ISL Derby 2024: Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal – Who Holds the Advantage?
The much-anticipated Indian Super League (ISL) Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal is set to take place on October 19, 2024. Historically, Mohun Bagan has often been favored in these encounters due to their stronger squad, better form, or superior coaching. However, this time, neither team is in top form, and the match could be more evenly balanced than expected.
Team Performance Leading Up to the Derby
Mohun Bagan currently sits in 4th place on the ISL table with seven points from four matches, while East Bengal finds themselves at the bottom with no points after losing all their games so far. Despite their underwhelming form, East Bengal might see this as an opportunity to turn things around in the biggest match of the season. The question is, can they pull off an upset?
Predicted Starting Lineups
Assuming both teams adopt a 4-4-2 formation, here are the likely starting XIs:
- Mohun Bagan: Vishal Kaith, Ashish Rai, Tom Aldred, Alberto Rodriguez, Subhasish Bose, Greg Stewart, Anirudh Thapa, Apuia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh, Jamie Maclaren.
- East Bengal: Prabhsukhan Gill, Prabir Das, Anwar Ali, Hector Yuste, Lalchungnunga, Saul Crespo, Madiha Talal, Souvik Chakraborty, Nandhakumar Sekar, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Cleiton Silva.
Key Matchups to Watch
- Vishal Kaith vs. Prabhsukhan Gill
Mohun Bagan’s Vishal Kaith has been in excellent form, especially since the Durand Cup, while East Bengal’s Prabhsukhan Gill has struggled this season. This could give Mohun Bagan a significant edge in goalkeeping. - Liston Colaco vs. Lalchungnunga
Mohun Bagan’s Liston Colaco is known for his cutting inside and creating scoring opportunities. East Bengal’s Lalchungnunga has been inconsistent, and if he doesn’t perform well in the derby, Liston could dominate this matchup. - Jamie Maclaren vs. Hector Yuste
Maclaren’s pace and sharp movement could trouble Yuste, who has been strong defensively but may struggle to match Maclaren’s speed. Mohun Bagan could have the upper hand here. - Cleiton Silva vs. Alberto Rodriguez
Despite his age, Cleiton Silva remains a formidable forward for East Bengal. He has a history of performing well in big matches, and if he brings his best, he could outclass Mohun Bagan’s Alberto Rodriguez. - Greg Stewart vs. Prabir Das
Mohun Bagan’s playmaker Greg Stewart will be key to controlling the midfield. Prabir Das will need to be at his best to stop Stewart from pulling the strings in the game.
Areas of Strength for Each Team
- Mohun Bagan’s Strengths:
Mohun Bagan’s defense, anchored by Vishal Kaith in goal and their experienced backline, is stronger than East Bengal’s. Their midfield is also more balanced, with Greg Stewart and Apuia capable of creating and finishing chances. - East Bengal’s Strengths:
East Bengal’s biggest asset could be Cleiton Silva’s ability to score in crucial matches. If Silva gets good support from midfield, particularly from Madiha Talal, East Bengal could exploit Mohun Bagan’s occasional defensive lapses.
The Verdict: Who Has the Edge?
While Mohun Bagan has been inconsistent this season, their squad depth and individual talent give them the edge going into the derby. East Bengal, on the other hand, will need to significantly improve their defensive organization and take advantage of any opportunities in attack. Based on recent performances and player matchups, Mohun Bagan appears to have the upper hand.
However, the Kolkata Derby is unpredictable, and East Bengal could still turn things around if their key players step up.
The upcoming Kolkata Derby will test the resilience and tactics of both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. While Mohun Bagan goes in as the favorite, East Bengal might use this stage to redeem their season. Fans can expect an intense and competitive game.
