The Indian Super League (ISL 2019-20) is into the final week of the league stage and an exciting race for the top spot and the final play-off places take centrestage.
ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC are involved in a batte for the League Winner's Shield and the AFC Champions League group stage spot.
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Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City are the only two teams to have qualified for the playoffs while three teams -- FC Goa, Hyderabad FC and NorthEast United FC -- are still in contention for the last two playoffs place.
Ahead of the final week's fixtures, Sportstar takes a look at the possible scenarios for these six clubs involved.
If any of the below teams finish level on points, their positions will be determined in this order: 1) Most number of points compiled in league matches between the concerned clubs. 2) Superior goal difference resulting from league matches between the concerned clubs. 3) Most number of goals scored in the league matches between the concerned clubs. 4) Superior goal difference in the league stage. 5) Most number of goals scored in the league stage. 6) Highest fair play ranking. 7) Drawing of lots by the league. |
(Scenario updated after Feb. 23)
ATK Mohun Bagan (vs Mumbai City FC) - Position: 1 | 40 points
The Kolkata giant has a six-point advantage over second-placed Mumbai City, which face each other in the final league stage game. If Mumbai fails to beat Odisha FC, Mohun Bagan will be guaranteed to finish top. If Mumbai beats Odisha, then Antonio Habas' side would need to avoid defeat in the final game to seal top spot.
Mumbai City FC (vs Odisha FC, vs ATK Mohun Bagan) - Position: 2 | 34 points
A win for Mumbai against Odisha will set up a final day showdown between the top-two sides for the No. 1 spot.
In the possibility that Mohun Bagan and Mumbai finish level on points, Sergio Lobra's men will take the top spot due to the head-to-head tie-breaker. Mumbai beat ATK Mohun Bagan 1-0 in the reverse fixture.
FC Goa (vs Hyderabad FC) - Position: 3 | 30 points
Goa has one foot in the playoffs place and requires just a point from its final game against Hyderabad on Sunday.
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NorthEast United FC (vs Kerala Blasters) - Position: 4 | 30 points
Khalid Jamil's men needs just a point in their final game against Kerala to make the playoff place. In the event, that Hyderabad and NorthEast finish level on points (they both go through), the former has a superior head-to-head record and will finish above NEUFC. If NEUFC loses its last game and finishes level on points with Goa, goal difference between the two sides will decide the qualifier. And if Goa beats Hyderabad, NEUFC will go through regardless.
| Position | Clubs | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1. | ATK Mohun Bagan | 19 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 13 | 15 | 40 |
| 2. | Mumbai City FC | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 17 | 10 | 34 |
| 3. | FC Goa | 19 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 31 | 23 | 8 | 30 |
| 4 | NorthEast United FC | 19 | 7 | 9 | 3 | 29 | 25 | 4 | 30 |
| 5. | Hyderabad FC | 19 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 27 | 19 | 8 | 28 |
Hyderabad FC (vs FC Goa) - Position: 5 | 28 points
If Hyderabad beats Goa in the final game of the season, then it will finish higher than Goa.