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With just a week to go, the race to securing a spot in the playoffs of the Indian Super League (ISL) has heated up like never before. While three teams, Bengaluru FC, FC Pune City and Chennaiyin FC have already ensured a top-4 finish, three other teams are still in the reckoning for the fourth and final spot.
FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC and Kerala Blasters are the teams vying for the final spot. Here, we will discuss where each team stands and what they need to do to qualify for the playoffs.
#1 FC Goa
As things stand, the Virat Kohli-co-owned side are in the best position to secure a place in the top 4. FC Goa, who are currently on 24 points from 16 matches, will have to play ATK and Jamshedpur in their final two matches.
While two wins from the two matches will inarguably guarantee the Gaurs a place in the playoffs, should they beat ATK and churn out a draw against Jamshedpur, they will still go through. In that case, their total points will be 28 from 18 matches, which of course, Kerala Blasters can match with a win against Bengaluru.
However, Goa has beaten Kerala in both their matches this season, and the superior head-to-head record will see them through.
#2 Jamshedpur FC
After a slow start to the campaign, ISL debutants Jamshedpur FC started gathering some momentum by stringing together some narrow victories. However, they happened to meet league leaders Bengaluru FC last Sunday, a match in which they lost 0-2, thus hindering their top-4 chase.
At the moment, they are placed fourth on the table with 26 points from 17 matches. Their final match is against FC Goa whom they host on the last day of the league fixtures.
The equation, for them, is pretty simple. Beat Goa, qualify for the playoffs. Defeating Goa will take Jamshedpur up to 29 points and even if the Gaurs beat ATK, they will be stranded on 27 points, while the best Kerala can manage is 28.
#3 Kerala Blasters
The way Kerala had started out the season under Rene Meulensteen, even the biggest of fans would not have hoped that they would live to fight until the very last. However, with the re-appointment of David James, their fortunes turned for the better.
Currently sitting in the fifth spot with 25 points from 17 matches, Kerala have the slimmest of chances of making it to the playoffs. However, they can still hope against hope, if a few results go their way.
For them to qualify, firstly, ATK have to beat FC Goa later today. Then, of course, they have to win against Bengaluru in their own backyard. Given they achieve that mammoth task, it still won't guarantee them a place in the playoffs. In the final match of the league fixtures, only if Goa beat Jamshedpur then the Blasters will qualify.
