Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season is moving towards Matchweek 3, as Matchweek 2 ended with thrilling matches and some stunning individual performances, giving the ISL an explosive start. 13 goals were scored across six matches. From East Bengal FC’s first-ever win against Hyderabad FC to Kerala Blasters FC winning the first two league matches for the first time in their history, the last matchweek was full of action.

FC Goa and Hyderabad FC are the only two teams that played a single game after matchweek 2, as their opening game was postponed.

Bengaluru FC will kick off the matchweek 3 against East Bengal FC at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, followed by Jamshedpur FC hosting Hyderabad FC in their first home match of the season.

Punjab FC will face NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi as the Shers bid to get their first points on the board. Saturday’s doubleheader will see FC Goa host Odisha FC, whereas Chennaiyin FC will try to grab their first point of the season on their home turf against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

In the concluding fixture of matchweek 3, in-form Kerala Blasters FC will face Mumbai City FC in their first away game of the season at the Mumbai Football Arena in Mumbai.

With Matchweek 3 around the corner, here is a look at the key narratives to keep an eye on:

Will Cleiton Silva be a thorn in Bengaluru FC's flesh again?

Bengaluru FC welcome East Bengal FC in their first home match of the season, aiming to get their first points on the board. Cleiton Silva, the man in form for East Bengal FC, scored an incredible free kick in the dying minutes of the last game against Hyderabad FC, helping his side get their first win of the season.

Silva scored both of the winning goals against BFC in both league fixtures last season. The former Bengaluru FC striker is again going to be a threat for the Blues as they will face off again in the opening fixture of matchweek 3.

East Bengal FC started the season under Spanish head coach Carles Cuadrat. The former BFC head coach will return to Bengaluru as an opponent head coach for the very first time and he can expect a warm reception from the BFC fans after the Spaniard helped the Blues win the ISL Cup in 2018-19.

Emotion-filled game for Thapa as MBSG travel to Chennaiyin

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will travel to Chennai, aiming to continue their red-hot form. The Mariners are at the top of the table after winning their first two games of the season. It will be a tough challenge for Owen Coyle’s men, as they have yet to get their first point.

Anirudh Thapa will face his former team for the first time since he left the Marina Machans. The former Chennaiyin FC captain will try to make a mark on his return to Chennai while travelling as an opponent. That game will also see Vishal Kaith play against his former team.

Thapa made over 100 appearances for CHennaiyin FC, playing a key role in their ISL 2017-18 triumph and also became the captain of the team. The midfielder can receive 

Familiar faces clash

FC Goa welcome Odisha FC in a high-voltage fixture in front of their home crowd. Both teams are unbeaten at the end of matchweek 2. Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda will witness a tactical clash between the two Spaniards, who have been very successful in the ISL.

Odisha FC head coach Lobera was previously with FC Goa. Players like Mourtada Fall, Ahmed Jahouh, Lenny Rodrigues, and Amey Ranawade, who joined their former head coach, will be seen playing for the Juggernauts against the former club, giving it an additional edge. 

Lobera has previously faced FC Goa as an opponent but this will be the first time since he left the Gaurs that he will face them in front of the home fans as his last encounter against FC Goa was in front of empty stands. 

Two in-form sides clash

The concluding match of matchweek 3 will be the first home match for Mumbai City FC as well as the first away match for Kerala Blasters FC. It will be an exciting clash in Mumbai, as both teams have been unbeaten so far in the league stage matches.

This match will see a crazy battle between two elite strikers, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Dimitrios Diamantakos. Both strikers have been the match winners for their respective clubs. It will be a challenging night for both teams to protect their defence.

The other battle that could decide this contest is between the two creator-in-chiefs of the two teams -- Greg Stewart and Adrian Luna. The latter has started the season with a bang, with three-goal involvement in two matches while Stewart is yet to really make his mark this season and will be hoping to kickstart his campaign against the Blasters.