The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) returns for its fourth season on November 17 in a brand-new avatar that will see 10 teams play 95 games over four gruelling months for the coveted crown. With the addition of two new teams – Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC – this season, we can expect never-before seen fixtures and rivalries that’s sure to augment the drama, emotion, and narrative on the pitch. On the other hand, the established powerhouses of the league will also be keen to stamp their authority on the new-comers from the get go. Here, we have a look at the compelling encounters in the first week of the league, which will be expected to set the tone for the remainder of the season.17 November: ATK vs Kerala Blasters FCThe first match of the fourth season will see two-time winners and defending champions ATK take on two-time finalists Kerala Blasters. Kolkata have had the better of Kerala in the recent past and will have the edge come opening day in front of their raucous fans at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium. The Blasters though will have a point to prove after the ignominy of a second loss in the final against ATK last year. The Blasters will also boast the services of the Hero ISL’s all-time leading goal-scorer Iain Hume, who will be making a return to his former employers with whom he was crowned champion last season. And if that isn’t enough to whet the appetite, then the time-served rivalry between ATK’s Robbie Keane and Kerala’s Dimitar Berbatov – former strike partners at Tottenham Hotspur – surely will.18 November: NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FCDebutants Jamshedpur FC will be making their bow against eastern rivals NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. Jamshedpur have gone about their recruitment in an efficient manner with former Kerala head coach, Steve Coppell at the helm. Coppell went about his business in off season in astute fashion, targeting players with Hero ISL pedigree. Sameehg Doutie and Jose Luis Espinosa Arroyo (Tiri) have already lifted the prestigious trophy with ATK and are certain to bring a winning mentality with them. Mehtab Hossain and Kervens Belfort who both played under Coppell last year are also a part of Jamshedpur. Andre Bikey, Anas Edathodika and Bikash Jairu are just a few more familiar names in the Jamshedpur squad. However, beating NorthEast in front of their passionate supporters is no mean task as Coppell can attest for. In fact, the last time the Englishman travelled to Guwahati, he ended up on the losing side with Kerala in what was coincidentally his own Hero ISL debut.19 November: Chennaiyin FC vs FC GoaA fixture that needs no introduction, Chennai versus Goa is always a high-octane clash filled with flashpoints. Ever since Chennaiyin’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Goa in the 2015 final, this match-up has always had plenty riding on it. Last season saw Chennai beat the Gaurs 2-0 at home in what was a pretty physical encounter to put it mildly. Their second match was even more extraordinary and ended as the highest-scoring game in the history of the league at the end of the 90 minutes. In keeping with what matches between these two teams have been characterized by in the past, Goa edged past Chennai 5-4 as the pendulum of fortune swung multiple times. Own goals, penalties and stunning free-kicks were just some of the ingredients that made the match so riveting. However, it was young Sahil Tavora who stole the show with an absolute belter of a strike to clinch the game in the dying moments. With both sides keen for a good start and renewed hostilities, we can expect another thrill-a-minute ride.19 November: Bengaluru FC vs Mumbai City FCAnother Hero ISL debutant Bengaluru FC will face Mumbai City FC – who were toppers after the league stage last year – in the second match of the opening Sunday. Unlike Jamshedpur though, Bengaluru won’t be newcomers in the Indian football circuit. The Blues have a rich history of winning silverware in every year since their inception and will be gunning for glory on Indian football’s grandest stage this time around. India’s all-time leading scorer Sunil Chhetri will be spearheading their attack against Mumbai, who he was a part of in the previous two editions of the league. It will be interesting to see how he gets on against his former side for whom he ended as top-scorer in the second edition of the league, while also becoming the first domestic hat-trick scorer with them that year. It will undoubtedly be an emotional occasion for the 33-year-old, which will only make the fixture even more interesting for the viewers to watch.22 November: FC Pune City vs Delhi Dynamos FCChhetri, however, won’t be the only star taking on their former side in their opening match of the season. Last season’s Golden Boot winner with Delhi Dynamos FC, Marcelinho, will also be facing his former employers in FC Pune City colours at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune. The Brazilian attacker was the driving force in Delhi’s campaign last year, scoring 10 times while also turning provider on five occasions. He will be hoping to achieve something similar with the Stallions this year as the Maharashtra outfit look for their maiden semis appearance. The Brazilian will also have Kean Lewis and Marcos Tebar, who were also a part of Delhi last season, for company. As far as the Lions are concerned, they’ll be looking to make a positive start and go beyond the semis having faltered at the stage in the previous two editions. The Dynamos have a Pune old boy within their ranks in the form of Kalu Uche. The Nigerian front-page opened his goal-scoring account in the league with Pune but will be looking to score against them this time around.