The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is witnessing a thrilling battle among teams vying for the coveted League Shield. With just six points separating the top four teams and four points separating the next four, the competition is fierce as the league nears its conclusion. Mumbai City FC leads the standings, followed closely by Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. FC Goa, though facing an uphill task, is still in contention. Each team has specific requirements to secure the League Shield, setting the stage for an exciting climax to the season.
Key highlights of each team in this season.
Mumbai City FC
Position: 1, Matches played: 20, Points: 44
Fixtures Remaining: Odisha FC (H), Mohun Bagan Super Giant (A)
What MCFC need to win the League Shield?
Mumbai City FC is currently leading the pack in the ISL with 44 points from 20 matches. To clinch the League Shield, they just need to secure two draws in their remaining fixtures against Odisha FC (home) and Mohun Bagan Super Giant (away). This would take their total points to 46, out of reach for FC Goa and Odisha FC. Even if Mohun Bagan SG matches their tally by winning both their games, Mumbai City FC will prevail due to their head-to-head advantage. However, if Mumbai City FC wins against Odisha FC and Mohun Bagan SG fails to win any of their next two matches, they can secure the title earlier. Yet, if Mumbai City FC loses to Mohun Bagan SG after beating Odisha FC and the Mariners win their preceding matches, they will fall short of claiming the Shield.
Odisha FC
Position: 2, Matches played: 20, Points: 39
Fixtures Remaining: Mumbai City FC (A), NorthEast United FC (A)
What OFC need to win the League Shield?
Odisha FC, currently at second place with 39 points from 20 matches, is still in the race for the League Shield. To secure the title, they must defeat Mumbai City FC in their upcoming match and rely on Mohun Bagan SG dropping four points while hoping Mumbai City FC doesn't beat Mohun Bagan SG in the final game. Alternatively, if Mohun Bagan SG only drops three points and Odisha FC doesn't get surpassed by them on goal difference, they can still win the Shield. However, Odisha FC's hopes will be dashed if they fail to defeat Mumbai City FC. They need to ensure Mumbai City FC doesn't exceed 45 points to keep their chances alive.
Mohun Bagan Super Giant,
Position: 3, Matches played: 19, Points: 39
Fixtures Remaining: Punjab FC (A), Bengaluru FC (A), Mumbai City FC (H)
What does MBSG need to win the League Shield? -
Mohun Bagan Super Giant (MBSG), currently in third place with 39 points from 19 matches, still has a chance to win the League Shield. However, they must win all their remaining matches to secure the title. If they fail to beat either Punjab FC or Bengaluru FC in their next two matches and Mumbai City FC defeats Odisha FC, their chances will diminish. Alternatively, they can win the Shield by winning their next two matches and drawing against Mumbai City FC in the final match, provided Mumbai City FC loses to Odisha FC in their next match.
FC Goa.
Position: 4, Matches Played: 19, Points: 36
Fixtures Remaining: Hyderabad FC (H), Jamshedpur FC (A), Chennaiyin FC (H)
What does FC Goa need to win the League Shield?
FC Goa, currently in fourth place with 36 points from 19 matches, faces a challenging path to win the League Shield. To achieve this, they must win all their remaining matches. Additionally, they need Mumbai City FC to lose both their matches and Mohun Bagan Super Giant to drop points in one of their matches against either Punjab FC or Bengaluru FC. FC Goa holds a better head-to-head record against Mohun Bagan SG and Hyderabad FC, which could be advantageous if tied on points. However, they have a lower goal difference compared to Mumbai City FC, which they must improve if they tie on 45 points each. This scenario is unlikely, so FC Goa's best chance of winning the Shield is if Mumbai City FC doesn't earn any more points and Mohun Bagan SG lose one of their remaining two matches.
