I-League 2018-19: East Bengal vs Churchill Brothers- Match Preview
Today, East Bengal will be hosting Churchill Brothers in their return I-League fixture, a match which is a must-win for both sides as it can make or break their title chances. East Bengal are third on the league table with 31 points from 15 matches while Churchill are fourth with 30 points from 17 matches. Here is our detailed match preview.
How are the hosts looking ahead of the fixture?
East Bengal will be riding high on confidence after dismantling Shillong Lajong with a 5-0 scoreline in their last match. If they win, they can level points with league leaders Chennai City. Their front-three have been in tremendous form and if they net in early goals, East Bengal might pick up the win against Churchill tonight.
Are Churchill ready for the challenge?
Churchill had earlier thrashed Mohun Bagan 3-0 at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan and will be confident when they take on East Bengal at this venue. However, Hussein El Dor and Richard Costa are doubtful to appear in the match and even Petre Gigiu has an injury to attend, thus making this complicated for the visitors. Churchill will have to keep opponent's wingers in check.
Who will be the key players in the fixture?
Jaime Santos Colado, Jobby Justin and Enrique Esqueda have been in tremendous form for East Bengal and they will again be key players against Churchill. Esqueda scored a hat-trick against Shillong and thus will be high on confidence. Plaza and Novakovic will be the pillars for Churchill while Dawda Ceesay's prowess in the mid-field will also be vital for the visitors.
Predicted line-up and TV listing
East Bengal: Dagar, Chullova, Acosta, Gomez, Mohammad, Ralte, Aidara, Lalrindika Ralte, Esqueda, Colado, Justin. Churchill Brothers: Kithan, Vaz, Rodrigues, Novakovic, Martins, Lyngdoh, Lobo, Aucho, Fernandes, Wolfe, Plaza. The match is scheduled to kick-off at 5:00 PM, and will be broadcast on the Star Sports network. It can also be live-streamed on Hotstar or Jio TV.
How can the match turn out tomorrow?
The match will be an intense affair tomorrow since both teams have been in tremendous form this season. However, the balance is slightly tilted in East Bengal's favor since they are in great shape and will be playing at home. Churchill Brothers will surely put up a tough resistance as well. We predict the match to go 3-1 in East Bengal's favor.
What should be the ideal Fantasy XI for the match?
Choose a 3-4-3 formation with Dagar as the goal-keeper. The three center-backs should be Vaz, Rodrigues, and Acosta while Ralte and Lobo take up the wingers' roles. Lalrindika and Aucho can be the central mid-fielders in the match. Esqueda, Justin and Plaza can take up the forwards of this Fantasy XI.
