Preview: Can SC East Bengal hurt Hyderabad FC's playoffs chances?

The fixture will have huge implications on the race for top four.

The upcoming fixture of the Indian Super League will see SC East Bengal and Hyderabad FC face-off against each other on Friday. The two outfits will come into the game with different ambitions and goals to achieve.

While Hyderabad FC are involved in a neck-to-neck race for the playoffs positions, East Bengal could play party-spoilers with a point to prove themselves. They still have an outside chance of making it to the playoffs, if they win their remaining four matches. The result will have huge consequences for either side, who cannot afford to lose the game at any cost.

The Stakes

The Red and Gold are not yet mathematically out of contention from securing a playoffs spot. While realistically it might be too big of a challenge, they still have a lot to play for. The team have given a good account of themselves in their maiden season in the ISL and will look to turn their draws into victories.

Last game’s result where they defeated Jamshedpur FC 2-1 will encourage the players to give it their all and perhaps create a fairy-tale story.

One of the surprise packages of the season, Hyderabad FC are looking really strong coming into this fixture. They have secured Manolo Marquez’s services for the foreseeable future, after the Spaniard signed a two-year extension with the club.

The tactician deserved the extension, as his work with India’s young talent and brave tactics have put HFC in a great position to secure playoffs qualification. In order to get ahead of FC Goa and NorthEast United in the race for top four, the Nizams must not drop points again.

Team News

In Robbie Fowler’s absence, Tony Grant employed a 3-1-4-2 formation that enabled the side to play on the front foot. One can expect the same lineup to be featured from the last fixture against JFC, with Subrata Paul retaining his place between the sticks. No other major injuries to report as of yet.

Manolo Marquez surprisingly started Liston Colaco on the bench, but the winger could regain his place in the starting lineup come next fixture. The Spaniard also confirmed the availability of Joel Chianese, who is fit enough to start against SCEB. 

Head-to-Head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCm46LUdom0

The two outfits have only met once before in the ISL since SCEB’s inclusion in the competition. The reverse fixture resulted in a 3-2 victory for the Nizams back in December 2020.

Probable Lineups

SC East Bengal: Paul (GK); Fox, Golui, Gaikwad; Steinmann, Mukherjee, Narayan, Maghoma, Sourav; Enobakhare, Pilkington.

Hyderabad FC: Kattimani (GK); Rai, Onaindia, Chinglensana, Mishra; Colaco, Victor, Chianese, Narzary; Sandaza, Aridane. 

Man to Watch

Matti Steinmann (SC East Bengal)

One of East Bengal’s most consistent performers this season has been Matti Steinmann. The German was adjudged Hero of the Match against Jamshedpur FC, where he opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a great header. A holding midfielder by trade, Steinmann has contributed with four goals and three assists in his debut ISL season.

The midfielder has a great eye for intercepting passes, tackles with accuracy and has a pass success rate of 74.31%. The opposition must contain Steinmann from influencing the game and look out for his late runs into the penalty area.

Asish Rai (Hyderabad FC)

Asish Rai has been a revelation this term. Despite his potential which was well-known, the full-back has matured this season under pressure. His industry on the right flank has been notable, with the player making lung-bursting runs on a frequent basis.

In the game against NEUFC, he created a good chance and had a shot on target as well. On top of that, he’s been faultless in his defensive duties, playing a major part in his team’s clean-sheet against the Highlanders. He continues to be central to HFC’s wing-play.

Did You Know?

• SC East Bengal’s Subrata Paul has the highest number of saves in the ISL at 264 in 92 fixtures. 
• SC East Bengal have taken the least number of shots in the competition (147). 
• Asish Rai (694) and Akash Mishra (692) are second and third respectively among Indian players with most number of passes during the campaign after 16 fixtures. 

Telecast

The match between SC East Bengal and Hyderabad FC is set to be telecast live on Star Sports 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 2 SD & HD (English), Star Sports Hindi 1 SD & HD, Star Sports 3, Star Gold 2 (Hindi), Asianet Plus (Malayalam), and Star Sports regional channels (in Bangla, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Marathi). It will also be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar VIP and Premium and Jio TV.