Bagan faces off against arch-rivals East Bengal in what should be an enticing Kolkata derby at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday (11 January).

A win for the Mariners can help them establish themselves as major ISL league shield favorites, while the Torchbearers aim to spoil their party by getting a much-needed big win.

The Stakes

Mohun Bagan

Jose Molina’s side has soared its way to the top of the ISL table and have been helped by seeing their title challengers slip up in recent weeks. A win in the derby can be the ultimate motivational booster for Mohun Bagan to go all the way to winning the ISL league shield in the second half of the season. Molina will urge his side to take the fight to the Red & Gold Brigade, which includes playing incisive attacking football and using their pace to torment their rivals.

Even though their ‘home derby’ might not be in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan are still indebted to providing a thrilling display for their fans as a win is quintessential to give them bragging rights. A loss, however, can ruin all the momentum they’ve built up in recent months and cause unnecessary setbacks to their title challenge.

East Bengal

East Bengal are coming into the game at the back of a two-game winless run, but Oscar Bruzon will be determined for his side to give their best showing in the derby. He will need them to be much sturdier defensively than they’ve been in recent games, especially in cutting down the mistakes.

He’ll want East Bengal to take the fight to Mohun Bagan by employing an effective high-pressing style, but also needs his players to be way more effective with their work in the final third. A win for East Bengal can not only be a statement of their power and give their fans the utmost joy, but it can throw them right back into top-6 contention. But another loss can more or less end their hopes of a playoff finish.

Injury & Team News

Mohun Bagan

The Mariners are going to miss the likes of Anirudh Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan with injury issues in this game.

East Bengal

The Torchbearers are still without midfielder Saul Crespo, who is recovering from an injury. There are questions about Mohamad Rakip’s fitness levels too, but Anwar Ali should be fit for this.

Head-to-Head

Total Matches Played – 398

Mohun Bagan wins – 130

East Bengal wins – 141

Draws – 127

Probable Lineups

Mohun Bagan (4-2-3-1)

Vishal Kaith (GK), Asish Rai, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Manvir Singh, Greg Stewart, Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren

East Bengal (4-4-1-1)

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

Players to Watch

Jamie Maclaren (Mohun Bagan)

Jamie Maclaren has proven himself as a ‘big game player’ for Mohun Bagan this season, having goals in both Kolkata derbies so far. The Australian forward has been an unpredictable threat for the Mariners in this campaign, proving himself as a dangerous ‘box striker’ who sniffs out the best chances in the final third.

Maclaren hopes to be a menace to the East Bengal defenders with his clever off-the-ball movement and link-up play, which will help destabilize their shape as well. However, the forward will be mostly tasked to be at the receiving end of the best chances. He’ll try to get in behind the defenders into the empty spaces in the final third and use his smart finishing ability to torment the Red & Gold Brigade once again.

Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal)

Dimitrios Diamatankos was signed by East Bengal to be a match-winner and come up big for them in matches like the Kolkata Derby. The Greek forward has had a stop-start campaign so far, only scoring three goals in the ISL and lacking consistency. However, his recent shaky form can be forgiven if he’s able to produce something special in the Kolkata Derby. Diamantakos might not receive a plethora of big chances, but at least has to try and capitalize on the ones he gets at the end of.

The forward has to be conniving with his movement in and around the penalty area to fool the defensive duo of Tom Aldred and Alberto Rodriguez. He has to tap into his most lethal self to end up being the star of the show and give his side a big chance of coming up as victors in the derby.

Did you know?

• This is the first time an ISL Kolkata derby will be held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The last time was held outside Kolkata was in Goa.
• Greg Stewart still remains on top of the ISL assists charts with five assists to his name so far this season.
• The last time East Bengal won a Kolkata derby in a national league was back in January, 2019 in their 2-0 win over Mohun Bagan in the I-League.

Telecast Details

The Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will take place at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Saturday (11 January). It will kick off at 7:30 PM IST. The match will be shown live on Sports 18 and be live-streamed on Jio Cinema. International viewers can watch the match on the OneFootball app.

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