Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal ISL 2024-25 Preview: Schedule, Team News, Predicted Playing XI

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Bengaluru FC kickstart their Indian Super League campaign with a home match against Kolkata giants East Bengal at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (September 14).

After missing out on playoffs last season, East Bengal will be aiming to continue their development under Carles Cuadrat. For the boys from Bengaluru, a 10th-place finish last season was an underwhelming one and they will be desperate to get back into the playoff folds.

Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal ISL 2024-25 Schedule

Date: Saturday, September 14

Time: 7:30 pm IST

Venue: Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru

Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal - What Coaches Said

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza took charge of the team mid-season last term. Under his guidance, the Blues achieved four clean sheets but certain areas of improvement are needed to do better than the 10th position last season.

"The players we wanted to sign are here. The sporting director and owners have done their job and now it's our time to show. We had a really good pre-season in terms of training, fitness conditions and tactics. We also participated in the Durand Cup which gave us a glimpse of what we want to see in the ISL," he told the ISL official website.

Carles Cuadrat joined East Bengal FC last season and under his tutelage, the club reached the Durand Cup final and also won the Super Cup, which gave the opportunity to represent the country in Asia. The Kolkata giants are looking to rebuild under Cuadrat and the Spaniard is aiming to bring up sustainable development in the team.

"We are building a squad and trying to improve from last season and we have brought in new players to help us be more competitive. Also, we have given opportunities to youngsters. Some of them already debuted last season and assisted or scored goals. This will be their second year, a year to show that they are ready for the competition," Cuadrat said.

Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal Team News, Injury Update

Bengaluru FC have no injury concern and Gerardo Zaragoza will have a full squad to choose from for the first match of the season. Alberto Noguera and Jorge Diaz, who joined them from Mumbai City, are likely to be in the team for their league debut.

East Bengal are in a pickle due to the ban of Anwar Ali. Apart from the Indian defender, every other player is fit and available for selection. Carles Cuadrat will have to make the important decision between Cleiton Silva and Dimitri Diamantakos up front, but it looks like the new signing will get the nod.

Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal H2H Record, Last Meeting

Played: 17
Bengaluru FC Wins: 7
East Bengal FC Wins: 9
Draw: 1

Last Meeting: The last meeting between the two clubs ended in a 2-1 victory for East Bengal at the Salt Lake stadium last season. Saul Crespo and Cleiton Silva scored the goals for the Torch Bearers whereas Sunil Chhetri scored for the Blues.

Bengaluru FC vs East Bengal Predicted Playing XI

Bengaluru FC: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu; Nikhil Poojary, Rahul Bheke, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Naorem Roshan Singh; Suresh Singh, Pedro Capo, Alberto Noguera; Shivaldo Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Jorge Pereyra Diaz

East Bengal: Prabhsukhan Gill; Provat Lakra, Hijazi Maher, Lalchungnunga, Mark Zothanpuia; Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo; Madih Talal, Naorem Mahesh, Nandhakumar Sekar; Dimitri Diamantakos