ISL 2024-25: Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal FC Battle for Top-6 Aspirations

Synopsis

Chennaiyin FC faces East Bengal FC at VYBK in ISL 2024-25. Both teams aim to rejuvenate their seasons and secure a playoff spot, with Chennaiyin on a seven-match winless streak and East Bengal looking to capitalize on their previous victory.

Key Takeaways

Chennaiyin FC has not won against Kolkata teams this season.
East Bengal FC has struggled offensively but is strong in the second half.
Both teams are tied on points yet far from the playoffs.
Previous encounter saw East Bengal win 2-0.
Coaches optimistic about finishing the season positively.

Kolkata, Feb 7 (NationPress) Chennaiyin FC is set to clash with East Bengal FC in their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 match at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) on Saturday. The Marina Machans are currently enduring a challenging seven-match winless streak, with their last victory being a narrow 1-0 win over Hyderabad FC on December 11.

Since that victory, they have faced four defeats and three draws, placing them at the 11th position in the points table with a total of 18 points. Meanwhile, East Bengal FC occupies the 10th position, also with 18 points from the same number of games, trailing the sixth-placed Mumbai City FC (28) by 10 points with only a few matches remaining to salvage their season.

In the previous encounter on December 7, 2024, East Bengal FC secured a 2-0 victory. They will be eyeing another three points, which would mark them as only the third team to achieve a league double over the Marina Machans in ISL history, joining Bengaluru FC (2022-23) and Hyderabad FC (2023-24).

Chennaiyin FC has struggled to find success against teams from Kolkata, remaining winless in their last five matches this season (D2 L3). Their longest stretch without a win against Kolkata-based teams was a nine-match period from March 2020 to March 2022 (D6 L3).

Conversely, East Bengal FC has faced challenges in scoring, having failed to net goals in seven matches this season. Their previous record for consecutive matches without scoring was nine, set during the 2021-22 season. Despite these difficulties in attack, East Bengal FC has been notably effective in the second half of their games.

A significant 78 percent of their goals this season have been scored after halftime (14 out of 18), the highest ratio among all teams. Defensively, they have conceded just 11 goals in the second half, the second lowest after Mohun Bagan Super Giant (7), indicating that Chennaiyin FC must remain vigilant in the latter stages of the match.

Historically, in their nine encounters, East Bengal FC and Chennaiyin FC have each won two matches, with five resulting in draws.

East Bengal FC head coach Oscar Bruzon stated that the playoffs remain a possibility for his team. He remarked, “Reaching the playoffs is an achievable target. However, it’s difficult when we begin the season losing games. We still have six matches left, and we will do our best, focusing on the upcoming game against Chennaiyin FC.”

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle emphasized the need for his team to finish the season on a positive note, stating, “We have talented players who can help us win games. It’s essential that we conclude the season strongly, starting with tomorrow's match against East Bengal FC.”