East Bengal vs Punjab: A crucial clash awaits as East Bengal and Punjab FC square off in the Indian Super League. Both teams have much to prove, with East Bengal struggling to find form and Punjab FC aiming to secure a higher spot in the standings.
Head-to-Head
- Matches Played: 8
- East Bengal Wins: 2
- Punjab FC Wins: 2
- Draws: 4
- Last Meeting: Punjab FC 4-1 East Bengal (April 2024)
Last 5 Meetings
- April 10, 2024: Punjab FC 4-1 East Bengal
- December 9, 2023: East Bengal 0-0 Punjab FC
- February 13, 2020: East Bengal 1-1 Punjab FC
- December 7, 2019: Punjab FC 1-1 East Bengal
- March 3, 2019: Punjab FC 0-1 East Bengal
ISL Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Punjab FC | 10 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 17:11 | 18 |
| 11 | East Bengal | 10 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 8:14 | 7 |
East Bengal vs Punjab Lineups
East Bengal (4-5-1)
- Goalkeeper: Prabhsukhan Gill
- Defenders: Mohammad Rakip, Anwar Ali, Maher Hijazi, Lalchungnunga
- Midfielders: Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sauvik Chakrabarti, Jeakson Thounaojam, Mahdi Talal, Vishnu Puthiya
- Forward: Cleiton Silva
Punjab FC (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Muheet Shabir
- Defenders: Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Ivan Novoselec, Nongmaikapam Meitei, Leon Asokan
- Midfielders: Filip Mrzljak, Ricky Shabong, Nihal Sudeesh
- Forwards: Luka Majcen, Ezequiel Vidal, Nikhil Prabhu
10 Key Stats
- East Bengal has not lost at home to Punjab FC in their last 3 encounters.
- Punjab FC’s last away win against East Bengal came in 2018.
- East Bengal has received a league-high 6 red cards this season.
- Punjab FC scores 31% of their goals between minutes 76-90.
- East Bengal has failed to score in 2 of their 5 home games this season.
- Punjab FC has scored at least once in their last 6 matches.
- Average goals per match in this fixture: 2.0.
- East Bengal’s clean sheet streak: 3 matches in a row.
- Punjab FC’s best performance this season: 6 wins in 10 matches.
- Cleiton Silva remains East Bengal’s top scorer but has lacked consistent support.
East Bengal vs Punjab Prediction
East Bengal’s poor form and defensive lapses give Punjab FC the upper hand. However, home advantage and a recent defensive improvement may help East Bengal snatch a point.
SWOT Analysis: East Bengal vs. Punjab FC
East Bengal
Strengths
- Home Advantage: Playing at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan provides crowd support and familiarity.
- Cleiton Silva’s Experience: A proven goal scorer, Silva remains a key figure in attack despite limited support.
- Improved Defense: Recent clean sheets indicate a defensive resurgence.
Weaknesses
- Poor Form: With just 2 wins in 10 matches, East Bengal has struggled to find consistency.
- Discipline Issues: A league-high 6 red cards have frequently left the team vulnerable.
- Inconsistent Attack: Only 8 goals scored this season, the second-lowest in the league.
Opportunities
- Facing Punjab’s Defensive Gaps: Punjab has conceded 11 goals in 10 matches, presenting opportunities for East Bengal’s attackers.
- Exploiting Late Goals: Punjab FC tends to score late, but East Bengal’s defense can capitalize by maintaining focus during the final minutes.
Threats
- Punjab’s Offensive Prowess: With Luka Majcen and Ezequiel Vidal in form, Punjab can capitalize on any defensive lapses.
- Injuries and Depth: A thin squad depth puts East Bengal at risk if injuries occur during the game.
Punjab FC
Strengths
- High-Scoring Attack: Punjab has scored 17 goals this season, driven by Majcen and Vidal’s consistency.
- Resilient Performances: Six wins in 10 matches highlight Punjab’s ability to grind out results.
- Clinical in Key Moments: Scoring 31% of their goals between minutes 76-90 shows their ability to finish strong.
Weaknesses
- Away Form: Inconsistent performances away from home have led to dropped points.
- Defensive Frailty: Conceding 11 goals reveals vulnerabilities at the back.
- Reliance on Key Players: Over-reliance on Majcen and Vidal makes the attack predictable if they are marked out.
Opportunities
- Targeting East Bengal’s Discipline Issues: With East Bengal prone to red cards, Punjab can exploit numerical advantages.
- Midfield Dominance: Exploiting East Bengal’s weaker midfield with high pressing could create scoring chances.
Threats
- East Bengal’s Recent Defensive Form: A string of clean sheets shows East Bengal’s defensive organization is improving.
- Fatigue from Travel: Away fixtures and the Kolkata humidity could wear down Punjab FC’s players.
Predicted Score: East Bengal 1-1 Punjab FC
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