EBFC vs JFC Match Details
Date: Monday, 25 September 2023
Time: 20:00 (IST)
Venue: Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata
EBFC vs JFC Match Preview
After finishing the last three seasons in the bottom three of the ISL table, Emami East Bengal are hoping for a reversal with an excellent start under their new manager Carles Cuadrat. For the first time, the Red and Gold has appointed someone proven at this level. The Spaniard won the ISL trophy in his previous job at Bengaluru FC and also took the team to the top of the standings, becoming the first side to do so in league history. All of that was achieved in his maiden season at the club. East Bengal are hoping to experience something similar under Cuadrat’s tenure with making it to the playoffs being ideal for them. They have every right to do so after surprising everyone to reach the Durand Cup final when a 2-2 draw against the Bangladesh Army team in the opening game seemed to have eliminated them from the competition. While they defeated their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan in the group stages after a long losing streak, the Green and Maroon took revenge in the final. Nevertheless, Cuadrat’s men had plenty of positives to take from which they will now wish to implement in the new ISL season ahead. The team has also created the team more sensibly this time out. Starting against fellow strugglers from last season Jamshedpur FC at home, East Bengal are thinking nothing else but three points.
While the Torch-Bearers ended in ninth last season, Jamshedpur FC ended a place below them with the same points collected from 20 available games. The Men of Steels campaign was a more of disappointment because they won the ISL Shield a year ago. After winning manager Owen Coyle left, the set team with not many changes crumbled. Although they showed a bit of resurgence late in the campaign and went to the semi-finals of the Super Cup, it was not enough for Adrian Boothroyd to keep his job. Jamshedpur FC also lost the AFC Champions League playoff battle against the next Shield winners Mumbai City FC to miss the chance on continental football as well. Shaking off a forgetful period for the club, Jamshedpur FC are willing to start their era under new manager Scott Cooper on a better note. The ex-Philippines men’s national team manager will bring fresh energy to the team badly required at the moment. The problem for Jamshedpur FC will be even the struggling teams strengthening themselves up with cut-above signings which has increased competition even further with the addition of a 12th team. East Bengal might have the edge at home in their ISL opener but the Red Miners are wishing to go one better in the head-to-head ranking in terms of victory.
EBFC vs JFC Team News
East Bengal has a crisis in the centre-back region with key players missing. New signing Jordan Elsey is out for the long term following a knee injury in the Durand Cup final coach Carles Cuadrat has officially said the club is looking out for his replacement. Lalchungnunga has joined the Indian national team camp for the Asian Games while Nishu Kumar, on loan from Kerala Blasters, is unregistered from the ISL squad for unknown reasons. That means other arrivals in the position, Gursimrat Singh and Jose Antonio Pardo will form the partnership.
Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC are missing their new striker signing Petar Sliskovic from Chennaiyin FC for a season-ending knee injury. In his place, Daniel Chima will start up front after the club decided to retain him. The Nigerian is flanked by new arrival Alen Stevanovic and returning to his place of birth, Ritwik Das.
EBFC vs JFC Predicted Lineups
EBFC: Prabhsukhan Gill; Harmanjot Khabra, Jose Antonio Pardo, Gursimrat Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai; Souvik Chakrabarti, Saul Crespo, Borja Herrera; Nandha Kumar, Cleiton Silva, Mahesh Singh
JFC: TP Rehenesh; Ricky Lallawmawma, Pratik Chaudhari, Dylan Fox, Provat Lakra; Jeremy Manzo, Pronay Halder, Emil Benny; Alen Stevanovic, Daniel Chima, Ritwik Das
EBFC vs JFC Head-to-Head
Played - 2
EBFC won - 2
Draw - 2
JFC won - 2
EBFC vs JFC Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Gill (7.5)
DEF: Ricky (8.5), Pratik (8), Halder (7)
MID: Ritwik (9), Herrera (8.5), Crespo (8), Benny (8)
FW: Sekar (8.5), C Silva (9), Mahesh (8)
Vice-captain: Ritwik Das
Captain: Cleiton Silva
