ISL 2023-24: League Winners Shield race and playoffs scenarios explained

The Indian Super League (ISL) is approaching it’s final phase of the league stage fixtures. The race for the ISL playoffs is heating up, with two more spots still up for grabs and seven teams in contention. Mumbai City FC, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Odisha FC and FC Goa have already qualified for the playoffs.

Kerala Blasters, Jamshedpur FC, Punjab FC, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United, East Bengal and Chennaiyin FC are the seven teams in contention for the last two spots.

Let’s now take a look at the updated ISL playoff scenarios and what the top teams need to secure the League Winners Shield:

Mumbai City FC (Already qualified to playoffs)

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League position: 1 (Played: 19, points: 39)

Remaining matches: vs Hyderabad FC (1 April), vs Odisha FC (8 April) , vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant (14 April)

Mumbai have qualified for the playoffs but the League Winners Shield is not guaranteed. They are currently on top of table on basis of goal difference despite Mohun Bagan also having same number of points from just 18 matches. Mumbai have a game left with Mohun Bagan, so they will clinch the League Winners Shield if they win all their remaining matches. With a superior head-to-head record to Mohun Bagan, Mumbai is guaranteed of top spot if they win all their matches.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Already qualified to playoffs)

League position: 2 (Played: 18, points: 39)

Remaining matches: vs Chennaiyin FC (31 March), vs Bengaluru FC (11 April), vs Mumbai City FC (14 April)

Mohun Bagan are the only team which can reach 51 points in 2023-24 season of ISL which means victories in all matches will guarantee them League Winners Shield. Mohun Bagan can also win the Shield with one defeat and three wins in their next four matches, but they will need to have a better goal difference than Mumbai.

FC Goa (Already qualified for playoffs)

League position: 3 (Played: 19, points: 36)

Remaining matches: vs Hyderabad FC (5 April), vs Jamshedpur FC (9 April), vs Chennaiyin FC (14 April)

Goa will need to win all their remaining matches and hope Mohun Bagan drop six points, Mumbai drop three points and Odisha FC drop two points for them to have any chance of grabbing the League Winners Shield. Even in such a scenario, Goa will need to have a better goal difference than other teams.

Odisha FC (Already qualified to playoffs)

League position: 4 (Played: 18, points: 35)

Remaining matches: vs Bengaluru FC (30 March), vs Punjab FC (2 April), vs Mumbai City FC (8 April), vs NorthEast United (13 April)

Odisha FC have four matches and they can reach a maximum of 47 points which is less than what Mumbai and Mohun Bagan can achieve. Hence Odisha need to win all their matches and hope Mumbai drop at least two points, while Mohun Bagan drop four points. Even in such a scenario, Odisha will need a better goal difference.

Kerala Blasters

League position: 5 (Played: 18, points: 29)

Remaining matches: vs Jamshedpur FC (30 March), vs East Bengal FC (3 April), vs NorthEast United (6 April), vs Hyderabad FC (12 April)

Kerala Blasters are still alive in the League Winners Shield race but Mumbai City or Mohun Bagan need just one win to end the hopes for the team from Southern India. However, just one win will be enough for Kerala Blasters to book a playoff spot.

Jamshedpur FC

League position: 6 (Played: 19, points: 21)

Remaining matches: vs Kerala Blasters (30 March), vs Chennaiyin FC (4 April), vs FC Goa (9 April)

Jamshedpur FC are out of League Winners Shield race but for playoff spot, they have to win their remaining three matches to have any hope. They should also hope Bengaluru, Punjab and Chennaiyin drop points.

Punjab FC

League position: 7 (Played: 19, points: 21)

Remaining matches: vs Odisha FC (2 April), vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant (6 April), vs East Bengal FC (10 April)

The equation is pretty simple for Punjab FC. Punjab, who are in seventh place with 21 points, need to win all of their remaining matches to reach playoffs besides hoping that Jamshedpur. Bengaluru and Chennaiyin drop points. Punjab cannot win League Winners Shield.

Bengaluru FC

League position: 8 (Played: 19, points: 21)

Remaining fixtures: vs Odisha FC (30 March), vs East Bengal FC (7 April), vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant (11 April)

Bengaluru FC are in eighth place with 21 points and are in a precarious position with only three points separating them with Chennaiyin in 11th place. BFC need to win their remaining matches and hope Jamshedpur, Punjab and Chennaiyin lose one match each or at least drop points respectively. Bengaluru cannot win League Winners Shield.

NorthEast United

League position: 9 (Played: 19, points: 20)

Remaining matches: vs Kerala Blasters FC (6 April), vs Chennaiyin FC (9 April), vs Odisha FC (13 April)

They face must-win situation in each of their remaining three matches to reach playoff. They should also hope Jamshedpur, Bengaluru, Punjab and Chennaiyin drop points. NorthEast cannot win League Winners Shield.

East Bengal FC

League position: 10 (Played: 19, points: 18)

Remaining matches: vs Kerala Blasters (3 April), vs Bengaluru FC (7 April), vs Punjab FC (10 April)

If Kerala Blasters add a single more point to their tally then East Bengal can at best finish sixth. In such a case to reach playoffs they will need to win each of their remaining matches and hope that Chennaiyin, Jamshedpur, Punjab and Bengaluru lose one of their matches, while NorthEast drop a minimum of two points. East Bengal cannot win League Winners Shield.

Chennaiyin FC

League position: 11 (Played: 18, points: 18)

Remaining matches: vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant (31 March), vs Jamshedpur FC (4 April), vs NorthEast United (9 April), vs FC Goa (14 April)

Best case scenario for Chennaiyin is to win all four matches and hope that Jamshedpur, Punjab and Bengaluru drop some points. Chennaiyin cannot win League Winners Shield.

Hyderabad FC is out of League Winners Shield and playoffs race.