ISL: East Bengal, Chennaiyin in battle to keep playoff hopes alive

East Bengal faces Chennaiyin FC in a crucial ISL match to determine their playoff hopes.

East Bengal meets Chennaiyin FC at home in a bottom-half clash of the Indian Super League at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday. With the tournament entering the home stretch, the match will decide the two opponents’ future prospects.

Both teams are locked on points having 18 each but East Bengal is a step ahead in the 10th position with a superior goal difference and has also played a match less (18) compared to Chennaiyin. The Marina Machans, who are on a seven-game-long winless run, will be eager to secure a win and keep alive their playoffs aspirations.

The last seven rounds have seen Chennaiyin drifting away from the top half suffering four defeats while managing to draw the rest. Its plight is also reflected in the fact that it has not been able to secure a win against a Kolkata-based side in its last five meetings.

Chennaiyin head coach Owen Coyle hoped that his team would be able to perform to its true potential and regain the winning rhythm at this crucial juncture.

East Bengal’s dream of securing its first playoff spot in the ISL suffered a blow as the Oscar Bruzon-coached side conceded three successive losses in its previous outings. With the top-six finish still a possibility, East Bengal will be looking for full points from the home outing.