PREVIEW: East Bengal v Bengaluru FC Test of the strongest and calmest
IN A LEAGUE FORMAT TOURNAMENT, the most crucial points are the ones that are won against the biggest challengers. That is because all teams look to improve on their goal difference against weaker teams but if they can get a win over their challengers, it serves as an all important result when the finish gets tighter.
Tonight we see a similar situation. East Bengal trail Bengaluru FC by two points.A win gets them past the current champions. That draw against Aizawl proved to be the difference. East Bengal have been playing some pacy and quality football. Balanced play from both flanks and mix it up by a great distrubuting midfield. Under the experienced Trevor Morgan East Benagal are tough at home. By tough, if is definitely noteworthy of the physical aspect of their game. Particularly the midfield with the likes of the long stayed Mehtab Hossain leading the firm tackles breaking opposition in their stride. A tactic that can break the free - flowing football that Bengaluru have shown. We might see cracking challenges from EB tonight. Either those will be timed to perfection or some leg collisions ending in some painful muscles
Bengaluru on the other hand are for sure wary of all that East Bengal will offer or rather throw at them. Under Albert Roca, we have seen a not-so-fiesty team ready to set aside aggression for a composed and swift play. The league leaders after three games would have thoughts similar to EB's to try and climb over a challenging opponent to stay up the table. But Bengaluru have not been perfect yet. Tied on goal difference but the goals have not come in the fashion they have earned the reputation so far. Against Shillong Lajong, BFC had to wait till close to the last quarter of the game to get on the scoreboard. This might be a concern immediately but eventually if they are fighting towards the end of a game and if chasing to overcome a deficit, this point of unable to score might come in focus.
Prediction
East Bengal are a tough nut to crack, they are like the big bully who all think twice before engaging into a battle with. Bengaluru are are a compact and fluid unit who are use their attacks in a surprised manner to hit opponents when they least expect. But East Bengal have the home support to their team and they are known to make a good intimidating atmosphere. The fight will be till the final whistle in this exciting encounter of the two of the challengers for the title. No clear favorites to win here. We expect to see a small number of goals but never know if some controversies mar this full on attack-capable game
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