Preview: East Bengal FC look to build momentum against Jamshedpur FC at home
Crucial three points at stake as the Red and Gold Brigade host the Men of Steel in their second game in Matchweek 13.
Jamshedpur FC will eye registering their first-ever league double over East Bengal FC when they face off in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 on December 21, Saturday, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) at 7:30 pm IST. The Men of Steel secured a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture on October 5, 2024, and another clean sheet this weekend would mark the first time they achieve back-to-back shutouts against the Red & Gold Brigade in the competition.
Jamshedpur FC snapped their three-game losing streak and will come into this game on the back of consecutive victories in their last couple of encounters. They have, however, given away the second-most goals in the ISL 2024-25 (21), only behind the 10th-placed Kerala Blasters FC. A strong start and recent recovery mean that they find themselves within the playoffs spots (6th) right now, but the visitors will have to be at the top of their game since the tables can turn around immediately given the slim margins separating teams in the table.
East Bengal FC look to iron out issues at the back
· Home Defensive Issues: East Bengal FC have conceded multiple goals in each of their last two home matches. If they repeat that trend, it will be their longest such streak in ISL history. The Red & Gold Brigade will have to be wary of the same, since Jamshedpur FC have found the back of the net five times in their previous two games.
· Favourable Momentum: East Bengal FC come into this match with momentum, having won three of their last four ISL games (L1), a sharp turnaround from their winless start to the season (D1 L6). Another win would mark their joint-highest tally of wins (4) after 12 games in a season, matching their record from 2023-24.
Jamshedpur FC look to correct away form
· Struggles On The Road: Jamshedpur FC have faced struggles on the road, failing to score in each of their last two away games. They have never gone three consecutive away games without scoring in ISL history, and the Red and Gold Brigade will aim to avoid this unwanted record.
· Jamshedpur FC’s Defensive Concerns: Jamshedpur FC have permitted an average of 26.8 touches per game in their own box, the highest of any team this season. Additionally, they have conceded eight goals from outside the box, the most by any side this season, highlighting a vulnerability to long-range strikes.
Head-to-Head
In their nine matches so far, East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC have won two and four times respectively. Three matches have resulted in a draw with an average of two goals being scored per game.
Coach’s Corner
“My idea of the game is to create more chances than the others”
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon has asserted that he wants his team to approach matches with an offensive outlook.
“I consider myself an attacking coach. I always say that my idea of the game is creating more chances than the others. We want to take the risk to win games. So, if we are minimising risk, being scared, we are not understanding what we are doing,” Bruzon said.
Jamshedpur FC snapped their three-game losing streak and will come into this game on the back of consecutive victories in their last couple of encounters. They have, however, given away the second-most goals in the ISL 2024-25 (21), only behind the 10th-placed Kerala Blasters FC. A strong start and recent recovery mean that they find themselves within the playoffs spots (6th) right now, but the visitors will have to be at the top of their game since the tables can turn around immediately given the slim margins separating teams in the table.
East Bengal FC look to iron out issues at the back
· Home Defensive Issues: East Bengal FC have conceded multiple goals in each of their last two home matches. If they repeat that trend, it will be their longest such streak in ISL history. The Red & Gold Brigade will have to be wary of the same, since Jamshedpur FC have found the back of the net five times in their previous two games.
· Favourable Momentum: East Bengal FC come into this match with momentum, having won three of their last four ISL games (L1), a sharp turnaround from their winless start to the season (D1 L6). Another win would mark their joint-highest tally of wins (4) after 12 games in a season, matching their record from 2023-24.
Jamshedpur FC look to correct away form
· Struggles On The Road: Jamshedpur FC have faced struggles on the road, failing to score in each of their last two away games. They have never gone three consecutive away games without scoring in ISL history, and the Red and Gold Brigade will aim to avoid this unwanted record.
· Jamshedpur FC’s Defensive Concerns: Jamshedpur FC have permitted an average of 26.8 touches per game in their own box, the highest of any team this season. Additionally, they have conceded eight goals from outside the box, the most by any side this season, highlighting a vulnerability to long-range strikes.
Head-to-Head
In their nine matches so far, East Bengal FC and Jamshedpur FC have won two and four times respectively. Three matches have resulted in a draw with an average of two goals being scored per game.
Coach’s Corner
“My idea of the game is to create more chances than the others”
East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon has asserted that he wants his team to approach matches with an offensive outlook.
“I consider myself an attacking coach. I always say that my idea of the game is creating more chances than the others. We want to take the risk to win games. So, if we are minimising risk, being scared, we are not understanding what we are doing,” Bruzon said.
Read More from the East Bengal FC pre-match press conference -> HERE
“We are focusing on our gameplay”
Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil insisted that his team is taking things one game at a time and emphasised on the importance of emerging victorious over East Bengal FC.
“We are focusing on our gameplay. We have to think positively. Our sole target right now is to get a positive result to win tomorrow. It’s a very important match for us,” Jamil said.
Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil insisted that his team is taking things one game at a time and emphasised on the importance of emerging victorious over East Bengal FC.
“We are focusing on our gameplay. We have to think positively. Our sole target right now is to get a positive result to win tomorrow. It’s a very important match for us,” Jamil said.
· No player has scored more goals in this fixture than East Bengal FC’s Cleiton Silva (3). Silva has scored a total of five goals against Jamshedpur FC, with only his tally against NorthEast United FC (7) being higher. His threat in front of goal will be crucial if East Bengal FC are to claim victory.
· Jamshedpur FC’s Javi Siverio is in impressive form, having scored three goals in his last two ISL appearances. If he scores in this match, he will become only the fourth Jamshedpur FC player to net in three consecutive ISL games, joining a list that includes Sergio Castel (5), Greg Stewart (4), and Daniel Chima Chukwu (3).
· East Bengal FC’s Vishnu Puthiya became just the third Indian player to register at least one goal and one assist as a substitute in an ISL game for East Bengal FC in their recent match against Punjab FC on December 17, 2024. His impact off the bench could once again be a game-changer.
ISL Fantasy
Anwar Ali (₹5.5cr)
The East Bengal FC defender has earned the most ISL fantasy points (46) for them this season
Javi Hernandez (₹9.4cr)
The attacking midfielder has bagged the highest ISL fantasy points (50) for Jamshedpur FC in 2024-25
The Indian Super League will be streamed live on JioCinema (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam) and telecast live on Sports 18 – 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam), Asianet Plus (Malayalam). Additionally, select ISL matches will be telecast live on Sports 18 – 1, Sports 18 – 2, Sports 18 – Khel, and Star Sports 3.
