East Bengal FC vs Hyderabad FC Prediction: East Bengal beat Hyderabad in ISL

East Bengal FC will go against Hyderabad FC in Game 1 of the Kalinga Super Cup at Kalinga Stadium. East Bengal beat Hyderabad when they met in the ISL this season and they will be looking to replicate the same. Who will win? 

East Bengal concluded the first half of the ISL season in the eighth position, merely three points away from a playoff berth. Their recent league performances have been notably commendable, securing goalless draws against Shield holders Mumbai City and AFC Cup participants Odisha FC. Impressively, the Red and Golds maintained a clean sheet in five consecutive matches, even though they struggled to find the net in the last three. As they enter the Kalinga Super Cup, East Bengal carries a positive momentum, reminiscent of their impressive run to the Durand Cup final last year. Although they fell short of winning a trophy after an 11-year wait, Carles Cuadrat's squad is eager to compete in this mid-season cup, offering a chance to qualify for the AFC Champions League 2. However, the upcoming challenge will be tougher, considering that teams can utilize their full foreign contingent in the competition. In Group A of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024, East Bengal is set to face Hyderabad FC, I-league side Sreenidi Deccan, and arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Nishu Kumar, Lalchungnunga, Hijazi Maher, Mandar Rao Dessai, Saul Crespo, Souvik Chakrabarti, Borja Herrera, Jose Antonio Pardo, Nandhakumar Sekar, Cleiton Silva.

The Torch Bearers are set to kick off the tournament against Hyderabad FC, a team they encountered in the group stages in the previous edition. In that encounter, they secured their first victory over Hyderabad FC in eight overall meetings in the ISL this season.

The clash in the 2023 Super Cup concluded with an exhilarating 3-3 draw, marked by Abdul Rabeeh's late winner salvaging the day for Hyderabad FC. The Nawabs hope for a repeat of such heroics as they navigate through a challenging campaign, both on and off the pitch. Currently positioned at the bottom of the table with no victories and only four points from the first 11 games of the season, Hyderabad FC faces significant challenges. Their defensive stability, marked by not conceding more than one goal in games, was shattered in heavy defeats to Odisha FC (3-0) and Jamshedpur FC (5-0) at the end of 2023.

The on-field struggles are compounded by financial constraints, leading to the departure of three foreigners and coach Connor Nestor due to unpaid wages. The club, facing a transfer ban and delays in announcing new investors, enters the Super Cup 2024 with uncertainties about their performance and mentality. Confronting two Kolkata giants and a fellow club from their city, albeit a well-managed one, Hyderabad FC harbours concerns about the tournament's outcome. The departure of key foreign players also places them at a disadvantage, given the dysfunctional transfer window that prevents them from securing replacements.

Gurmeet Singh (GK), Alex Saji, Chinglensana Singh, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Sahil Tavora, Joao Victor, Mohammad Yasir, Petteri Pennanen, Joseph Knowles, Aaren D’Silva

East Bengal are clearly going as favourites in this game at Kalinga Stadium with better performances this season. We have seen lots of goals when these two sides have met in ISL and we expect the same story to be played out here. Expect over 2.5 goals in the game, with both teams being on the scoresheet.