East Bengal FC will look to continue its winning momentum when they host a strong Bengaluru FC in an ISL-12 match at the Salt Lake Stadium on Thursday.
East Bengal go into the match full of confidence after a convincing 3-1 away win over Chennaiyin FC. The Kolkata giants will look to build on that performance and secure another positive result at home to boost their title chances.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC will be eager to bounce back after losing to Kerala Blasters FC in the previous outing. That loss halted recent progress and the team will now focus on crucial areas to get back into the championship race.
Both sides are currently level on 14 points, but East Bengal has a slight lead in fourth place due to a superior goal difference. Bengaluru, who have played one more match (eight compared to East Bengal’s seven), are under added pressure to produce results in this encounter.
East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon expressed confidence in his team’s current form and stated that they are performing well on all important parameters. «We are where we want to be. I think the season so far has been very positive. The numbers, statistics and all the parameters we are evaluating are encouraging. We are the team that scores the most goals and also the team that concedes the fewest,» said Bruzon, reflecting on his team’s strong response by winning two consecutive matches after a phase with a defeat and two draws. “It is a game we can win and consolidate our position at the top of the table,” he added.
East Bengal FC will miss the services of an injured Naorem Mahesh Singh in attack. The Red and Gold Brigade will now have to find the right replacement to maintain their lead in the creative zone, an area where Mahesh has been crucial with his sharp runs down the flanks.
A big boost for Bengaluru FC will come from the availability of Argentine playmaker Braian Sanchez, whose suspension was revoked after the All India Football Federation disciplinary committee downgraded his red card (which he collected against Blasters) to yellow. His presence could prove crucial in midfield as Bengaluru look to go all out for maximum points.
«It should be an attractive match. It will come down to who controls possession better, who creates more chances, and most importantly, who takes those chances and scores. When we play away, it is important for us to stay solid at the back, but we also have to be proactive, create chances and try to score goals. We have to stay compact and competitive throughout the match,» said Bengaluru head coach Pep Munoz ahead of the crucial encounter.
Published on April 15, 2026
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