East Bengal are set to face Odisha FC on February 28. A week later, they will face another top-table club FC Goa. They don't have the Kolkata derby marked on their schedule before these two matches.

However, it seems East Bengal coach, Carles Cuadrat’s focus is already on that match on March 10. After defeating Chennaiyin FC in their last game, the coach said that they would win the Kolkata derby.

Talking to the ISL website, coach Cuadrat said, “We have sometimes played with two, sometimes three foreigners in various matches in the league. We played six foreigners in the Super Cup at that place. A few players were also in the national team.”

He added, “Now our situation is completely different. But gradually we are returning to the rhythm. We will win the return derby against Mohun Bagan. We should do well in the other matches as well.”

East Bengal's next two matches against 1st-placed Odisha FC and 4th-placed FC Goa will not be easy. The Red and Gold Brigade’s form hasn't been promising as they've only won two out of their last six matches.

Both wins came against bottom-table teams - Hyderabad FC and Chennaiyin FC. They lost against NorthEast United, Mumbai City FC, and Jamshedpur FC. They managed to hold Mohun Bagan to a 2-2 draw in the first derby of the season.

The Red and Gold Brigade were fresh out from winning their first trophy in 12 years when they faced the Mariners in that game. Their situation has worsened since then with several injuries and the departure of players.

They brought in several replacements for these departed players, but it seems that the newcomers need more time to gel with the rest of the team. However, still, the derby is a game that no one can predict and the result can go either way.