Hero ISL 2022-23: What to look forward to in Matchweek 17
FC Goa kick-off Matchweek 17 as the Gaurs welcome East Bengal FC at the Fatora Stadium, Goa followed by Jamshedpur FC hosting Mumbai City FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur.
The drama continues to unfold as the matches come thick and fast in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 season. With two teams - Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC - already qualified for the playoffs, the remaining four spots in the top six have carved open the gates for the playoffs as teams battle it out to collect points on the board to the hilt.
Matchweek 16 witnessed some surprising results that helped teams to revive their playoff qualifying chances. Bengaluru FC earned their sixth victory against Jamshedpur FC followed by Mumbai City FC staying true to their form and earning their 12th victory of the season.
Hyderabad FC won on the road against East Bengal FC to seal qualification in the playoffs whereas Chennaiyin FC and ATK Mohun Bagan played the second goalless draw of the season. To conclude Matchweek 16, we saw FC Goa secured all three points against Kerala Blasters FC at home.
FC Goa kick-off Matchweek 17 as they welcome East Bengal FC followed by Jamshedpur FC's clash against Mumbai City FC.
Bengaluru FC lock horns against Chennaiyin FC in the first match of Saturday's doubleheader followed by a matchup between ATK Mohun Bagan and Odisha FC.
Kerala Blasters FC host NorthEast United FC to conclude Matchweek 17.
FC Goa eye a double over East Bengal FC
FC Goa would be looking to cement their place in the playoffs and a victory against struggling East Bengal FC would put them in the third spot in the Hero ISL league standings.
In the reverse fixture, Carlos Pena's men came out on top in a 2-1 win. The Gaurs would target to take advantage of East Bengal FC's recent form of five defeats including three back-to-back defeats in the last six matches. The Gaurs ended their unpleasant run of games with a victory against Kerala Blasters FC.
On the other hand, Stephen Constantine's men would be hoping to give it a final push in order to salvage any hope for the playoffs. The head coach stated that the last six games are going to be crucial for the team as they need to take their opportunities in the post-match conference of the last fixture.
Can Jamshedpur FC repeat their heroics against Mumbai City FC
When the two sides met in October in the reverse fixture, the points were shared. Jamshedpur FC remain one of only three teams to take points from scintillating Mumbai City FC.
The Red Miners earned their second victory of the season against East Bengal FC in Matchweek 15 but lost 3-0 in the last round of games. Aidy Boothroyd would be encouraging his men to replicate the reverse fixture's performance against the league leaders and end the season on a bright note.
Meanwhile, for Des Buckingham's men, they would be aiming to continue the march for the League Shield trophy as the Islanders remain unbeaten till now and are aiming for their 13th victory of the season against the Red Miners.
Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC renew rivalry with a playoff spin-off
Only two points separate these two sides and a win for either side helps them climb further up the table. The reverse fixture saw both teams exchanging blows but only to settle for a single point back in October.
Thomas Bradaric's men are on a run of three consecutive draws, which have halted the Marina Machans' charge for the playoffs and have given the chance to Simon Grayson's men to overlap them. The Blues have come strong in crunch times and have ground out three consecutive wins for the first time this season. The side scored eight goals in those three victories and only conceded two, showing a sign of complete resurgence.
Odisha FC, ATK Mohun Bagan look to bounce back with a win
The points were shared when both teams met in December. The sides would be looking to earn their eighth victory of the season, with both teams sharing seven victories to their respective names.
Josep Gombau's men come into the fixture with one victory in the last six matches. Meanwhile, Juan Ferrando's men have claimed two victories in the last six matches. Both Spanish head coaches would be looking to bank their hopes on their star performers. Odisha FC's Diego Mauricio has nabbed eight goals and four assists while ATK Mohun Bagan's Dimitri Petratos has lend his hand in five goals and six assists.
Victory for any team would mean jumping one place in the league table as the Mariners can overtake Kerala Blasters FC whereas the Kalinga Warriors can go past FC Goa.
Can Kerala Blasters FC return to winning ways against NorthEast United FC
Two teams from different ends of the league table meet at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi. NorthEast United FC aim to embark a third consecutive defeat on Ivan Vukomanovic's side.
The Yellow Army hope to repeat the brilliant performance from the reverse fixture which saw them score three goals with no reply from the Highlanders. Ivan Vukomanovic's side have lost two consecutive matches after their eight-match unbeaten run was halted by Mumbai City FC. On the contrary, Vincenzo Annese's men are on the hunt to earn their second victory of the season.