We’re into the second half of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, now approaching the final matchweeks with the League Shield and playoff qualification at stake.

While Mohun Bagan SG still holds the top spot in their quest for the Shield, the battle for top-six qualification has been nothing short of an extraordinary blockbuster movie. The final playoff spot could very well be decided in the league's final fixtures. There is little to separate the mid-table teams, as they are inches apart, heating up yet another intense race for playoff qualification — much like last season.

The recently concluded Matchweek 18 saw dramatic comebacks, with many teams capitalising on their home advantage. Four teams secured wins at their home ground, while just one match ended in a draw.

Chennaiyin FC held league leaders Mohun Bagan SG to a goalless draw after a gritty, resilient display in front of their home crowd. The following games saw Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC secure comeback wins against Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, respectively.

East Bengal FC snapped their four-match winless streak with a crucial 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC in Kolkata. The penultimate game of the matchweek saw the high-flying Gaurs get the better of Chennaiyin FC.

To wrap up the matchweek, Mumbai City FC registered a commendable 3-0 win against Mohammedan Sporting Club, giving Petr Kratky a sigh of relief after the Islanders' inconsistent performances this season.

Here are the key takeaways from the Matchweek gone by.

Different scenery but same outcome for Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC

Despite Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC having contrasting positions in the league standings, both teams displayed a solid performance with remarkable comeback victories.

Odisha FC edged past Bengaluru FC despite going 0-2 down within the opening 13 minutes. Diego Mauricio's brace and Jerry Mawihmingthanga's second-half goal powered the Kalinga Warriors to a solid comeback win over the Blues. With that, Sergio Lobera recorded his first victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the ISL.

On the other hand, Hyderabad FC scripted another spirited performance against Jamshedpur FC, sealing three points in a five-goal thriller. With a 3-2 win over the Men of Steel, HFC also snapped a 20-game winless run at home in the ISL.

East Bengal FC return to winning ways

After suffering narrow defeats in the last three matches, East Bengal FC found themselves back on the winning track with a 2-1 victory over Kerala Blasters FC.

Kerala-born PV Vishnu broke the deadlock for the hosts with a brilliant solo effort, showcasing his directness and composure to capitalize on yet another one-on-one opportunity.

Despite the Blasters pulling one back in the second half, Hijazi Maher's headed goal early in the second half was enough for the Red and Gold Brigade to secure the win.

Red-hot FC Goa dealing with three points

FC Goa stretched their unbeaten run to 12 games with a 2-0 win at home against Chennaiyin FC. Iker Guarrotxena and Aakash Sangwan were on target for the Gaurs, who are now unbeaten against Chennaiyin FC in five ISL games, their longest such run against the Marina Machans in the league.

Moreover, the first goal scored by Guarrotxena was the 100th goal scored in the fixture between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC in the ISL and this is the first fixture to record 100 goals in league history.

The Islanders secure a crucial home win

Despite a rollercoaster run of form in recent weeks, Mumbai City FC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory against Mohammedan SC at home, asserting their dominance. While the Islanders have historically been a formidable force, particularly on home turf, their performances this season under Petr Kratky have fallen short of expectations.

With this win, Mumbai City FC completed a league double over Mohammedan SC. The Islanders now hold the record for the most league doubles against opponents, achieving this feat against 12 different teams, surpassing Kerala Blasters FC, who have accomplished it against 11 teams.