ISL 2023-24: Punjab FC vs East Bengal: Preview, predicted lineup, injury news, H2H, telecast details

This is a must-win game for East Bengal, if they want to keep their ISL playoffs hopes alive.

Permutations and combinations are the talk of the town in the ISL 2023-24 at this moment. With an eye on the Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United game, East Bengal are preparing high for their final league stage clash of the season – against Punjab FC.

The Stakes

Punjab FC

The Shers are no longer in the race to qualify for the playoffs. However, Staikos Vergetis’ side have a lot to be proud for as they punched above their weight in their first-ever ISL season. Punjab will hope to end their season on a high note with a big win to dampen East Bengal’s chances.

They don’t really have much to lose here with their playoff hopes dashed and can definitely take risks with a more attack-minded approach and harassing the visitors with constant attacks. A win can secure a top-10 finish for Punjab FC and also help them finish as high as eighth place if things go in their favour.

East Bengal

East Bengal have picked up their form at the right time to remain in the fray for a place in the playoffs. Carles Cuadrat’s side has to treat this like a must-win final, play with a positive and attack-minded approach, as well as be defensively strong.

Considering that any hopes of a playoff finish will be dashed in case of a loss, and a draw also being just as bad, the Red & Gold Brigade can’t afford to take a risk-free approach. The tactician needs to push his players forward, urge them to play on the front foot and pile bodies up front in the look for a big win to end their league campaign with a bang.

Injury & Team News

Punjab FC will have a fully fit unit available for this game. East Bengal’s Prabhsukhan Gill and Souvik Chakrabarti meanwhile, will be suspended for this match. Nandhakumar Sekar will also be missing due to his long-term injury.

Head-to-Head

Matches Played – 1

Punjab FC wins – 0

East Bengal wins – 0

Draws – 1

Predicted Lineups

Punjab FC (4-3-3)

Ravi Kumar (GK), Khaiminthang Lhungdim, Melroy Assisi, Dimitrios Chatziisaias, Mohammed Salah, Nikhil Prabhu, Ricky Shabong, Ashis Pradhan, Madih Talal, Luka Majcen, Wilmar Jordan Gil

East Bengal (4-2-3-1)

Kamaljit Singh (GK), Mohamad Rakip, Aleksandar Pantic, Hijazi Maher, Nishu Kumar, Harmanjot Khabra, Saul Crespo, Naorem Mahesh Singh, PV Vishnu, Cleiton Silva, Sayan Banerjee

Players to Watch

Madih Talal (Punjab FC)

After agreeing to join East Bengal next season, Madih Talal is now poised to play against his future side. However, the 26-year-old is unlikely to lose his professionalism and will push to end a prolific ISL season strongly. Talal has been one of the ISL’s most dangerous and all-rounded foreign players, having scored five goals and delivered eight assists in 21 games for Punjab.

Talal will look to use his menacing style to torment the Red & Gold Brigade. He’ll look to create chances with his innovative passes and open up space for his teammates, as well as be decisive in the counter-attacks. Talal should also look to sneak into more goal-scoring areas to improve his ISL goal tally before the season is over and show East Bengal exactly what they’re going to get next season.

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)

Cleiton Silva turned into East Bengal’s hero in their big win over Bengaluru FC and is flying high on confidence. The Brazilian has been the Kolkata heavyweights’ biggest attacking threat in the ISL 2023-24, with 11 goal contributions (eight goals, three assists) in 20 appearances. Even though Cleiton realizes that even a win might not be enough for East Bengal to secure a place in the playoffs, he’ll at least want to end the campaign in dominant fashion.

The forward will look to move around the opposition half for linking up nice attacks and opening up the Punjab FC backline. He will, however, need to be at his ruthless best inside the box to finish off the chances created by his teammates – knowing how clinical East Bengal must be in order to secure a big win in this decisive clash.

Did you know?

• Madih Talal is currently leading the assists tally in the ISL, having picked up more assists than any other player.
• Prabhsukhan Gill is the first goalkeeper to serve out a one-match suspension in the ISL 2023-24 season after picking up the fourth yellow card of the campaign against Bengaluru FC.
• Punjab FC have been one of the most dangerous pressing sides in this ISL edition, having made the third most tackles (228) among all the teams.

Telecast

The Punjab FC vs East Bengal game kicks off at 7:30 PM (IST), at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi on April 10, 2024. The live telecast will be available on the Sports18 Network (Sports18 1/VH1 channel) and the live streaming of the game will be available on the JioCinema app. Viewers from abroad can use OneFootball to stream the game.

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