Indian Super League (ISL) sides East Bengal FC and Chennaiyin FC clash in a must-win tie on Tuesday to keep their AIFF Super Cup hopes alive, while Mohun Bagan Super Giant look to maintain their momentum with another win against Dempo SC later in the day.

The Mariners got off to a winning start with a victory over Chennaiyin FC while the Red and Gold brigade only managed a draw against Dempo who take on their Kolkata rivals on Tuesday.

Everything on the line for Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal FC

Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal FC lock horns on Tuesday knowing anything less than a win would put their campaign in serious jeopardy with just one team from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

Chennaiyin and East Bengal have met ten times before, with the Marina Machans holding the edge with three wins compared to East Bengal FC’s two and will be confident following a commanding 3-0 win in February in the ISL. This will be their first meeting in the Super Cup.

Chennaiyin FC under new head coach Clifford Miranda boast an all-Indian squad that will be looking to make an impression against a formidable East Bengal FC side who would want to repeat the 2024 heroics.

“The players’ attitude was fantastic. They showed they wanted to play, showed they wanted to defend, that they were ready to suffer without the ball, which was fantastic. It gives me encouragement that we can build something important and worthwhile going forward,” said Miranda reflecting on their opening encounter with Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

East Bengal FC who let a lead slip in the dying minutes against Dempo would seek improvement as they take on a must-win game before facing Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the Kolkata derby on Friday.

Failure to win would definitely spell the end of the campaign for Chennaiyin FC. As for East Bengal FC, a similar situation would leave them at the risk of missing out on qualification even before a ball is kicked in the Kolkata derby on Friday.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant look to seize initiative

The Mariners are in pole position in Group A after a 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC. They face Dempo on Tuesday who caused their city rivals East Bengal FC plenty of problems in their first match.

Jose Molina’s team will thus be wary of the threat posed by the Goans who will also enjoy home advantage and will look to keep their nerves during the game.

The Mariners can really seize initiative in Group A with a win that would leave them needing just a joint to confirm their passage to the semi-finals if East Bengal FC beat Chennaiyin FC. A draw in that game would mean that Mohun Bagan Super Giant would qualify for the semi-finals before the Kolkata derby.

AIFF Super Cup is a title that’s evaded the Mariners who have won all other major domestic honours available to them and would be keen to add this trophy to their cabinet.

Jamie Maclaren scored a brace in the opening game and would want to continue this form going into the Kolkata derby and possibly the semi-finals as Mohun Bagan Super Giant would hope that their key players are all firing come the big games.