Indian Super League: Matchday 1
Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru
14th September 2024
Bengaluru FC draws with East Bengal FC on the first day of Indian Super League in Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. Bengaluru would be eyeing a good start to the season. Who will win when the clock ticks 90?
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One of the most challenging seasons for Bengaluru FC ended in an utterly bleak 10th place position in the 2023-24 ISL. However, the summer transfer window has been partially redeemed with some key signings: Jorge Pereyra Díaz and Alberto Noguera will be key ones to help shore up both the attacking and midfield zones of the side. The signings should do the trick and get them off to a better campaign this season.
Their recent performance in Durand Cup was promising by reaching semi-finals before they lost on penalty shootout to Mohun Bagan. This fight-first sort of display under new management shows that Bengaluru FC might be returning from the doldrums after the miserably failed campaign last season.
Predicted Lineup of Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Rahul Bheke, Aleksandar Jovanović, Chinglensana Singh, Naorem Roshan Singh; Suresh Singh Wangjam, Pedro Capó, Alberto Noguera; Halicharan Narzary, Sunil Chhetri, Jorge Pereyra Díaz
Recent Form of East Bengal FC
East Bengal have not been spared their own dose of hardship times either, having finished 9th in the ISL thrice in the past four years. What they need is a turnaround this season, and that's exactly what they have in their mind with key signings like Dimitrios Diamantakos and Héctor Yuste. Their Durand Cup campaign ended in a quarterfinal loss to I-League side Shillong Lajong, who they meet this time.
Head-to-head, East Bengal carries a narrow advantage since they have taken 3 out of their last 5 encounters with Bengaluru FC without losing any at all. In these such tight matches, East Bengal has scored 6 goals, whereas Bengaluru has scored 5. So, the next clash between them is all set to be a very close match.
Both teams are eager to come back and this is going to be a thriller of a match.
East Bengal FC Predicted Lineup
Prabhsukhan Singh Gill; Lalchungnunga, Héctor Yuste, Hijazi Maher, Mandar Rao Dessai; Saúl Crespo, Jeakson Singh Thounaojam; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Cleiton Silva, Nandhakumar Sekar; Dimitrios Diamantakos
Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal FC Expert Tips
In the Bengaluru vs. East Bengal match prediction, backing Bengaluru FC for a home win seems to be an excellent gamble. From the side of Bengaluru, the home team looks to be at their best because East Bengal has a bad record while playing outside their own ground. Bengaluru has depicted impressive skills throughout the Durand Cup, which goes in favor of the home team. On the other hand, East Bengal has displayed considerable weakness-in particularly during away matches.
Summer signings and tactical tweaks by new management might speak to three points earned in this opener for Bengaluru as well. There's a lot of motivation to rebound from the rather disappointing 2023-24 season of Bengaluru FC. This determination might just be the edge what is being expected of a closely fought contest in what is likely to be played.