Injury-Hit East Bengal FC Aim to Bounce Back Against Punjab FC
The Indian Super League is heating up as East Bengal FC prepares to face Punjab FC in the opening game of Matchweek 13. Despite their injury troubles, the Red and Gold Brigade will be looking for a strong comeback on their home turf.
East Bengal FC is yet to register a victory against Punjab FC in the ISL, having drawn one and lost one in their two previous encounters. This fixture presents a golden opportunity for them to change the narrative and take home all three points.
East Bengal FC: A Quest for a Turnaround
The team has shown signs of improvement after a shaky start to the season. Under head coach Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal FC has secured seven points in their last five matches. However, they are still struggling at the bottom end of the table, currently sitting in 11th place.
Key Stats:
East Bengal FC’s last game ended in a 2-1 defeat to Odisha FC.
They are 11 points behind sixth-placed Jamshedpur FC (18 points).
Oscar Bruzon is close to achieving a managerial milestone. A win would surpass Carles Cuadrat’s record of 8 points in his first 7 games, making Bruzon the best-starting tactician in East Bengal FC's ISL history.
Areas to Watch:
East Bengal FC has adopted a cautious start in games. They have not scored a single goal in the opening 15 minutes of any match this season but have conceded just once in the same period.
A strong defensive performance will be critical to counter Punjab FC's lethal attack.
Punjab FC: Consistency and a Steady Rise
On the other side, Punjab FC has enjoyed a solid season so far. Sitting comfortably in 5th place with 18 points from 10 games, they have emerged as a competitive force. However, the Shers will look to recover after losing three of their last five matches.
Strengths:
Punjab FC is currently on a 6-match goal-scoring streak, the longest in their ISL history.
Their goal difference of +6 is joint-third best in the league.
Striker Luka Majcen remains the key player, with 18 goal contributions (13 goals, 5 assists) this season. He is just 2 goal contributions away from reaching the 20-mark milestone.
Defensive Concerns:
While Punjab FC’s attacking form has been impressive, their defense has been inconsistent. They have kept only 1 clean sheet in their last 6 away games.
Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 2
Wins: East Bengal FC (0) | Punjab FC (1)
Draws: 1
East Bengal FC will be hungry to secure their first win against Punjab FC in this much-anticipated matchup.
Coaches Speak
Oscar Bruzon, East Bengal FC Head Coach:
“Punjab FC are looking very consistent. They are tactically very good and are very strong in transitions. They rarely lose balance at the back.”
Panagiotis Dilmperis, Punjab FC Head Coach:
“Our development is very natural because the team works with discipline under a certain structure. Our culture ensures steady improvement every year.”
Key Players to Watch
East Bengal FC:
Naorem Mahesh Singh: One assist away from becoming the first East Bengal player to register 10 assists in ISL history.
Nandhakumar Sekar: Despite 15 shots, he is yet to score this season and will aim to break his goalless streak.
Anwar Ali: The defender has earned 44 ISL Fantasy Points, the highest for East Bengal FC this season.
Punjab FC:
Luka Majcen: Closing in on the 20-goal contribution mark with an impressive record of contributing every 59.9 minutes.
Filip Mrzljak: Boasts the highest shooting accuracy (63.2%) among players with at least 15 shots this season.
Nikhil Prabhu: Top ISL Fantasy scorer for Punjab FC with 53 points.
Match Details
Match: East Bengal FC vs Punjab FC
Date: December 16, 2024
Streaming: Live on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam)
Telecast: Sports 18 channels, Asianet Plus, and Star Sports 3
Final Word
Both teams have a point to prove in this clash. For East Bengal FC, it is about redemption and closing the gap on the top six. Punjab FC, on the other hand, will want to bounce back and maintain their stronghold in the top half of the table. With key players in form and exciting stats to back them, this promises to be a thrilling encounter for ISL fans!
Who will emerge victorious? Tune in to catch all the action live!
Reference from:-https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/preview-injury-hit-east-bengal-fc-aim-to-bounce-back-against-punjab-fc