With the final week in the league phase of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 on the horizon, the identities of two out of the four semi-finalists has already been revealed. Table-toppers Bengaluru were the first team to qualify, while FC Pune City became the second by virtue of a superior goal-difference than that of the chasing pack. With NorthEast United FC, ATK and Delhi Dynamos FC already out of the playoff reckoning, there are still five teams vying for the two remaining spots in the top four heading into the final week of Hero ISL 2017-18’s league stage. Here’s what the five clubs need to do to qualify for the playoffs.

Chennaiyin FC

• Chennaiyin are in third spot with 29 points from 17 matches
• The 2015 champions need to get one point to ensure a semi-final spot from their next match against Mumbai
• A draw will take them to 30 points and only Goa and Pune can reach 30+ points

Jamshedpur FC

• Jamshedpur are in fourth spot with 26 points from 17 matches
• They take on Goa in their last game and if Jamshedpur win, they will make it to 29 points and Goa will be out
• However, if Pune and Chennaiyin stay on 29 points and Mumbai win both their matches then the Islanders will also be on 29 points
• In that case, Jamshedpur, Pune, Chennaiyin and Mumbai will all be on 29 points but only three sides can go through
• Goal-difference after the final league stage game of the season will then be the determining factor in this case if all sides are tied on points

Kerala Blasters FC

• The Blasters can reach 28 points if they beat Bengaluru
• If they draw against the Blues they will reach 26 points but will be behind Jamshedpur on head-to-head and hence will be knocked out
• Kerala also have to hope that Jamshedpur, Mumbai or Goa don’t reach 29 points

FC Goa

• They have games against ATK and Jamshedpur left to play, which if they claim a maximum of six points from, will put them through to the playoffs
• If they draw against ATK and win against Jamshedpur, they will be on 28 points and level with Kerala if the Blasters beat Bengaluru
• If this is the case, then the head-to-head between the two clubs comes into play and Goa are ahead of Kerala on that basis
• This scenario only happens if Mumbai don’t reach 29 points
• The Gaurs must also beat Jamshedpur at all costs to have any chance of qualification

Mumbai City FC

• They are on 23 points with matches against Delhi and Chennaiyin remaining
• If Mumbai draw one and win one, they will be on 27 points
• They will then have to hope that Kerala lose to Bengaluru and Goa lose against ATK before beating Jamshedpur
• If they win both their games, Mumbai will be on 29 points and again the head-to-head and goal-difference scenarios come into play

With just seven games left in the league stage, the excitement is about to hit fever-pitch with a lot riding on every clash. By the end of the week, all four semi-finalists will be decided as we enter the business end of the season.