East Bengal vs SC Delhi
Preview: East Bengal FC vs. Sporting Club Delhi – The Torchbearers Look to Stay Perfect
Match: East Bengal FC vs. Sporting Club Delhi (formerly Hyderabad FC)
Date: February 21, 2026
Venue: Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (Salt Lake Stadium), Kolkata
Kick-off: 5:00 PM IST
Kolkata is buzzing as East Bengal FC returns to the Salt Lake Stadium today, looking to maintain their spot at the top of the ISL table. After a dominant 3–0 win in their opener, the Red & Gold Brigade face Sporting Club Delhi, a young side still searching for their first points of the 2025–26 campaign.
The Storylines
1. East Bengal’s Perfect Start
For the first time since joining the ISL, East Bengal won their season opener. Under Oscar Bruzon, the team looks revitalized, efficient, and lethal in transition. The headline story is new striker Youssef Ezzejjari, whose debut brace has immediately silenced any doubts about the club's finishing power. Playing at home for the second game in a row, the goal is simple: back-to-back wins to solidify their title credentials.
2. Sporting Club Delhi’s Identity Crisis
Following their rebranding from Hyderabad FC, Sporting Club Delhi (SCD) is in a period of transition. Their debut against Bengaluru FC (a 0–2 loss) showed a team that wants to play possession-based football but lacks the clinical edge to finish moves. Coach Tomasz Tchórz has a young, energetic squad, but they must find a way to survive the high-pressure environment of a "Kolkata away" fixture.
Team News & Tactics
East Bengal FC: The hosts are missing key defender Kevin Sibille (hamstring) and captain Naorem Mahesh Singh (knee injury). However, the domestic pairing of Anwar Ali and Lalchungnunga in central defense looked rock-solid in the opener. Expect them to maintain their 4-3-3 setup, focusing on feeding Ezzejjari through the creative sparks of Miguel Figueira.
Sporting Club Delhi: SCD will likely stick to their 4-4-2. They will rely on Brazilian center-back Rafael Ribeiro to organize a defense that will be under siege. Their hope lies in the pace of Augustine Lalrochana and the finishing of Matija Babović on the counter.
Key Player Matchup
Youssef Ezzejjari (EBFC) vs. Rafael Ribeiro (SCD)
Ezzejjari is the man of the moment. If Ribeiro can’t contain the Spaniard’s movement inside the box, it could be a long evening for the Delhi side. Ezzejjari’s ability to play with his back to goal and turn quickly makes him a nightmare for any isolated defender.
Predicted Lineups
| East Bengal FC (4-3-3) | Sporting Club Delhi (4-4-2) |
| GK: Prabhsukhan Gill | GK: Vishal Yadav |
| DF: Jay Gupta, Anwar Ali, Lalchungnunga, Mohamad Rakip | DF: Manoj Mohammed, Rafael Ribeiro, Clarence Fernandes, Gou Hangshing |
| MID: Jeakson Singh, Saul Crespo, Miguel Figueira | MID: A. Lalrochana, Mohammed Azhar, Abdul Hudu, Mohammed Aimen |
| ATT: Bipin Singh, Youssef Ezzejjari, Nandhakumar Sekar | ATT: Matija Babović, Alan Saji |
Final Verdict
The momentum is firmly with the "Torchbearers." While Sporting Club Delhi has the technical tools to keep the ball, they lack the physical presence and experience to weather East Bengal's attacking waves in front of a passionate home crowd.
Prediction: East Bengal FC 2–0 Sporting Club Delhi
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