Kolkata, Sunday, March 22, 2026: The Indian Super League 2025-26 season continues with a highly anticipated Monday night fixture as East Bengal FC lock horns with local rivals Mohammedan SC in a Kolkata Derby at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The match is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 IST.

The match will be streamed live on FanCode and telecast on Sony Sports TEN 2.

The Red and Gold Brigade currently sit sixth in the table with eight points, but will be looking to bounce back from the frustration of their last three matches.

Despite a highly promising start to the season, they were most recently forced to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw against Kerala Blasters FC, after conceding a 92nd-minute stoppage-time goal.

They will face a Mohammedan Sporting side that is searching for a turning point in their season. The Black and White Brigade, navigating their season in the top flight with an all-Indian squad, currently sit at the bottom of the table without a point after suffering four consecutive defeats.

Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s men arrive on the back of a narrow 1-2 away defeat to Bengaluru FC, where a spirited second-half fightback featuring a 51st-minute strike from Mahitosh Roy was ultimately not enough to overcome first-half goals from Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan.

While the two iconic clubs share a century-old rivalry in Indian football, clashing countless times in historic domestic tournaments, their recent battles in the Indian Super League have seen East Bengal hold the upper hand.

In their two previous ISL meetings, the Red and Gold Brigade have secured a victory and a draw. Their last encounter in February 2025 saw East Bengal claim a commanding 3-1 victory at the VYBK, courtesy of strikes from Naorem Mahesh Singh, Saúl Crespo, and David Lalhlansanga, which overpowered a lone goal from Mohammedan's Franco.

East Bengal will hope to leverage this recent dominance and their stable form, while Mohammedan SC will look to use the immense emotion of the derby to secure their much-needed first victory of the campaign and avenge their previous defeat.

Speaking ahead of the marquee clash, East Bengal FC head coach Óscar Bruzón addressed the team's recent late setbacks while warning against complacency. “Probably lack of concentration in the last minutes and in set pieces has made us drop points. But inside the dressing room, inside the team, our determination, our focus, our commitment is there,” Bruzón stated. Refusing to underestimate their local rivals, he added, “Mohammedan will try everything to collect their first point. I have full respect for them.”

East Bengal goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill echoed his coach's unwavering confidence, emphasising the team's overarching ambitions despite recent frustrations. “We have dropped some points, but that doesn't mean that we are not aiming for the top spot still,” Gill explained. Pointing to their strong structural foundation, he noted, “This year in the ISL, we are one of the teams that have scored the most goals and conceded one of the fewest. So we are playing some of the best football this season. It's just a matter of time before results start to come.”

For Mohammedan Sporting, the objective is to channel their underdog status into a historic performance. Head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo demanded fearlessness from his young Indian contingent. “We have faced challenges this season, but this is the perfect stage to show our character,” Wadoo explained. “East Bengal are a strong team with experienced players, but in a derby, passion and effort can level the playing field. I want my players to go out there without fear, play with their hearts, and fight for our identity in the ISL. We are looking for points as it is a question of our survival in the top tier of Indian football. We will give our absolute best to keep the club alive in the Indian Super League.”

Mohammedan Sporting forward Md Fardin Ali Molla highlighted the squad's relentless motivation. “Results haven't gone our way, but the morale inside the dressing room is still strong. We are united as a family. A positive result in a match of this magnitude can change our entire season. We are ready to give our 100 per cent, fight until the final whistle, and bring home our first points of the season.”

The Monday night clash at the VYBK promises to be a fiercely contested and emotional battle with season-defining consequences. A win will propel East Bengal into fourth position, breathing fresh life into their championship ambitions after their recent string of frustrations.

On the other hand, a victory is desperately required for the Black and White Brigade; three points will not only secure immense city pride but will also lift them above Kerala Blasters and Sporting Club Delhi, offering a crucial lifeline to avoid relegation to the Indian Football League.