ISL 2020-21: East Bengal vs ATK Mohun Bagan - TV channel, stream, kick-off time & match preview

East Bengal are set to start their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) campaign as they host cross-city rivals ATK Mohun Bagan at the Tilak Maida in Vasco, Goa, on Friday evening. 

TV CHANNELS & LIVE STREAM

The Star Sports Network have the exclusive broadcasting rights of the ISL in India.

Commentary will also be available in vernacular languages across India.

TEAM NEWS

East Bengal Possible XI:   

Injured - None
Doubtful - None  
Suspended - None  

Key Players - Anthony Pilkington, Scott Neville  
 

ATK Mohun Bagan Possible XI: 

Injured - Jobby Justin, Michael Soosairaj   
Doubtful -  None
Suspended - None

Key Players - Roy Krishna, Sandesh Jhingan

MATCH PREVIEW

Robbie Fowler will taste the Kolkata derby experience in his first match in charge of East Bengal, as the Red and Golds are also set to embark on their maiden journey in the ISL.

Training under the Englishman, who had his last managerial stint at A-League side Brisbane Roar, the newbies have made some interesting signings such as Irish winger Anthony Pilkington, Scottish defender Danny Fox and Australian stopper Scott Neville (on loan from Brisbane Roar) among the foreign players.

Among Indians players, too, the club made quite a few notable picks such as Balwant Singh (ATK), Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Bengaluru), Narayan Das (Odisha) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin). However, the team could look rusty given this is their opening game and their goalkeeping contingent does not inspire confidence. Fowler is set to choose between Sankar Roy, Debjit Majumder and Mirshad Michu.

East Bengal's attack looks a bit lightweight. Balwant Singh didn't have the best of seasons at ATK having scored just a single goal. Jeje Lalpekhlua is coming from a long injury lay off with Girik Khosla too has struggled to make a mark.

Aaron Holloway is the sole foreign recruit who is an out and out striker but he isn't necessarily known for being prolific. The likes of Pilkington and Jacques Maghoma could play a crucial role here. 

ATK Mohun Bagan started their campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters in their opener, although most of the proceedings in the game were dictated by the Blasters.

The Green and Maroons looked more like ATK than Mohun Bagan in their first ISL match, as coach Antonio Habas set them up to nullify the Blasters threat - and they did it really well. Roy Krishna missed an easy chance to break the deadlock from a corner-kick within the first few minutes but scored a perfect poacher's goal in the second half to ensure three points.

Habas' men are known to adopt a pragmatic approach by sitting deep and absorb the pressure. However, especially after having played a game as compared to their rivals, it could be a change of tactics given the kind of threat the Mariners possess with Edu Garcia partnering Krishna as effectively as one would like in the attacking third. David Williams' inclusion in the last game also looked promising, as the Australian kept the opponents on their toes.

An expected change in the line-up of ATK Mohun Bagan could be the entry of Subhasish Bose in place of Michael Soosairaj who suffered a serious injury in the previous game.