Manchester City vs Liverpool Betting Tips – Liverpool Desperate To Gain Momentum For League Title
06 Apr 2025
Read More
Playoff Qualification Heats Up As Mohun Bagan Look To Secure ISL Shield
- Mohun Bagan SG is one win away from defending their ISL title.
- Eight points separate five teams vying for playoff spots.
- Upcoming matches, including Hyderabad vs. Mumbai City, will be key
The Indian Super League (ISL) trophy (Getty Images)
- Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC
- Mohammedan SC vs Jamshedpur FC
- North East United FC vs Bengaluru FC
- Punjab FC vs East Bengal FC
- FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters FC
- Mohun Bagan SG vs Odisha FC
The race for the Indian Super League 2024-25 Shield is almost over as Mohun Bagan SG are one win away from successfully defending their crown. Ten points below the Mariners, the playoff battle is expected to go down to the wire.
Eight points separate five teams with FC Goa currently sitting in second place – a spot that will push its occupant straight into the semi-finals of the ISL Cup playoffs along with the Shield winners.
The results of the upcoming matchday will certainly move things around in the table, especially in the playoff zone. It will be interesting to see if the current incumbents of the vital spots can cling on or if Odisha FC claw their way back into the top six.
Hyderabad FC vs Mumbai City FC
Matchday 23 of the ISL will kick-off at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, where Hyderabad FC will host an eager-to-win Mumbai City FC side. After an impressive performance last season, Mumbai City FC have struggled with consistency under Head Coach Petr Kratky.
After losing against FC Goa in the previous match, the Islanders will be desperate to nab a win against the Nizams and go five points clear of Odisha FC, who are breathing down their neck in the playoff race.
The biggest concern for Kratky will be to fill the void left by his star striker Nikos Karelis. In his absence, the expectations from Jorge Ortiz were high, but the Spaniard has fired blanks in four appearances so far. Meanwhile, the hosts are on a roller-coaster ride after securing two wins in their last four outings.
After a series of poor performances in front of their faithful, the Nizams have dodged defeats in their last four ISL games in their own backyard.
The stakes are high for the visitors and their desperation to retain their position in the playoff spots will probably guide them to victory.
Mohammedan SC vs Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur FC squandered the opportunity to replace FC Goa in second place in the ISL table as the Red Miners dropped all points in their last two matches. In addition to that, Jamshedpur FC have only won three out of nine away games in the ISL this season.
Head Coach Khalid Jamil will have to rack his brains to make sure his team bounces back not only to end the short losing streak but also to improve their record on the road.
There could be some respite for Jamshedpur FC as they are up against a side that is rooted to the bottom of the table. Mohammedan SC have nabbed two wins in their maiden ISL campaign but both wins have come on the road and they are yet to register a home win this season.
The I-League champions have already lost five games in a row earlier this season and if they drop all points against the Red Miners, they will inadvertently repeat that feat.
Javi Hernandez and Javier Siverio will have to find their goalscoring boots as the duo has faltered in the last two matches. The Red Miners will rely heavily on the pair, as they have for the majority of the season.
North East United FC vs Bengaluru FC
This encounter is one of the most important fixtures of the upcoming matchday. Only a single point separates these two high-flying attack-minded teams who are eager to stay in the playoff spots.
The recent ISL face-offs between North East United FC and Bengaluru FC have been tightly contested and there has been nothing to separate the two sides. The spoils have been shared in their last three encounters against each other.
History favours visitors but the resurgence and recent form backs the hosts. The Highlanders’ last win over the Blues came three years ago when two goals in the final quarter of the match turned the game on its head.
This season, relying solely on their star, Alaeddine Ajaraie, North East United FC are aiming for something special. The Moroccan has smashed multiple records in the ISL and extended his goal tally to 20 goals after bagging a brace in the last match.
The nerves of retaining their spot in the playoff qualification zone may get the better of one side and could land the other in trouble.
Punjab FC vs East Bengal FC
After starting the season extremely well, Punjab FC have tumbled down the table and are seven points off the last playoff qualification spot with four games to go. They are also three points ahead of their next opponents, East Bengal FC, whose struggle continues in the ISL.
Both teams have failed to maintain consistency in their recent games. The Shers have registered only one win in their last five games and have failed to win in their last three.
Meanwhile, the Torch Bearers have secured two wins in their last five ISL games and coming into this fixture on the back of a 3-1 win against rivals and strugglers Mohammedan SC.
If they can maintain the same momentum, the visitors have a good chance to topple Punjab FC in their own backyard. However, it will be a tricky task to keep Luka Majcen at bay for the East Bengal FC defence.
FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters FC
FC Goa will be looking to cement their spot in second place on the table when they lock horns with a mercurial Kerala Blasters FC side. The league title charge is almost over for the Gaurs but they can still qualify directly for the playoff semi-finals if they finish second in the table.
The chances of that happening are quite high because Manolo Marquez’s side are five points clear of Jamshedpur FC, who are currently sitting in third place.
In the last five matches, FC Goa have won four and suffered one defeat. They bounced back from that defeat against the Red Miners well with back-to-back wins against Odisha FC and Mumbai City FC. Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC are experiencing a season to forget. Seven points off the last playoff qualification spot, it is safe to say that their charge for knockout football this season is almost over.
The history backs the hosts as Kerala Blasters FC’s last win in FC Goa’s backyard came in 2016. Since then, FC Goa have beaten them six times and only one game has ended in a draw at the Fatorda Stadium.
Mohun Bagan SG vs Odisha FC
Mohun Bagan SG have the opportunity to seal the ISL Shield in front of their faithful with two games in hand when they go toe-to-toe with Odisha FC on Sunday.
The Mariners have been in formidable form this campaign and are the only side that has not lost a single game at home this season. Jose Molina’s men have a chance to clinch the league title and extend their unbeaten streak in the ISL to ten games.
On the other hand, Odisha FC will be desperate for all three points as they are just outside the playoff qualification zone, breathing down the necks of Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC. The Juggernauts are two points off the fifth and sixth place, but they have played a game more.
However, their aim for the remainder of the season will be to win all available points and hope that at least one club above them slips up.
