East Bengal aim to kickstart 2025 on a high note as they prepare to host Mumbai City FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) showdown on Monday, January 6. The match is set to take place at 7:30 PM IST at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.
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East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC: Match Preview
The Red & Gold Brigade are eager to secure three points ahead of the Kolkata derby, while the Islanders seek to bounce back and climb into the top six. A victory for East Bengal would mark only their second win against Mumbai City in ISL history. Conversely, the visitors aim to recover from a 0-3 defeat to NorthEast United FC, which ended their four-match unbeaten streak.
East Bengal enter the game in solid attacking form, having scored in each of their last six league matches. Another goal in this fixture would equal their longest-ever scoring streak in the competition. Meanwhile, Mumbai City have excelled defensively away from home, keeping consecutive clean sheets in their last two road games. Securing a third straight clean sheet would equal their best-ever streak in ISL history.
Statistically, the Islanders dominate possession and passing metrics, leading the league with an average of 8.2 sequences of 10+ passes per game and completing 3.4 passes per sequence. However, their recent drop in form has seen them slip to seventh place on the table with 20 points from 13 matches. East Bengal, currently 11th, have accumulated 14 points from the same number of games.
Hijazi Maher has been a defensive stalwart, leading the competition in December 2024 with 31 clearances. His dominance in the air and calmness under pressure will be crucial in neutralizing Mumbai’s lively attackers.
East Bengal FC have shown strong defensive discipline, particularly in the first halves of matches, conceding just eight goals this season—a testament to their strategy of wearing down opponents early.
Under Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal have shown noticeable improvement, especially at home, and they will aim to deliver another big performance on their turf, having previously defeated NorthEast United this season. A win would not only keep their playoff hopes alive but also provide a confidence boost ahead of the derby. A loss, however, could deflate their morale before the crucial clash.
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon shared an optimistic outlook on his team’s recent performances. “We had a good end to the year. December gave us the desired results. So obviously, our confidence is high coming into this match,” he said.
For Mumbai City, consistency has been elusive in their 2024-25 campaign. The loss to NorthEast United was a wake-up call for Petr Kratky’s team, who need a strong second-half resurgence to regain momentum. The coach will push his side to capitalize on East Bengal’s occasional struggles in high-pressure matches.
The Islanders will likely adopt an aggressive approach in Kolkata, seeking to secure maximum points. A win could energize their campaign, but failure to achieve a positive result might deepen the growing unease within the squad.
Another clean sheet on the road would see Mumbai City FC achieve only their second-ever streak of three consecutive away shutouts in their history.
The Islanders excel in ball control, with centre-backs Mehtab Singh and Tiri playing pivotal roles. Together, they contribute 23.8% of the team’s total touches, highlighting their crucial involvement in building play from the back.
Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky shared his expectations for his team’s approach in the upcoming match. “We have to be energised from the first minute. The intensity needs to be there, and we have to learn from our mistakes for tomorrow’s game,” he said.
East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC: Head-to-Head
East Bengal FC and Mumbai City FC have clashed eight times in the ISL, with the Islanders claiming victory in five matches. The Red and Gold Brigade have managed just one win, while two games ended in stalemates.
- Matches Played – 8
- East Bengal wins – 1
- Mumbai City wins – 5
- Draws – 2
East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC: Key Players to Watch
Cleiton Silva (East Bengal)
Cleiton Silva has shown noticeable improvement in recent weeks for East Bengal, thriving alongside Dimitrios Diamantakos in the attacking line. However, despite his strong performances, the 37-year-old has managed just one assist in 13 league appearances this season, indicating a need for significant improvement.
Jeakson Singh (East Bengal)
East Bengal FC midfielder Jeakson Singh has scored twice this season while maintaining an average of 20 passes per game with 79% accuracy. His contributions include winning 17 duels, making 34 recoveries, and registering eight interceptions, showcasing his impact on both ends of the pitch.
Brandon Fernandes (Mumbai City FC)
Brandon Fernandes has faced a challenging start to his Mumbai City career, with no goal contributions in 10 appearances to date. The 30-year-old has struggled to find his rhythm at his new club but will be looking to turn things around in the second half of the 2024-25 season. With his talent, Fernandes has the potential to trouble East Bengal and break down their solid defensive setup.
Nikolaos Karelis (Mumbai City FC)
Nikolaos Karelis has been a key player for the Islanders this season, netting six goals, including four crucial opening strikes that have helped his team establish control early in matches.
East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC: Team News and Predicted Lineups
East Bengal – Team News
Saul Crespo is uncertain for the match due to injury, along with Mohammad Rakip. Meanwhile, Madih Talal has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
East Bengal – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper – Prabhsukhan Gill
- Defenders – Provat Lakra, Hector Yuste, Hijazi Maher, Lalchhungnunga
- Midfielders – Anwar Ali, Jeakson Singh, Cleiton Silva
- Forwards – Nandhakumar Sekar, PV Vishnu, Dimitrios Diamantakos
Mumbai City FC – Team News
Akash Mishra and Ayush Chhikara have been ruled out for the Islanders.
Mumbai City FC – Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper – TP Rehenesh
- Defenders – Hmingthanmawia Ralte, Mehtab Singh, Tiri, Nathan Rodrigues
- Midfielders – Yoell van Nieff, Jayesh Rane, Brandon Fernandes
- Forwards – Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Nikos Karelis
East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC: Match Prediction
East Bengal and Mumbai City are preparing for a tactical battle, with both teams showcasing strong defenses but facing difficulties in attack. If their defensive strengths dominate, fans may witness a tense, low-scoring affair on Monday. This trend is evident in their last seven meetings, where tight scorelines of 1-0 or 0-0 have been the norm, with only one exception. Given the current form, a goalless draw seems the most probable outcome, although East Bengal is favored to come out on top.
Prediction: East Bengal 1-0 Mumbai City FC
When and Where to Watch the East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC Match? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC match is scheduled for January 6 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, with a 7:30 PM IST kickoff.
The game will be broadcast live on the Sports 18 Network and streamed on JioCinema. International viewers can watch the action on the OneFootball app.
Read More: ISL 2024-25: East Bengal Midfielder Madih Talal Sidelined for Rest of The Season
FAQs
When is the East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC match?
The match is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.
Where can I watch the East Bengal vs Mumbai City FC game live?
The match will be broadcast live on the Sports 18 Network and streamed on JioCinema. International viewers can watch it on the OneFootball app.
What is the head-to-head record between East Bengal and Mumbai City FC?
In their eight ISL encounters, Mumbai City FC has won five times, East Bengal once, with two matches ending in draws.
Who are the key players to watch in this match?
For East Bengal, Jeakson Singh and Cleiton Silva are crucial, while Mumbai City’s Nikolaos Karelis and Brandon Fernandes will play pivotal roles.
What is the predicted outcome of the match?
A tight, low-scoring affair is expected, with East Bengal favored to win 1-0, based on recent trends.
