ISL 2023-24: Six Clubs Fighting For One Playoff Spot - Who Is Favourite To Qualify?

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The race for the top six in the ISL 2023-24 has started to heat up. Usually, the trend for qualifying for the knockouts remains with the top-placed teams. However, in the Indian Super League, it is quite the opposite.

While the top-placed teams - Odisha FC, FC Goa, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai City FC, and Mohun Bagan have more or less secured their spot, only one place remains for the top six. As a result, six teams will fight for the last spot in the knockouts.

These include teams like NorthEast United, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Chennaiyin FC, East Bengal and Punjab FC. It should be noted that bottom-placed Hyderabad FC don’t have a chance of making it to the top six.

The Nizams are depleted to the core and are without any foreigner amongst their mix. The team in Yellow has failed to register a solitary win this season and languishes at the bottom with four points.

Each of the teams that are placed from the sixth to the 11th spot has an equal chance of making it to the knockouts. Surprisingly, these six teams are separated by just four points. Thus, two positive results for a side can work wonders for them.

NorthEast United has a big chance of making it to the next stage, as does Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal. The Marina Machans have played fewer games compared to the rest, as does the Red and Gold brigade from Kolkata.

East Bengal boasts of having a strong lineup, despite their injury crisis. But Carles Cuadrat can lead his boys for their maiden ISL knockouts if everything goes according to plan for the El Professor.

Punjab FC and Bengaluru FC too are unwilling to go down without a fight. The ISL debutant recently shocked Kerala Blasters with a 3-1 comeback and is determined to keep up their fighting spirit. The Bengaluru Blues led by India skipper Sunil Chhetri are also primed to go for the last stage, given they were one of the finalists last season.

Khalid Jamil’s Jamshedpur are placed 8th on the table having played an extra game. But with results going their way, the Men of Steel can easily force a way around to find their way into the next stage.