Calcutta: East Bengal face a must-win situation against a rampaging Aizawl FC in a crucial Federation Cup Group A match at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Thursday.

Aizawl FC are already in the semi-finals with wins against Churchill Brothers and Chennai City FC.

East Bengal, who have four points from two matches, will have the advantage of taking the field knowing what exactly they have to do. Churchill's match against Chennai City starts at 4 pm and if the Goan club - having one point - lose or draw, East Bengal will be through irrespective of what they do against Aizawl.

A win for Churchill and three points for Aizawl will put the Goan club and East Bengal on same points and then goal difference will come into play. "Aizawl are going through a purple patch. But this winning run cannot continue forever. Isn't it? It has to stop," assistant coach Ranjan Choudhury said.

East Bengal will be missing Gurwinder Singh and Mehtab Hussain due to double bookings, and that means Arnab Mondal is sure to get a start. Ivan Bukenya had a cut on his head and if East Bengal find that they are already through, then the African import may not be in the starting XI.