In the bottom-of-the-table clash, SC East Bengal and Odisha FC will face off in Match 45 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco on Sunday. Both sides did not have the best of starts to their season and are yet to taste victory. However, both teams boast plenty of players that can help snap the winless streak in this contest. Here, we look at some of the talking points that could influence the outcome of the match in a big way.

Rallying SC East Bengal hold the edge

Following a dismal start to their debut Hero ISL campaign, that saw SC East Bengal lose their first three matches, Robbie Fowler’s men have shown improvement recently, drawing three out of their last four matches -- thanks to their enhanced efficiency in the goalscoring department. After failing to score in their first four matches, the Kolkata-based team has now scored five times in the last three. And with Odisha FC dealing with defensive woes, SC East Bengal have a chance to get their first-ever win in the Hero ISL.

Matti Steinmann is SC East Bengal’s main attacking threat

SC East Bengal’s prolific midfielder Matti Steinmann will fancy his chances when the team takes on a defensively frail Odisha FC, who have not kept a clean sheet in their last 13 matches - seven in this season and six in the last. Steinmann helped his team level scores twice by scoring a brace in the 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC in their last match. The German possesses the ability to press against the opposition and has already made 113 forward passes. He will look to continue his rich vein of form and get all three points for the team.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga key to Odisha FC’s attack

Young midfielder Jerry Mawihmingthanga, after missing the initial matches through injury, has been a shot in the arm for Odisha FC. The 23-year-old is the leading goal provider of the team with two assists in their last two matches. SC East Bengal will need to avoid giving Mawihmingthanga room to create chances. In the four matches he has played this season, Mawihmingthanga has created six opportunities, joint-most by an Odisha FC player. He created four chances in the last match alone against NorthEast United FC and assisted Cole Alexander for his first goal of the season.