NorthEast United vs East Bengal Predictions

NorthEast United will face East Bengal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong on March 8, 2025, in a key Indian Super League matchup, with both teams vying for crucial points in the 2024/25 season’s latter stages. NorthEast United, projected to sit 5th with around 35 points from 19 matches as of March 6, 2025, are coming off a 2-0 league win over Jamshedpur FC (March 1, 2025), aiming to secure a playoff spot with a strong home performance. East Bengal, expected to be 8th with approximately 31 points from 19 matches, arrive after a 2-1 victory over Hyderabad FC (March 2, 2025), looking to build momentum and climb the table. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win NorthEast United vs East Bengal in this Indian Super League showdown?

Team Form & Recent Performances

NorthEast United

• 2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 6): 10W, 5D, 4L in ISL (35 points, 5th)

• Latest Result: 2-0 win vs. Jamshedpur FC (ISL, March 1, 2025)

• Home Form: 5W, 3D, 2L (18 goals scored, 12 conceded) NorthEast United have been in solid form, with their 2-0 victory over Jamshedpur marking their third win in five games (3W, 1D, 1L) as of March 6, 2025. Projected at 35 points from 19 matches, they’re playoff-bound, with a 3-1 win over Punjab FC (Feb 15, 2025) showcasing their home strength at Shillong’s JLN Stadium (their adopted home this season). They’ve averaged 1.80 goals scored and 1.20 conceded per game at home, blending attack with resilience, now facing an East Bengal side they’ve historically edged.

East Bengal

• 2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 6): 9W, 4D, 6L in ISL (31 points, 8th)

• Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. Hyderabad FC (ISL, March 2, 2025)

• Away Form: 4W, 2D, 4L (14 goals scored, 15 conceded) East Bengal have found late-season rhythm, with their 2-1 win over Hyderabad marking their fourth victory in six games (4W, 1D, 1L) as of March 6, 2025. Projected at 31 points from 19 matches, they’re pushing for a playoff spot, with a 3-2 win at Jamshedpur (Feb 15, 2025) highlighting their road potential. Away from home, they’ve averaged 1.40 goals scored and 1.50 conceded per game, with Cleiton Silva (9 goals) in fine form, but their inconsistency could be tested by NorthEast’s home advantage.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: NorthEast United 5W, East Bengal 4W, 3D (12 meetings since 2018)

• Recent Meeting:
  November 29, 2024: East Bengal 1-0 NorthEast United (ISL, Round 10)

• Key Trend: NorthEast have won 3 of the last 5 H2Hs at home; 50% of their meetings produced over 2.5 goals. The November 2024 clash saw East Bengal edge a 1-0 win at home, with Silva scoring, but NorthEast’s 2-1 home victory in February 2024 at Guwahati (their usual home) shows their ability to strike back (avg. 2.6 goals in last 5 H2Hs). With this match in Shillong, NorthEast’s 3-1 home win over East Bengal in March 2023 suggests they can capitalize on home soil.

Key Players to Watch

NorthEast United

• Alaeddine Ajaraie (FWD): 9 goals, 3 assists in ISL; NorthEast’s top scorer with clinical finishing.

• Parthib Gogoi (MID): 4 goals, 4 assists; dynamic playmaker with flair.

• Mirshad Michu (GK): 5 clean sheets; key to defensive stability.

East Bengal

• Cleiton Silva (FWD): 9 goals, 3 assists in ISL; East Bengal’s talisman and clutch performer.

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

• Prabhsukhan Gill (GK): 5 clean sheets; vital for road resilience.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

NorthEast’s 4-2-3-1 (1.68 goals per game) relies on Ajaraie’s finishing and Gogoi’s vision, targeting East Bengal’s moderate away defense (1.50 goals conceded per game), though Nestor Albiach’s doubtful status (knock) may see Guillermo Fernández step in. East Bengal’s 4-2-3-1 (1.58 goals per game) hinges on Silva’s movement and Mahesh’s pace, pressing high (avg. 49% possession away) to disrupt NorthEast, with Saul Crespo questionable (fatigue) but likely replaced by Jeakson Singh. Shillong’s 25,000 fans will rally NorthEast, potentially turning this into an open, goal-heavy clash between playoff contenders.

Prediction: NorthEast United vs East Bengal

Our Prediction: NorthEast United to Win 2-1