ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City faces depleted East Bengal with hopes to continue winning run

ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City faces depleted East Bengal with hopes to continue winning run

Mumbai City FC would look to maintain its winning streak and remain in the play-off qualification zone when it hosts East Bengal in their Indian Super League (ISL) match in Mumbai on Friday.

The Islanders have returned to winning ways with a 3-0 triumph against Mohammedan Sporting last week and are currently placed sixth with 27 points on the back of seven victories and six draws.

The Petr Kratky-coached side has a chance to do a league double for the second time over the Red & Gold Brigade, having won the reverse fixture 3-2 previously.

However, Mumbai City hasn’t beaten East Bengal at home in the competition, even unable to find the back of the net in both of their previous encounters, losing and drawing once match each.

East Bengal, however, has struggled to find its feet on the road this season. It has won just once in its last eight away games, drawing once and losing six times.

However, East Bengal’s last game saw it bag a 2-1 win against Kerala Blasters, as it snapped its two-game goal drought.

Currently, the Red-and-Gold Brigade is at the 11th spot in the points table. It has won and drawn once in its previous five matches, losing thrice, and has 17 points from as many games.

Trailing the sixth-placed Islanders by 10 points, this is East Bengal’s chance to cut the gap in a direct contest and then hope to produce a winning run to make a late surge for the play-offs (by finishing in top-six).

Mumbai City head coach Petr Kratky said he believes that the team is getting better with every game.

“We feel that we are getting stronger and better, which is very important for me as a coach. I am very happy with where we are and how we’re doing,” he said.

East Bengal head coach Oscar Bruzon emphasised the unpredictability of every game in the ISL.

“One of the good things about the ISL is that every game is very tight. All line-ups are very balanced. You can never predict which team is going to win which match,” he said.

The two teams have faced each other off nine times in the ISL. Mumbai City has won six games, whereas East Bengal has emerged victorious twice.