Indian Super Cup 2018 Final: Football fraternity predicts win for Bengaluru over East Bengal
We are all set for the Super Cup final today, as two of the best sides from the I-League and the ISL go head to head against each other. It has been a long and arduous season for both East Bengal and Bengaluru FC, who have missed out on their respective league trophies by a whisker.
Nw they will look to redeem themselves, as they face off in the Super Cup Final at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
With the crunch final all set to kick off, let's take a look at what some of the experts from the Indian football community have predicted ahead of the match.
Ranjit Bajaj, Minerva Punjab owner
Prediction: Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC should really clinch it, having two top quality strikers in their team. East Bengal, on the other hand, are heavily reliant on Dudu. So if you keep him quiet, then they are done.
Knowing Khalid (Jamil), he will try to keep things very tight nick it on the counter. It depends on who will get the early goal. If its Bengaluru, then East Bengal won't have a chance to come back. But if East Bengal get the early goal, then the whole game will open up. But I would say Bengaluru will win 2-0.
Sanjoy Sen, ex-Mohun Bagan head coach
Prediction: N/A
See, I don't really believe in predictions. All I can say is that it looks like it'll be a really tight game. East Bengal have a golden chance. They've got nothing to lose, although Bengaluru FC are a much more organised side. But the better sides don't always win. East Bengal haven't won anything in a long, long time. They are hungry to get this drought over.
If fan-support was a factor, then they East Bengal and Mohun Bagan would have won all the trophies, because they have the biggest fan bases in India. Fan support is not as big a factor. You have to play football. That's what will win you the match in the end.
Bino George, Gokulam Kerala FC head coach
Prediction: East Bengal
It's a 50-50 chance. But I'll say East Bengal have a slight advantage here. The pressure will be on Bengaluru, as they have already choked in the ISL final. Also, I've noticed that the ISL teams are not being able to play properly in the afternoon matches.
I-League clubs are accustomed to this by now. But Bengaluru have been tiring in the second half. I would give 55 percent chance to East Bengal. The only thing I'm not too convinced about is their goalkeeper (Ubaid). I think it'll be a really close game, and East Bengal will win 1-0.
Henry Menezes, WIFA CEO,
Prediction: Bengaluru FC
Basically, it's a battle between I-League and ISL, and both the teams are actually good enough. But I think Bengaluru FC have the edge because their forwards are very unpredictable in the attacking third.
If they can stop Miku, then EB may be able to hold them, but then there are Sunil (Chhetri) and Udanta (Singh) also. On the other hand, BFC have also conceded some silly goals. Also, they've choked in the finals. So that could also be a factor. I think this will go into extra-time and will be decided on penalties.
Shaji Prabhakaran, DSA chief
Prediction: Bengaluru FC
On current form, it looks like BFC, because they've been playing really well, and their strikers have been firing. On the other hand, East Bengal have been struggling up front. But East Bengal could also use their supporter base.
So many fans have come down from Howrah to watch the game, so that could be a factor. But on paper, Bengaluru FC are definitely the favourites. But I think it will be a very good contest.