ISL: Who will decide fate of Kerala Blasters vs East Bengal tie?

These players have been impactful for their clubs in the ISL 2023-24.

The stage is set for a high-stakes clash in the ISL 2023-24 as Kerala Blasters lock horns with East Bengal today. Both teams have their sights set on the playoffs, and individual brilliance could swing the outcome. Here, we analyze two players who have the potential to be the difference-makers in this encounter.

Kerala Blasters: Dimitrios Diamantakos – The Greek goal machine

Kerala Blasters will pin their hopes on the prolific Greek striker, Dimitrios Diamantakos. Currently, the league’s leading scorer with 13 goals, Diamantakos is in red-hot form. His clinical finishing and aerial prowess pose a constant threat to opposition defenses. He was instrumental in Kerala Blasters’ narrow 2-1 victory over East Bengal earlier this season, scoring a crucial goal. If Diamantakos can find his shooting boots again and exploit any vulnerabilities in the East Bengal backline, Kerala Blasters will be in a strong position to secure all three points.

East Bengal: Cleiton Silva – The creative spark

East Bengal, on the other hand, will rely heavily on the creativity and experience of Cleiton Silva, the Brazilian attacking midfielder. While he hasn’t been amongst the top scorers, his ability to unlock defenses with his passing and set-piece delivery is invaluable. Additionally, Silva’s leadership and composure on the pitch will be crucial in guiding a relatively weaker East Bengal side against a passionate home crowd in Kochi. If Silva can orchestrate attacks effectively and provide quality service for the likes of PV Vishnu and Naorem Mahesh Singh, East Bengal can cause an upset.

Who will win?

While Diamantakos’ goalscoring form makes him a clear threat, Kerala Blasters’ overall performance will depend on their midfield supplying him with quality chances. East Bengal, on the other hand, needs to find a way to neutralize Diamantakos’ influence and capitalize on Silva’s creativity. It promises to be a close encounter, with the home advantage potentially tipping the scales in favor of Kerala Blasters. However, East Bengal’s fighting spirit and Cleiton Silva’s leadership should not be underestimated. The team that capitalizes on their X-factors and minimizes errors is likely to emerge victorious from this intriguing ISL clash.

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