The best way to judge a league is by its unpredictability. The best leagues around the world - the English Premier League, Serie A, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc. - are known for their competitiveness and offer no or very less for the pundits to predict. All these leagues have become a folklore of the football culture and enjoy unprecedented following and success.
In that respect, the Indian Super League (ISL) is still a fair way off the mark.
Despite the, the ISL has been successful in generating some never-seen-before excitement for the beautiful game in India. And ISL being among the most followed leagues in the world is a fact that can't be ignored.
Like the inaugural season, there have been some really surprising results in the ISL Season 2 as well, and it’s still risky to predict the top four.
After seven weeks and 44 matches, the league stands wide open and the race to the semis is far from finished, but still some interesting scenarios emerge based on form and how the teams have turned up so far.
Heading into the final phase of the round-robin phase, IBNLive takes a look at the equation as to which teams stand a chance of securing a berth in the semi-finals.
Atletico de Kolkata: The defending champions, who share the same bloodline with former La Liga champions Atletico Madrid, are the only team who have one foot in the semis. The team, co-owned by former India cricketer and a popular figure in Indian sports, Sourav Ganguly, is at the top of the league table with 20 points from 12 matches.
The team started the season on a high with two wins in first three matches. However, loss of their marquee player, Portuguese Helder Postiga, due to injury derailed them in the middle with the team catapulting to three losses on the trot. But their Spanish DNA soon scripted a turnaround and grab favourable results. They now have a four-match unbeaten streak and need to win one of their two matches to cement a spot in the semis and even a draw can see them through depending on results in other games. Postiga's return from injury and the timely return to form by Canadian striker Iain Hume have also boosted their confidence.
FC Goa: Goa is another Indian territory that swears by its football. With some of country's top football clubs, the state has for long been one of the best breeding grounds for the game in India. In ISL too, FC Goa has been one of the better teams that has been able to perform consistently. Coached by legendary Brazilian player Zico, the team has displayed some top-class football and tactical brilliance in every department of the game.
After 11 matches, the team has 18 points with 5 wins, 3 losses and as many draws. The Goans can fancy their chances of making it to the semis if they can win two out of their remaining three matches. However, their last league game against Delhi Dynamos will be a crucial one as there's not much of a difference between both the teams with goal difference being the only thing separating them.
Delhi Dynamos FC: Having missed out on the semis last season by a whisker, Delhi displayed an improved brand of football right from the beginning of the season. The team, coached by one of the all-time best left-backs and former Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos, has been one of the best teams in terms of defending and have let the least number of goals go through their post.
After 10 matches, Delhi are at the third spot with 18 points and are trailing Goa on the basis of goal difference. However, Delhi have an advantage in hand, having played less number of matches compared to all the other teams in top-four. Delhi just need one win and a draw to see them through to the semis. In fact, the Carlos army can also leapfrog Goa and Kolkata to the top spot if they manage to win all their remaining games.
NorthEast United FC: Another part in India's diverse land where football is more than just a game is the north-east. The region comprises seven states, mostly known as the Seven Sisters, and has produced some of the legends of Indian football. Former India captain Baichung Bhutia and the current poster boy of Indian football Sunil Chhetri hail from the north-east and have been great ambassadors of the game.
The team that finished at the bottom of the league table last season are now at the fourth place with 16 points from 11 games. After losing the opening three games, football pundits ruled NorthEast United FC out of contention for a place in the semi-finals. However, the Cesar Farias-led side has put together an impressive run of late, racking up some vital points on the road. The return of marquee man Simao Sabrosa from injury has also proved to be a galvanising point for the NorthEast. However, with the fight for the top four extremely tight and competitive, the Highlanders will need to be consistent if they were to seal a spot in the final four at the end of league phase. They have to win at least two of their three remaining matches to be sure of their semis spot.
Pune and Chennai battling it out: With all four semis spots still up for grabs, FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC, who are placed 5th and 6th placed on the table, also stand a chance provided they manage to win all their remaining matches and hope that others who are in the top four lose most of theirs. While Atletico de Kolkata, FC Goa and Delhi Dynamos are almost certain of qualifying for the last four, it's a tough battle between NorthEast United FC, FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC for the last spot. Northeast United and Pune will be up against each other on December 2 and the result of this match might well prove to be the deciding factor.
Mumbai City FC and Kerala Blasters FC virtually out: The bottom two teams - Mumbai City FC and last year's finalists Kerala Blasters, FC are virtually out of the semis race. While Mumbai, who have 12 points from 11 games, are at 7th spot, Kerala are occupying the last spot with 11 points from 11 matches. Even if they manage to win their remaining matches, their embarrassing goal difference will block their path to the last four.
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