The 2024-25 ISL season has reached its business end, with around a month of league stage fixtures left before the playoffs commence in mid-March.
It has been a competitive season, as this league always seems to produce. As it stands, the 13 teams have all played at least 19 of their allotted 24 league games, and only Mohammedan SC are out of contention for the playoffs. MSC have only managed 11 points from 19 games, in what has turned into a troubled debut ISL campaign.
For the other 12 teams, there is all to play for in the next month, although that could change for a couple of teams, who need more than just a miracle for them to make it to the playoffs. Here's how each team stands at the moment --
#1 Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Q)
Current Points: 56 in 24 games
Goal Difference: +31
A perfect, record-breaking campaign has seen Mohun Bagan become the first team to defend the League Shield title - after a last-gasp win over Odisha FC courtesy Dimi Petratos. The best team in the league.
Remaining Matches: None
#2 FC Goa (Q)
Current Points: 48 in 24 games
Goal Difference: +18
A month or so ago, FC Goa fans may have looked at that last league away to Bagan as a shield-decider, but Bagan have just been way too good. The shield went for Goa, but they missed out on reaching 50 points after the loss to Bagan in their last game. .
Remaining Matches: None
#3 NorthEast United FC (Q)
Current Points: 38 in 24 games
Goal Difference: +17
With their league stage matches now done, NorthEast will wait on the result of Chennaiyin's match against Jamshedpur. Just a point will take Khalid Jamil's side into the top four at NorthEast's expense. If Chennaiyin win, NorthEast will finish in the top four, and by virtue of that, will guarantee themselves a home game in the knockout playoff round. .
Remaining Matches: None
#4 Bengaluru FC (Q)
Current Points: 38 in 24 games
Goal Difference: +9
After a disastrous January, Bengaluru picked up the points they needed in February, with ten points in their last four matches. They are guaranteed a spot in the top four, and that last game against Mumbai City FC at the Kanteerava now has no consequence for them, except potentially eliminating Mumbai City.
Remaining Matches: Mumbai City FC (H)
#5 Jamshedpur FC (Q)
Current Points: 38 in 24 games
Goal Difference: -6
Just a couple of weeks ago, there was a thought that Jamshedpur could be the ones to really push Bagan for the shield. Losses to Hyderabad, Bengaluru and NorthEast United have snuffed that thought out. However, they have taken a step closer to making it to the playoffs after beating Mohammedan SC 2-0. Bagan's win over Odisha also saw Jamshedpur qualify for the playoffs. However, their loss to Chennaiyin ensured they had no chance remaining of finishing in the top four.
Remaining Matches: None.
#6 Mumbai City FC (Q)
Current Points: 36 in 24 games
Goal Difference: 2
Mumbai City have struggled to score goals all season, and in a match they needed to simply draw, they lost after a damp display against Kerala Blasters. However, they held their nerve to win their league stage match of the season against Bengaluru FC to seal their spot in the top 6.
Remaining Matches: None.
#7 Odisha FC
Current Points: 33 in 24 games
Goal Difference: +7
Their season has been a peculiar one, but not particularly difficult to describe. The average age of their foreigners has caught up with them this season. This hasn't been the lively, attacking Sergio Lobera side we've seen for years in the ISL and that drop in pace and intensity has been seen in their results. Mumbai winning their last match means Odisha are out of the playoffs
Remaining Matches: None.
#8 Kerala Blasters (E)
Current Points: 31 in 23 games
Goal Difference: -4
The chance they'd given themselves earlier slipped away as they dropped to ninth after a 1-1 draw at home to Jamshedpur FC ended their hopes of making the playoffs with two games to go.
Remaining Matches: Hyderabad FC (A)
#9 East Bengal (E)
Current Points: 28 in 24 games
Goal Difference: -6
At no point in this season has it felt like East Bengal have ever clearly threatened the top six positions. They nearly appeared to be pulling off a miracle against Bengaluru FC, but a late penalty ensured they were eliminated from contention.
Remaining Matches: None.
#10 Punjab FC (E)
Current Points: 28 in 24 games
Goal Difference: -4
A season that began so promisingly for Punjab has gone a little pear-shaped. The 1-2 loss to Chennaiyin eliminated them from playoff contention.
Remaining Matches: None.
#11 Chennaiyin FC (E)
Current Points: 27 in 23 games
Goal Difference: -5
Last season's excellent playoff run and what looked like a good summer transfer window hasn't translated to on-pitch results for Owen Coyle and Chennaiyin. A late winless run and a loss to Bengaluru FC confirmed their elimination from playoff contention.
Remaining Matches: None
#12 Hyderabad FC (E)
Current Points: 17 in 23 games
Goal Difference: -25
It's been a tough season for Hyderabad, even if it has been better than last season. They've had their moments, like the win away in Kerala and at home against Jamshedpur. NorthEast's win over Jamshedpur and their loss to Odisha saw them drop out of contention for the playoff spots.
Remaining Matches: Kerala Blasters (H)