With Mohun Bagan already having crossed the finishing line with aplomb, defending the Shield with two matches to spare and securing the highest points tally ever in the league, the remaining two weeks of the Indian Super League (ISL) group stage will now see attention shift to the intense playoff race.
Alongside Mohun Bagan, FC Goa (42 points from 21 games) and Jamshedpur FC (37 points from 21 games) have also secured their places in the playoffs. However, there are still three spots up for grabs. Bengaluru FC (4th with 34 points from 21 games), North East United FC (32 points from 22 games), and Mumbai City FC (32 points from 21 games) are just one win away from sealing their place in the top six. Meanwhile, Odisha FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal FC, Kerala Blasters and Punjab FC still have a glimmer of hope. They must win all their remaining games and hope that other results go in their favour.
With the top three spots already secured and eight teams still in contention for the playoffs, here’s a look at their remaining matches and qualification scenarios:
Bengaluru FC
Gerard Zaragoza’s side started the season in dominant fashion, remaining unbeaten in their first six games. However, they struggled to maintain their momentum, losing their position at the top of the table to Mohun Bagan and FC Goa mid-season. Sunil Chhetri and Co. will face Chennaiyin FC at home, East Bengal away, and Mumbai City FC at home in their remaining fixtures. Currently sitting in 4th place, their chances of finishing second—which would allow them to bypass the playoffs and go straight to the semi-finals—look slim. However, two wins from their remaining three matches will be enough to confirm their place in the playoffs.
NorthEast United FC
The Durand Cup champions have the playoffs within their grasp and need just one win from their last two games—against Chennaiyin FC (A) and East Bengal (H)—to cement their spot. Their season has been a rollercoaster, and they even had a chance to surpass their best-ever ISL campaign (2020-21 under Khalid Jamil). However, back-to-back defeats at their new home ground in Shillong have hindered their progress. If Juan Pedro Benali’s side can recover in their final two matches, they could make their fans proud by securing their third-ever ISL playoff appearance.
Mumbai City FC
It has been a challenging season for the defending ISL Cup champions compared to their last two campaigns. Peter Kratky’s side has suffered numerous injuries to key players, but they managed to revive their campaign mid-season and are now back in playoff contention, giving their fans something to cheer about. With a direct semi-final spot out of reach, the Islanders—currently 6th with 32 points from 21 games—must win two of their last three matches to secure a playoff berth. However, their upcoming fixtures present a tough challenge: they face league winners Mohun Bagan at home before traveling to Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC.
Odisha FC
Following their dramatic defeat to Mohun Bagan, Odisha FC faces an uphill battle to stay in the playoff race. Even if they win their remaining two matches, their qualification hopes depend on NorthEast United and Mumbai City FC dropping points. If Bengaluru FC and NorthEast win at least one of their remaining games and Mumbai City FC secures a win and a draw from their last three fixtures, Odisha’s playoff dreams will end. Sergio Lobera’s side seemed on track to secure their third consecutive playoff appearance, but Roy Krishna’s injury and Ahmed Jahouh’s controversial contract termination has dealt them a significant blow.
Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, and Punjab FC
While playoff qualification seems like a distant dream, these four teams still have a mathematical chance. Chennaiyin FC (24 points from 21 games) lead the pack, followed by East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, and Punjab FC. To stand any chance, they must win all their remaining fixtures and hope that NorthEast and Mumbai City FC lose all of theirs. While the odds are stacked against them, they will still push for a strong finish to the season.
With the playoffs fast approaching, every game will be crucial as teams battle for the remaining three spots. The coming weeks promise intense action and high drama as the ISL group stage nears its conclusion.