East Bengal vs Bengaluru Predictions

East Bengal will face Bengaluru at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan on March 2, 2025, in a pivotal Indian Super League matchup, as Round 20 brings together two teams vying for postseason supremacy. East Bengal, under Óscar Bruzón, are projected to sit 6th with around 35 points from 19 matches as of March 1, 2025, following a 2-1 win over NorthEast United (Feb 23, 2025), aiming to leverage their home fortress and passionate Kolkata crowd to secure a playoff spot. Bengaluru, managed by Gerard Zaragoza, are expected to be 5th with approximately 36 points, coming off a 3-1 loss to Punjab FC (Feb 25, 2025), looking to regain consistency. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win East Bengal vs Bengaluru in this ISL clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

East Bengal

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 1): 10W, 5D, 4L (35 points, 6th in ISL)
Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. NorthEast United (Feb 23, 2025)
Home Form: 6W, 2D, 2L (20 goals scored, 12 conceded)

East Bengal have been in scintillating form, with their recent 2-1 victory over NorthEast United marking their fourth consecutive league win as of March 1, 2025. Projected at 35 points from 19 matches, their last home win—a 3-2 thriller against Jamshedpur FC (Feb 15, 2025)—underscores their strength at Salt Lake Stadium. At home, they’ve averaged 2.00 goals scored and 1.20 conceded per game, showcasing a potent attack bolstered by a raucous crowd that could unsettle Bengaluru’s defense.

Bengaluru

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 1): 11W, 3D, 5L (36 points, 5th in ISL)
Latest Result: 3-1 loss vs. Punjab FC (Feb 25, 2025)
Away Form: 5W, 2D, 3L (16 goals scored, 14 conceded)

Bengaluru have been a strong contender, projected at 36 points from 19 matches as of March 1, 2025. Their 3-1 defeat to Punjab FC snapped a three-game winning streak (2W, 0D, 1L), exposing defensive frailties. On the road, they’ve averaged 1.60 goals scored and 1.40 conceded per game, reflecting a balanced but occasionally shaky side that could struggle against East Bengal’s current momentum and home advantage.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

Overall Record: Bengaluru 8W, East Bengal 5W, 5D (18 meetings since 2017)
Recent Meetings:

• Sep 14, 2024: Bengaluru 1-0 East Bengal (ISL)

• Apr 7, 2024: East Bengal 2-1 Bengaluru (ISL)

• Feb 25, 2023: Bengaluru 2-1 East Bengal (ISL)

Key Trend: Bengaluru have won 3 of the last 5 meetings; 3 of the last 5 H2Hs stayed under 2.5 goals.

Bengaluru edged East Bengal 1-0 in September 2024 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, with Sunil Chhetri scoring the winner, but East Bengal’s 2-1 home victory in April 2024—led by Cleiton Silva—shows their ability to strike back. Matches have averaged 2.2 goals in their last five encounters, suggesting a tight contest could unfold at Salt Lake Stadium.

Key Players to Watch

East Bengal

• Cleiton Silva (FWD): 9 goals, 3 assists in 2024/25; East Bengal’s top scorer and clutch performer.

• Naorem Mahesh Singh (MID): 5 goals, 5 assists; dynamic winger with flair.

• Prabhsukhan Gill (GK): 5 clean sheets; key to defensive resilience.

Bengaluru

• Sunil Chhetri (FWD): 8 goals in 2024/25; Bengaluru’s talisman and veteran leader.

• Ryan Williams (MID): 4 goals, 4 assists; creative spark in midfield.

• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (GK): 6 clean sheets; vital despite recent errors.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

East Bengal’s 4-2-3-1 (1.74 goals per game) thrives on Silva’s finishing and Mahesh’s pace, testing Bengaluru’s defense (1.32 goals conceded per game). Bengaluru’s 4-3-3 (1.68 goals per game) relies on Chhetri’s experience and Williams’ playmaking, exploiting East Bengal’s backline (1.37 goals conceded per game). East Bengal’s Lalchungnunga (doubtful, knock) and Bengaluru’s Chinglensana Singh (questionable, fatigue) could impact lineups, with Salt Lake Stadium’s 66,000 fans amplifying the pressure on the visitors.

Prediction: East Bengal vs Bengaluru

Our Prediction: Total Goal - Over 2.5