With the final week in the league phase of Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 currently underway, the identities of three out of the four semi-finalists have 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. On Tuesday, Mumbai City FC’s 5-1 defeat against Delhi Dynamos FC ensured that Chennaiyin FC also seal a playoff spot for themselves.

With Mumbai, NorthEast United FC, ATK and Delhi Dynamos FC already out of the playoff reckoning, there are still three teams vying for the remaining top-four spot, heading into the final week of Hero ISL 2017-18’s league stage. Here’s what the three clubs need to do to qualify for the playoffs.

Jamshedpur FC

  • Jamshedpur are in the fourth spot in the table 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
  • If they lose, Goa will leapfrog them to fourth
  • If they draw and Kerala win their remaining encounter, Jamshedpur will miss out on a berth

Kerala Blasters FC

  • The Blasters can reach 28 points if they beat Bengaluru
  • If Goa defeat ATK they will reach 27 points, which means Kerala will be out of contention due to inferior head-to-head with Goa
  • 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
  • Even after winning, Kerala have to hope that Jamshedpur 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
  • Out of the six points even if they manage to secure four (one win and one draw) they book a playoff spot
  • If they manage to secure those four points and Kerala manage to defeat Bengaluru, they both will be tied at 28 apiece but Goa will sail through due to a better head-to-head tally
  • If Goa lose to ATK, they have to beat Jamshedpur at any cost to qualify and hope Kerala drop points against Bengaluru

With the last match week of the league stage underway, 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, which will determine the new winners of India’s unrivalled football championship.