Before the Kolkata derby in the ISL on Saturday in Guwahati, Parallel Sports was in search of a few major duels between the two participating teams that might happen on the pitch.

The fans sure know where to look out and which players can give out the most fierce battles for the day. 

Maclaren vs. Hijazi

This clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with East Bengal needing to step up to stop their rivals from seizing the upper hand. Jordan international Hijazi has faced criticism for his subpar performance in East Bengal's narrow 2-3 loss to Mumbai City, particularly for his lack of positional awareness in recent matches.

On the other side, Jamie Maclaren will aim to extend his scoring run in the Kolkata Derby, having already netted a goal in the October fixture where Mohun Bagan triumphed 2-0. Known for his sharp runs and lethal finishing, Maclaren could be a handful for Hijazi, whose towering presence is offset by his lack of pace.

Maclaren’s ability to exploit defensive gaps with clever movement will test East Bengal's backline, especially with Mohun Bagan's midfield adept at delivering precision passes to the Australian forward. For East Bengal, containing Maclaren could be the key to securing a much-needed result in this iconic rivalry.

Jeakson Singh vs. Greg Stewart

Greg Stewart’s brilliance on the ball and ability to unlock defences make him a vital cog for Mohun Bagan. With forwards Jamie Maclaren and Jason Cummings already leading the attack, coach Jose Molina might position Stewart as a playmaker in the No. 10 role, especially with Anirudh Thapa ruled out of the derby.

In this role, Stewart could dictate the tempo, deliver defence-piercing passes, and make late runs into the box, adding another layer to Mohun Bagan’s offensive arsenal. East Bengal’s Jeakson Singh will have the responsibility of disrupting Stewart’s flow, a task that requires discipline and sharp defensive instincts.

Jeakson must stay tight to Stewart, cutting off his passing lanes and denying him the space to operate freely. Preventing Stewart from weaving his magic in midfield could be the deciding factor in this high-stakes encounter.

Dimitrios Diamantakos and Tom Aldred

Dimitrios Diamantakos will lead East Bengal’s attack against a formidable Mohun Bagan defence, which has conceded only 13 goals this season—the league's best defensive record.

Diamantakos faces a tough task breaking through the Mariners’ backline, especially with Tom Aldred at the helm. The experienced English defender has been exceptional, consistently reading the game well and making crucial interventions to thwart opposition attacks. Finding space against Aldred’s rock-solid defence will be Diamantakos’ biggest challenge in this crucial derby clash. 

When comparing the results of the last five Kolkata Derbies, Mohun Bagan Super Giant has the upper hand. They have won three out of the five encounters, including their dominant 3-1 and 2-0 victories in February and October 2024. East Bengal, on the other hand, secured two victories—one in the 2023 Kalinga Super Cup, where they beat Mohun Bagan 3-1, and another in September 2024, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Chief Minister’s Cup derby. The two teams also played to a 2-2 draw in one of the ISL matchups in 2024, showing a balanced but competitive rivalry.