Indian Super League 2020-21: Key details about the playoffs
What's the story
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season is all set to see its league stage come to an end. Eight out of the 11 teams have one league game left, with Mumbai City and Odisha having two in their bag. Eighth-placed Chennaiyin FC have finished their campaign. Ahead of a crunch playoffs stage, we look at the details.
ATKMB
ATK Mohun Bagan likely to take first place
ATK Mohun Bagan have been brilliant this season. They top the table with 40 points from 19 games. Notably, ATKMB have registered 12 wins, four draws, and three losses. They also have conceded the fewest goals this season (13). With a goal difference of +15, ATKMB will hope to finish on a high and then continue with the momentum in the playoffs.
Mumbai City
Mumbai need to win their remaining games by big margins
Mumbai City FC have 34 points from 18 games and have two left. If ATKMB lose their final game against Mumbai, the latter could end first. For this to happen, Mumbai need to win both their remaining games and improve their goal difference. A draw for ATKMB will be enough to qualify as toppers. Mumbai have won just one of their last five games.
Trio
Three teams in contention for two spots
Third and fourth-placed sides Goa and NorthEast United have picked up 30 points each. They have one game in hand as Goa are ahead on goal difference. Notably, fifth-placed Hyderabad are also in the reckoning. They have 28 points and need to beat Goa in their final game to make it through. Meanwhile, NorthEast United face Kerala Blasters next.
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The other six teams are out of the ISL
The likes of Jamshedpur, Bengaluru, Chennaiyin, East Bengal, Kerala Blasters, and Odisha are out of the ISL 2020-21 season. Odisha are set to finish last, having collected just nine points from 18 games. Bengaluru (seventh) and Jamshedpur (sixth) are vying to take the sixth place.
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Key details about the playoffs
The ISL 2020-21 playoffs stage will start March 5. The playoffs will be a two-legged affair and the team with the better aggregate will qualify for the final. The finale will be played on March 13 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.