Kashiwa want to recover the ball high and attack again before Daejeon's defence resets. Daejeon can absorb that first entry and send runners wide after a clearance. East Bengal's central passing can lead to close shots at home. Al Seeb's wide deliveries and late runners make the second ball important there as well.
Kashiwa's attack has genuine depth through Koizumi, Hosoya and the wide runners, but its box entries against a compact Ratchaburi side produced many blocks and few shots on target. Its big Urawa win also included two goals after a dismissal. Daejeon's central defenders, Lee Myung-jae, Kim Bong-soo and goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun all played the latest match, and Diogo featured despite an older doubtful flag. I expect Daejeon to close enough of Kashiwa's second entries and use its wide outlets to keep the final margin tight. That's why I'm siding with Daejeon to stay close.
At Salt Lake Stadium, Rashid and Ramirez can move East Bengal from the middle into the forwards and reach the box again after the first attempt. East Bengal created close shots against Al Shorta at home, while Seeb's first meeting with them brought plenty of crosses but little final work from Meye; Seeb's away attack at Al Shorta was also sparse. Rashid, Ramirez, Anwar and David played the reverse meeting. Loba appeared for a shorter spell, and reports about Mahesh and Rakip do not establish a new loss from that starting group. I expect East Bengal's home supply and available finishing options to turn one of those entries into the decisive goal. That's why I'm siding with East Bengal to win this match.
