East Bengal vs Odisha: Preview and Prediction

sa
Time is running out for both teams

East Bengal and Odisha, two struggling sides who will be desperate to get a move on, will lock horns in ‘Match 84’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Monday.

East Bengal has had a season to forget and their current position in the standings speak volumes about their failures. With only 10 points from 15 matches, the Red and Golds are laboring at tenth position.

Odisha has had a slightly better season as compared to their opposition, but it still is far from satisfactory. The Kalinga Warriors have accumulated 18 points from 14 matches and are occupying the eighth position in the table.

Current Form

Neither East Bengal nor Odisha has been able to look convincing in their recent run of fixtures, as they are two of the five teams to have not won any of their last three matches. The Red and Golds have picked up a solitary point from those three fixtures.

It came in their last match against Chennaiyin, where a late Lalrinliana Hnamnte goal helped Mario Rivera’s team secure a 2-2 draw. Before facing the Marina Machans, the Kolkata-based outfit suffered two consecutive heavy defeats, a 3-1 loss against ATK Mohun Bagan, and a 4-0 drubbing against Hyderabad.

On the other hand, Odisha has gathered two points from their last three matches, courtesy of two draws. In their last match, Kino Garcia’s men played out a 1-1 stalemate against fellow strugglers Goa.

It was an important point nonetheless as the Kalinga Warriors came into that match on the back of a 3-2 defeat against Hyderabad. Before taking on the Nizams, Odisha held ATK Mohun Bagan to a goalless draw.

Head to Head Record

Odisha is slightly ahead on head-to-head records, having won two of the three matches against East Bengal, while the Red and Golds have emerged victorious on a single occasion.

The first meeting of this season produced a 6-4 thriller in Odisha’s favor. A brace from Hector Rodas and Aridai Cabrera and one goal each from Javi Hernandez and Isaac Vanlalruatfela comprised the Kalinga Warriors’ six goals, while for the Red and Golds, Daniel Chima Chukwu netted a brace, and Darren Sidoel and Thongkhosiem Haokip scored the other two goals.

Team News

We could see a return of the Jonathas-Aridai pairing

We could see a return of the Jonathas-Aridai pairing

Rivera is expected to make only one tweak to the East Bengal starting XI that miraculously rescued a point against Chennaiyin. Makeshift right-back Amarjit Singh Kiyam did not have his best of games as he was caught napping on multiple occasions.

He is likely to make way for Huidrom Naocha Singh, the young Manipuri right-back who has arrived on loan from Mumbai City, Left-back Hira Mondal also had a poor game, but given the fantastic season he has had so far, it seems certain that he will retain his place in the team.

Garcia might consider making four changes to his team after a rather frustrating draw against Goa. One of those changes looks set on stone – Thoiba Singh has picked up four yellow cards and is suspended for a game and Paul Ramfangzuava is the perfect replacement.

The Spanish tactician can also change his full-backs, replacing Lalhrezuala Sailung and Sahil Panwar for Hendry Antonay and Lalruatthara respectively. Jonathas could also feature in the starting XI and lead the lines with Hernandez operating from a number 10 position in Liridon Krasniqi’s place.

Predicted Starting Lineups

East Bengal (4-4-2): Arindam Bhattacharja; Huidrom Naocha Singh, Franjo Prce, Adil Khan, Hira Mondal; Naorem Singh, Darren Sidoel, Sourav Das, Wahengbam Luwang; Marcelo Ribeiro, Antonio Perosevic.

Odisha (4-2-3-1): Arshdeep Singh; Hendry Antonay, Gaurav Bora, Victor Mongil, Lalruatthara; Paul Ramfangzuava, Isaac Vanmalsawma; Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Javi Hernandez; Aridai Cabrera, Jonathas.

Prediction

Though both teams have been poor in their recent fixtures, Odisha looks slightly more formidable on paper. Hence, we have predicted a 2-1 win in the Kalinga Warriors’ favor.