ISL 2018-19: Predictions for top four - Who all can make it?

The excitement of the Indian Super League is back. After a gap of 40 days, the glitzy football tournament will return this week, with Kerala Blasters hosting ATK at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on January 25.

This is the first time that the ISL is having a mid-season break. The league was stopped for a brief period in October and November as India played China and Jordan in international friendlies, before it went into a long break for the Asian Cup.

India crashed out in the group stage itself. The players are back in the country and received some much-deserved rest before resuming their club duties.

As the ISL is coming to its business end, the teams would try to finish within the top four to secure a berth in the semifinals. However, the fight is only between the top six teams as four teams, including defending champions Chennaiyin FC, have little or no chance to qualify.

Bengaluru and Mumbai City are in pole position but it needs to be seen how Jamshedpur FC and ATK fare in the second phase of the league. They are placed fifth and sixth respectively and a few positive results would turn the fortune in their favour.

Let us look at the teams who could finish within top four:

---

#4 Bengaluru FC

Miku has returned from injury for Bengaluru FC

The runners-up from the previous edition, Bengaluru FC, have dominated the ISL this season too. With 27 points from 11 matches, Bengaluru remain the only team in the ISL not to have lost a single match. Moreover, Bengaluru have played a game less than most of their opponents, which is definitely an advantage for them going into the second phase of the league.

Bengaluru, who impressed in the previous edition, are desperate to win the trophy this time. So far, they have not put a foot wrong in the league. Winning against FC Goa and a hard-earned draw against Mumbai City FC have only boosted their confidence.

They received a major boost as Venezuelan striker Miku, who was sidelined for six matches due to injury, returned to join the side a few days ago. Though he posted a cryptic message on his Instagram account, hinting that he may return to join a Latin American side, the move is unlikely to happen anytime soon. Bengaluru will likely reap the benefits of his service until the league is over.

However, the two-time I-League champions have a task to cut out in their opening two matches. They would face Mumbai City in their first match after the break on January 27 and host NorthEast United three days later.

Both Mumbai and NorthEast are among the top four teams as of now and a favourable result would see Bengaluru securing their knockout berth. The next three matches will be against the bottom four side and considering Bengaluru’s performance, it would be nothing more than a cakewalk for them.

Also see : Fantasy Premier League , Fantasy Premier League Tips, EPL Transfer News

#3 FC Goa

Can Corominas score more goals for FC Goa?

The other team apart from Bengaluru FC to finish the mid-season break with 11 matches is FC Goa. Like Bengaluru, they are also in their top form and a knock-out berth is theirs to lose.

To ensure they move into the ISL semis, FC Goa need to consistent. Their coach Sergio Lobera is strong believer of attacking football and the players have shown that on the field. With 27 goals, they are the highest-scoring side of this league.

But the defenders have not given their best. They were thrashed 1-4 against Jamshedpur FC and lost 0-2 to then bottom-placed side FC Pune City, which lowered their confidence. Before the second phase resumes, Lobera has to plug-in some holes to prevent damages.

Goa will face four teams who are among the top six in their remaining matches. Among them, the match against Mumbai City, Bengaluru FC and ATK will be vital. If they produce good results in these fixtures, they will surely finish among the top four.

#2 Mumbai City FC

Mumbai City are unbeaten since a 5-0 loss to FC Goa

The most surprising bunch among all the top teams is surely Mumbai City FC. They don’t have the biggest names in their team.

But individual brilliance and a coach who knows his players well have helped them move up to second on the table. They were unbeaten for eight matches before the league went into break.

But the real task starts from now. After a gap of these many days, it would be really hard to keep the momentum and the coach has to play a role in ensuring Mumbai City deliver the same kind of performance. They have loaned out Bikramjit Singh and Shouvik Ghosh but have acquired no one.

Add to that, they will play five of their remaining six matches against top six sides, the results of which will decide their fate. But given their past performance, it would not be difficult for them if they perform well in their opening match against Bengaluru.

Mumbai are in a favourable position in terms of their points and six or eight more would secure them a top-four finish.

#1 ATK

ATK roped in Edu Garcia to boost their attack

Sitting in the sixth position on the points table, one may wonder how ATK can qualify for the top four when teams like NorthEast United and Jamshedpur are ahead of them. However, ATK can make it possible, given the players they have in their hand.

ATK made the most in the January transfer window. They roped in former Bengaluru FC striker Edu Garcia from Chinese club Zheijiang Greentown FC. Garcia made headlines when he became the first footballer from Indian football to be sold to a foreign club with a hefty transfer fee.

Garcia mainly plays as a left winger but can double up as a striker. His presence will benefit the team as far as their attacking is concerned. Captain Manuel Lanzarote, who took all the burden, can now play more freely in the field.

Also, they signed right-back Pritam Kotal from Delhi Dynamos. Kotal has been impressive this season with Dynamos and the Indian national team. His overlaps can create danger in the opponent’s half.

ATK will play three home games and if they make the most of these opportunities, they will surely finish in the top four.