ISL Match Preview: Odisha FC looking to revive top 4 hopes as they face SC East Bengal

Odisha FC will aim to get back to winning ways when they will go head-to-head with SC East Bengal in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) on Monday at Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, Goa.

As the race to the top four takes a sharp turn, SC East Bengal can still play an important role in determining the fates of other clubs. Meanwhile, Odisha FC will bank on the strengths they displayed at the beginning of the season to reassert a semi-final claim.

Form Guide

SC East Bengal: LWLLD

The Red and Gold Brigade posted their first and only win of the season in the encounter against FC Goa. Despite a horrid start to their campaign with a winless streak, SC East Bengal have looked like an improved side since Mario Rivera’s arrival after they made a bold statement with a comeback against Chennaiyin FC in their last match.

Odisha FC: LWDLD

Odisha are placed delicately in the standings in the eighth position with 18 points in 14 matches. To climb up the ladder, they would look to turn around their recent form where they have managed to record only one win to better their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.

Head-to-head

In the three head-to-head matches played between these two teams, Odisha FC have won twice, while SC East Bengal has won the remaining tie.

Team News

All the players from the sides and available for selection

Key Players

SC East Bengal

Darren Sidoel: Not the footballer who grabs the eye, but he surely does his job. In the last game, he provided the breakthrough, which helped SC East Bengal stage an unexpected comeback against a solid Chennaiyin FC side. SC East Bengal will hope he re-creates the same in the upcoming match.

Hira Mondal: The find of SC East Bengal this season – Hira Mondal has been a wall for his side in the defence, having mastered the art of negating attacks through the wings. With 40 tackles, 27 interceptions, 51 clearances, and 30 blocks, Odisha FC players would find it hard to penetrate through the SC East Bengal defense.

Odisha FC

Jonathas de Jesus: Jonathas de Jesus has been involved in seven-goal contributions this season, having scored five and assisted twice. The Brazilian has scored in each of their last two matches so far and is expected to make the difference in the upcoming one.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga: The footballer has already proved his worth in the Hero ISL 2021-22 and there’s no denying that he is up for more challenges. With three goals and an assist to his name in the season so far, having registered 17 shots and 20 crosses.

Key Stats

Contrasting playing style: Both the teams score goals in a different fashion. SC East Bengal relies on set-pieces to score goals, having netted 12 of their 16 goals from dead-ball situations. On the other hand, Odisha FC are prone to strike from open-play, having scored 16 out of their 23 goals in that fashion.

Goal fest ahead: In the three matches played between these two teams, a total of 25 goals have been scored, at a rate of over 8 goals per match. In the last encounter between these two sides, 10 goals were scored, with the match ending 6-4 in SC East Bengal’s favour.

Match timings and telecast details

Match: SC East Bengal vs Odisha FC

Date: February 7, 2021

Venue: Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa

Kick-off time: 7.30 pm IST

Telecast: Star Sports Network

Online Streaming: Disney+Hotstar and JioTV.