East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Three in-form players for each team ahead of Kolkata derby in ISL 2024-25

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East Bengal vs Mohun Bagan: Kolkata Derby ISL 2024-25: The first Kolkata derby of ISL 2024-25 will see East Bengal face Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on Saturday, October 19.

Both teams have been far from their best in the league so far, with defending champions Mohun Bagan sitting in fourth place after two wins in four matches. However, their cross-town rivals are in worse shape, with East Bengal rock bottom in the points table with four losses so far.

Despite their disappointing league form, both teams have players who have performed admirably despite the results. These in-form players will be crucial in deciding the fate of Saturday's clash, as Kolkata derbies are decided as much by individual brilliance as by team efforts.

Let's have a look at three in-form players for both teams who will be vital for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan to win the first Kolkata derby of this ISL season.

East Bengal: Three In-form Players

#3 Anwar Ali

Despite being part of an East Bengal defence that has shipped in eight goals in the league, Anwar Ali has been one of the better performers in the Red and Gold back four. Neither he nor Hector Yuste have been as bad as the results suggest, with most of East Bengal's losses coming from an inability to score.

After a long and ugly transfer saga between the two rivals, Anwar Ali will feel like he has a point to prove against his previous employers. His form has steadily improved since the start of the season, with an incredible outing against Vietnam last week. He will need to carry that form to the Salt Lake Stadium if East Bengal hopes to get a positive result against their opponents.

#2 Saul Crespo

Few other players epitomise what East Bengal is all about more than midfielder Saul Crespo. The Spanish midfielder is a dynamo in the middle of the park, playing every minute of ISL so far. Even though he has yet to open his goal tally in the league, he is by far East Bengal's most potent goal threat against Mohun Bagan.

Crespo has been much more lethal in other tournaments, scoring in the Durand Cup and the Champions League Two Qualifiers. East Bengal fans hope their midfield maestro can bring the same numbers in the league, especially against their old rivals on Saturday.

#1 Madih Talal

French midfielder Madih Talal has been one of the best signings in recent memory for East Bengal, with the 27-year-old slotting seamlessly into the Red and Gold midfield. Despite East Bengal's miserable league outings, Talal has held up his end of the bargain, chipping in with a goal against FC Goa.

Talal is undoubtedly capable of much more, as he showed last season for Punjab FC with 16 goal contributions in 22 ISL matches. While it hasn't been easy sailing for the midfielder in his new club, he will be one of the most vital players for East Bengal to get anything out of the Kolkata derby or this league season.

Mohun Bagan: Three In-form Players

#3 Apuia

24-year-old midfielder Apuia Ralte has been a revelation since joining from Mumbai City FC. He has quickly become an indispensable part of the Mariners' midfield, playing the entire 90 minutes in each of their four league outings.

Despite his slender build, Apuia has been a giant presence in the centre of the pitch, dictating the tempo of the matches with excellent vision and presence of mind. He is far from a finished product, but an Indian player so comfortable with the ball at his feet is rare, and his performances have rightly excited the Mohun Bagan faithful.

#2 Vishal Kaith

In their match against NorthEast United, Mohun Bagan fans unfurled a giant tifo calling for Vishal Kaith's inclusion in the national team's starting XI, such has been the goalkeeper's performance for the Green and Maroon.

While rivals point out the unusually high number of goals conceded by Mohun Bagan this season, the fact is that none of those goals is Vishal's fault, with his backline letting him down more often than not.

Vishal has stood tall—literally and figuratively—between the sticks for Mohun Bagan, even in matches where they have lost by a big margin, such as against Bengaluru FC. His performances have earned him an extended contract, and he will look to justify that faith with a top-notch performance in Saturday's derby.

#1 Greg Stewart

Mohun Bagan knew they were signing a vital player when they acquired Greg Stewart, but even the club hierarchy couldn't have predicted the instant impact the Scot would have. The veteran forward has four goal contributions in as many league matches, being by far Mohun Bagan's best player in the 2024-25 season.

Stewart is a constant goal threat down the right side for the Mariners. Besides his undeniable footballing skills, he has been a massive mental boost for his team, seeming to lift the standards of those playing around him.

Despite being 34 years old, Stewart has missed only eight minutes of league football so far. Mohun Bagan will need him to be at his best if they want to continue their dominance over East Bengal in the ISL.