ISL season three is up and running with all the eight teams still having a chance to reach the knockout stages. Fans have seen some spectacular individual performances and some enthralling games which were decided in the final few moments. Delhi are leading the pack at the moment while Zico's men are reeling at the bottom after a disastrous start.
Some Indian players have caught the eye while some experienced one have flopped this campaign. Youngsters like Kean Lewis have done well along with a few new foreign names.
So let's take a look at the 5 fan favourites from this edition of Indian Super League :
#5 Mohammed Sissoko - FC Pune City
The Malian was brought in as a last-minute replacement for Eidur Gudjohnsen who suffered a season-ending injury before the first game. Sissoko, the youngest marquee signing of this season has adjusted well to the demands of Indian football. He missed Pune's first game against Mumbai but has started all the remaining five games for the Stallions.
Playing in his favoured defensive midfielder position, Sissoko has brought much-needed solidity in the centre of the park which has enabled Pune to still be in the race to reach their first ever semi-finals.
The 31-year-old is currently the player with the most tackles and most interceptions for a midfielder this season and may be one of Pune's most inspired signing ever.
#4 Javi Lara - Atletico De Kolkata
In a team which has star strikers like Iain Hume and Helder Postiga, winger Javi Lara has made a special place for himself in ATK supporters' hearts. The winger has taken the league by surprise with his consistent performances for Jose Molina’s side which has propelled them to a comfortable position in the top four.
Lara and Sameehg Doutie have been sensational, to say the least for Kolkata and it is their immense work rate which has made matters easy for Hume to score freely again.
The Spanish midfielder has the most shots on target this season and his dead ball ability is one of the best in the league.
#3 Matias Defederico - Mumbai City FC
The Blues had a change of fortunes this campaign as coach Alexandre Guimaraes has made this Mumbai side into a strong unit on all fronts. Defederico has made a strong impact on this side as he is the link which has made transitions easy for Mumbai.
Now with the arrival of Sunil Chhetri into this side, this Mumbai side is turning into a strong team for any opposition.
Diego Forlan has also made his contribution known to the side but Defederico's overall contribution has been immense for Mumbai. His tracking back is worth mentioning along with his vision in the final third. Defederico along with Chhetri and Forlan is evolving into a deadly trio of ISL season three.
#2 Marcelo Pereira - Delhi Dynamos
Undoubtedly, Delhi is the best side to watch this season as the Dynamos have scored the most goals this campaign with a whopping 18 goals. The league's joint topper, Marcelinho, has taken the league by storm with five goals and is one of the most favourite player for supporters around India.
The attacking unit of the Dynamos have done wonders for them as they sit on the summit of the Hero ISL.
Florent Malouda, Marcelinho and Richard Gadze along with Kean Lewis have done brilliantly for manager Zambrotta as Delhi, for the first time, are looking like favourites to win this edition of India's biggest footballing carnival.
#1 CK Vineeth - Kerala Blasters
CK Vineeth’s much-awaited return has transformed the Blasters into serious title challengers this year after a slow start to the season. The local boy from Kerala has been present in every positive move for Kerala and has helped his side to two wins in just 112 minutes of football this season.
The Bengaluru FC player scored a late winner for the Blasters against FC Goa. He then scored a stunning brace against Chennaiyin FC, enabled their stunning comeback victory against the reigning champions in the hotly contested second south Indian derby of the season. He averages a goal every 37.3 minutes, which is the best in Hero ISL 2016.
Vineeth's celebration after scoring has enthralled the football-mad fans in Kerala and the Blasters man has established himself as one of the most popular Indian players this season.
