Mohun Bagan Super Giants vs. East Bengal FC Prediction: East Bengal FC looking to build on Super Cup win

Mohun Bagan Super Giants will go against East Bengal FC in Gameweek 13 of the Indian Super League at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. East Bengal FC will be looking to build on their Super Cup win. Who will win? 

There are both reasons for optimism and concerns for Mohun Bagan as they approach the upcoming match. On a positive note, the team has a history of winning all their ISL matches against East Bengal, providing them with a psychological advantage. Additionally, playing at home gives Mohun Bagan a significant edge, boosting their confidence.

However, there are also factors that may cause apprehension among Mohun Bagan supporters. The team has recently displayed poor defensive performances, failing to secure any clean sheets in their last nine matches. Despite their past successes against East Bengal, Mohun Bagan has been struggling in the 2023-24 ISL season, experiencing three consecutive defeats in the league. As a result, they have dropped to the 5th position in the table, with the risk of being overtaken by teams like NorthEast United.

With coach Antonio Lopez leading the team for the past month and boasting a perfect record against East Bengal, Mohun Bagan aims to bounce back. However, injuries to key players Anwar Ali and Ashique Kuruniyan pose a challenge. Jason Cummings emerges as a crucial player for Mohun Bagan, leading the scoring charts with four goals and an assist this season. As they strive to rediscover their winning form, Cummings' performance will be pivotal for Mohun Bagan in the upcoming match.

Vishal Kaith; Lalrinliana Hnamte, Brendan Hamill, Sumit Rathi, Subashish Bose; Deepak Tangri, Anirudh Thapa; Manvir Singh, Hugo Boumous, Dimitri Petratos; Jason Cummings.

There are reasons for optimism and apprehension for East Bengal as they prepare for the upcoming match. On a positive note, the team is riding high on their recent victory in the Kalinga Cup, which has provided them with a significant morale boost. Additionally, East Bengal has been displaying impressive attacking prowess, contributing to their success on the field.

However, there are also concerns regarding the team's defensive performances, which have not been entirely convincing. With just one clean sheet in their last five matches, there is room for improvement in this aspect of their game. Despite their recent triumph, East Bengal is aware of their historical struggles in the Kolkata derby. Nevertheless, this upcoming match presents an opportunity for the team to rectify past shortcomings and showcase their capabilities.

East Bengal will face the challenge without Jordan Elsey, who is sidelined due to injury, under the guidance of coach Carles Cuadrat. Cleiton Silva emerges as a key player for East Bengal, having played a pivotal role in their success during the Kalinga Cup. The Brazilian forward also leads the team's scoring charts in the Indian Super League with five goals this season, highlighting his importance in their attacking lineup.

Prabhsukhan Gill; Mohamad Rakip, Jose Pardo, Hijazi Maher, Nishu Kumar; Saul Crespo, Ajay Chhetri, Vishnu PV; Naorem Mahesh Singh, Cleiton Silva, Nandhakumar Sekar.

Although the overall records of the two teams are similar, East Bengal enters the game with significant momentum, particularly after their success in the Kalinga Cup. This achievement serves as a major morale boost for the team. On the other hand, while Mohun Bagan had a promising start to the season, they seem to be encountering some difficulties lately. Coach Antonio Lopez is still working towards finding the team's optimal performance level.