Mohun Bagan will take on their arch-rivals East Bengal in an exciting Kolkata derby at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati, in the Indian Super League (ISL) on Saturday, 11 January.
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Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Match Preview
The Mariners are determined to continue their dominant run, having triumphed in eight of their nine ISL meetings against East Bengal, with the Red and Gold Brigade still searching for their first league victory over Mohun Bagan. East Bengal FC has struggled to find the net in this fixture, scoring just five goals and averaging 0.56 goals per match, which is their second-lowest against any team they’ve faced multiple times in the competition. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins in their last five matches, leaving them in 11th place on the table.
On the other hand, Mohun Bagan Super Giant are in a commanding position at the top of the league, having netted 22 goals against East Bengal FC. Their attacking force, featuring Dimitrios Petratos, Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren, and Jason Cummings, has been formidable, averaging 2.4 goals per game in this derby—second only to their performance against another opponent. Defensively, they have been impressive too, conceding only five goals to East Bengal, the fewest against any team they’ve faced more than once.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant boasts a passing accuracy of 79.2% against East Bengal FC in the ISL, their second-best performance against any team, just behind the 82.5% achieved against Punjab FC. East Bengal FC will need to find a way to disrupt the Mariners’ fluid passing game to prevent them from controlling the match.
In the current ISL season, Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco have registered the most and second-most touches in the opposition box among Indian players, with 58 and 57 touches, respectively.
The Mariners are aiming for their fourth league double over East Bengal FC in the ISL. This feat has only been matched by their success against NEUFC, where they secured three league doubles in the 2021-22, 2023-24, and 2024-25 seasons. Mohun Bagan Super Giant has scored in all nine of their ISL encounters with East Bengal FC.
With both sides eager for crucial points, Mohun Bagan Super Giant will aim to preserve their unbeaten run, while East Bengal FC seeks to end their rivals’ dominance and secure a much-needed win. A victory would not only enhance the Mariners’ claim to the ISL league shield but also provide a significant morale boost, as their title contenders have faltered in recent weeks. Jose Molina will be urging his team to push forward with attacking intent and quick transitions, ensuring they maintain their momentum throughout the season.
Although the derby isn’t being played in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan are still committed to delivering an exciting performance for their supporters. A win is essential for bragging rights, while a loss could jeopardize their momentum and derail their title ambitions.
“We need to perform well tomorrow.” Mohun Bagan Super Giant head coach Jose Molina downplayed his team’s strong record against East Bengal FC in the ISL
“What we did in the ISL so far doesn’t matter in tomorrow’s game. We need to perform well, defeat them in the 90 minutes tomorrow on the pitch,” he stated.
For East Bengal, coming off a two-match winless streak, Oscar Bruzon will demand a more resolute defensive display, eliminating errors that have plagued them recently. He’ll also look for a more aggressive approach with high pressing and improved finishing in the attacking third. A victory in the derby could not only lift East Bengal’s spirits but also propel them back into the race for a top-six finish. Conversely, another defeat could virtually end their playoff hopes.
East Bengal FC will likely rely on the individual flair of their standout players to make a difference in the derby. With a dribble success rate of 56.5% against the Mariners, their second-highest against any opponent (after Mumbai City FC at 57.7%), they will be looking for players who can break through Mohun Bagan’s defense and create opportunities.
In the current ISL season, Vishnu Puthiya of East Bengal FC is the third Indian player with most in the opposition box with 55 touches .
East Bengal FC has scored the third-fewest goals (16) in the ISL 2024-25, prompting them to bolster their attack with the signing of Venezuelan striker Richard Celis until the end of the season. The 28-year-old, who has played for clubs like Atletico Venezuela CF, Deportivo JBL, Caracas FC, and Academia Puerto Cabello, can operate centrally or on the left wing, potentially compensating for the absence of attacking midfielder Madih Talal. It remains to be seen if Celis will feature in this match.
“We need to optimise our resources.” East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon expressed his belief in his players’ ability to perform well in the Kolkata Derby.
“We have to optimise the resources that are available to us and we have full confidence in the players who will take the field to play in the Kolkata Derby,” he remarked.
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Head-to-Head
Mohun Bagan Super Giant have emerged victorious in eight of the nine ISL encounters between the two sides, with one match ending in a draw.
- Total Matches Played – 398
- Mohun Bagan wins – 130
- East Bengal wins – 141
- Draws – 127
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Key Players to Watch
Dimitrios Petratos (Mohun Bagan)
Dimitrios Petratos of Mohun Bagan Super Giant has netted four goals in this fixture, the most by any player in the history of this rivalry in the ISL. A goal in this match would make it his highest goal tally against any opponent in the competition.
Jamie Maclaren (Mohun Bagan)
Jamie Maclaren has established himself as a ‘big game player’ for Mohun Bagan this season, scoring in both Kolkata derbies so far. The Australian forward has been a consistent and unpredictable threat for the Mariners, showcasing his ability as a lethal ‘box striker’ who capitalizes on the best opportunities in the final third.
Jeakson Singh (East Bengal)
East Bengal FC midfielder Jeakson Singh has scored twice this season while maintaining an average of 21 passes per game with 80% accuracy. His contributions include winning 18 duels, making 39 recoveries, and registering 10 interceptions, showcasing his impact on both ends of the pitch.
Dimitrios Diamantakos (East Bengal)
Dimitrios Diamantakos of East Bengal FC has found the net in three of his five encounters with Mohun Bagan Super Giant, totaling four goals. This season, the forward has scored three times and provided one assist.
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Team News and Predicted Lineups
Mohun Bagan – Team News
The Mariners will be without Anirudh Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan due to injury concerns for this match.
Mohun Bagan – Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper – Vishal Kaith
- Defenders – Asish Rai, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose
- Midfielders – Lalengmawia Ralte, Sahal Abdul Samad, Greg Stewart
- Forwards – Manvir Singh, Liston Colaco, Jamie Maclaren
East Bengal Team News
The Torchbearers remain without midfielder Saul Crespo, who is still recovering from an injury. There are also concerns regarding Mohamad Rakip’s fitness, although Anwar Ali is expected to be fit for the match.
East Bengal – Predicted Lineup (4-4-1-1)
- 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
Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal: Match Prediction
As the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC approaches, the Mariners are the favorites to secure a win. Mohun Bagan has dominated this fixture in the ISL, winning eight out of their nine encounters with East Bengal, and they boast a potent attack led by the likes of Dimitrios Petratos and Jamie Maclaren. Despite being without key players like Anirudh Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan, Mohun Bagan’s offensive strength and solid defense make them a formidable force.
On the other hand, East Bengal FC, struggling with injuries and inconsistency this season, will face an uphill battle. While they have some potential match-winners like Vishnu Puthiya and the newly signed Richard Celis, their overall form has been underwhelming. Given Mohun Bagan’s superior record, attacking prowess, and strong defensive setup, they are likely to emerge victorious.
Prediction: Mohun Bagan 2-1 East Bengal
When and Where to Watch the Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal Match? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will be held at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday, 11 January, with a 7:30 PM IST kick-off. The match will be broadcast live on Sports 18 and streamed on JioCinema. International audiences can view the match on the OneFootball app.
Read More: ISL 2024/25: East Bengal FC Strengthen Attack with The Signing of Richard Celis
FAQs
When is the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal?
The Kolkata Derby will take place on Saturday, 11 January, 2025 at 7:30 PM IST at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
Where can I watch the Kolkata Derby live?
The match will be broadcast live on Sports 18 and streamed on JioCinema. International viewers can watch it on the OneFootball app.
Who are the top goal-scorers in the Kolkata Derby?
Dimitrios Petratos leads Mohun Bagan with four goals in the derby, while Jamie Maclaren has been a key ‘big game player’ for the Mariners this season.
What is Mohun Bagan’s record against East Bengal in the ISL?
Mohun Bagan Super Giant has won eight out of nine encounters against East Bengal in the ISL, with one match ending in a draw.
Which players are unavailable for the Kolkata Derby?
Mohun Bagan will miss Anirudh Thapa and Ashique Kuruniyan due to injuries, while East Bengal will be without Saul Crespo and possibly Mohamad Rakip.
