The Indian Super League has reached its climax with each team having played 13 games; they have one more game to go. From the 8 teams, only 4 can qualify to the semi-final stage and two teams have already booked their place in the last 4.
Chennaiyin FC & FC Goa have already booked their place in the last 4 and can play their final game at peace without having to worry about getting into the knockout round. All the other 6 teams still have a chance of getting into the final two spots, we look at the permutations for each team to qualify, and here are the fixtures for the last round of the Indian Super League.
9th Dec
Chennaiyin FC vs. Delhi Dynamos
Kerala Blasters FC vs. FC Pune City
10th Dec
Atletico de Kolkata vs. FC Goa
NorthEast United FC vs. Mumbai City FC
We will now look at the chances for each team based on their current league position
Atletico de Kolkata
Atletico were almost sure of making it into the final 4 but a state of poor results has left them looking over their shoulders, their destiny is still in their hands as long as they win against Goa on the final day. If all the other games end in a draw, then Atletico de Kolkata will qualify even if they lose but if they draw against the Goans, then the Chennaiyin vs. Delhi game and the Kerala vs. Pune game should have ended in draws to take the Kolkata team through.
Delhi Dynamos FC
The form team in the ISL, Delhi looked dead and buried a few weeks into the season but have been rejuvenated by the form of Gustavo. It is simple for Delhi, if they win they go through, even if they draw they can qualify as long as the teams below them do not win, however if they do draw, Kerala or Pune win, then they need to hope that Goa defeat Atletico.
Kerala Blasters FC
Kerala have it all to do, they need to win their game and hope either Atletico or Delhi lose their respective game. Kerala have the advantage of playing at home in their final game. They could qualify if they draw against Pune and Delhi lose their game by at least 5 goals.
FC Pune City
Another team which needs a miracle to qualify, Pune are on 16 points like Kerala but are below them due to goal difference. They need either Atletico or Delhi to lose their games and they need to win against Kerala Blasters.
Mumbai City FC
Mumbai City FC plays the last game of the round and would know what they need to do, they need to beat NorthEast United and hope that Kerala and Pune end in a draw with Delhi lose to Chennaiyin. If either Kerala or Pune win, then Mumbai need Delhi to get only one point or less against Chennaiyin and Atletico de Kolkata to lose their final game.
NorthEast United FC
They have the hardest task from all the other teams, NorthEast have to beat Mumbai by at least 3 goals and hope that Delhi lose to Chennaiyin FC and also need the Kerala- Pune game to end in a draw.
Picture courtesy: Backpagefootball, Indiansuperleague.com & Footyfair