Preview: SC East Bengal, NorthEast United clash to avoid tablespoon

The Highlanders have won each of their three meetings against the Red and Golds in ISL.

Two teams reeling from a disappointing season will cross swords looking to avoid a bottom-placed finish, in the Indian Super League at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Monday. A game of academic interest for the neutral, SC East Bengal and NorthEast United will know that this game is a virtual shootout for them in order to stave off a rock-bottom finish.

SC East Bengal are 11th with 10 points from 18 games while NorthEast United have only one match to play, having 13 points. If the red and golds beat NorthEast United and Bengaluru FC in their remaining two encounters, they will finish on 16 points but a win for NorthEast on Monday will ensure them a 10th spot finish.

It has been a season to forget for both outfits, SC East Bengal managing just one win so far while NorthEast United have three victories to show for.

The Stakes

SC East Bengal

"This match is crucial because if we win, we will leapfrog them in the league table. We are playing well, but we want that to reflect in the match result too," said SC East Bengal head coach Mario Rivera ahead of the tie.

"Our approach in the last two matches will be the same as the previous matches: to win. We will do everything we can to get three points," the Spaniard added.

The Kolkata side will miss the services of Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Jackichand Singh with the duo being injured. "Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Jackichand Singh are out of contention for this game with injuries," said Rivera.

NorthEast United

For the Highlanders, it will be about finishing the season on a high and with Marcelinho looking in good touch, Khalid Jamil will be hopeful they can achieve their goal. Marcelinho had been putting up impressive performances for NEUFC, but he finally got his first goal for the club in their loss to Jamshedpur FC.

"It's important to finish with a win. For us and the fans and show for next season. We are working in that aspect and to finish with good feelings," said goalkeeping coach Asier Rey.

"We have all the players ready and we will see today in training," he added when asked about injury concerns in the team. The last time they met, NorthEast United ran out 2-0 winners.

Team News

SC East Bengal: Apart from Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Jackichand Singh, most of the squad will be available for selection.

NorthEast United FC: There are no injury concerns in the NEUFC camp.

Head-to-Head

NorthEast United and SC East Bengal have met only thrice in ISL history and the Highlanders have won each of those three encounters. The last of them came earlier this season, where Khalid Jamil's side beat SC East Bengal 2-0 in a lop-sided clash. The Highlanders have also scored two goals in each of those three wins and kept two clean-sheets as well. The Red and Golds have managed to find the net only once.

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Probable Lineups

SC East Bengal: Sankar Roy (GK); Hira Mondal, Joyner Lourenco, Franjo Prce, Naocha Singh; Darren Sidoel, Sourav Das, Lalrinliana Hnamte; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Mohammed Rafique, Marcelo Ribeiro.

NorthEast United FC: Mirshad Michu (GK); Joe Zoherliana, Zakaria Diallo, Mashoor Shereef, Provat Lakra; Pragyan Gogoi, Imran Khan, Sehnaj Singh; Marco Sahanek, Deshorn Brown (C), Marcelinho.

Did you Know?

• NorthEast United have scored six and conceded just one against SC East Bengal.

• SC East Bengal have failed to win every time they have faced NEUFC in the ISL (three times).

• VP Suhair has three goal contributions in three games against SC East Bengal.

Telecast

The match between SC East Bengal and NorthEast United will be played at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Monday (February 28). It is slated to kick-off at 07:30 pm IST. Star Sports Network holds the telecast rights, while Disney+Hotstar and JIO TV will be live streaming the match.

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