Chennaiyin FC have already qualified for the semis with their win over Kerala Blasters.With two rounds remaining in the league phase of the Hero Indian Super League, here is the analysis of what each team, barring Chennaiyin FC, requires in order to qualify for the semi-finals:1) Chennaiyin FC (22 points)Remaining Fixtures: Goa (H), Dec 5; Delhi Dynamos (H), Dec 9Chennaiyin are already through after their 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters on November 30. Marco Materazzi & Co will be now gunning for one more accolade: first place. A win from either of their two tough home games will be enough to guarantee top spot. Even two draws might be enough, although they would then require Atlético de Kolkata to drop points. Goal difference would come into play if Chennaiyin draw their games and Kolkata win their two. A draw against Goa will at least secure a top-two finish, giving Chennai an advantage in the semifinals as they would likely play the crucial second leg at home.2) FC Goa (18 points)Remaining Fixtures: Chennaiyin, (A) Dec 5; ATK (A), Dec 10Goa need three points (or one win) from their final two games to guarantee a top four finish. Qualification for the semis is far from secure though, as Goa have the toughest schedule among the teams -- two away fixtures versus two tough teams. Even with their current run of form (three straight wins and unbeaten in the last six games), they could lose both games. If Goa fail to win their two games, they may yet qualify but will have to rely on other results to go their way.3) Atlético de Kolkata (18 points)Remaining fixtures: Mumbai (A), Dec 7; Goa (H), Dec 10Like Goa, former league leaders Atlético de Kolkata also need just three points to secure a semi-final spot. Antonio López Habas will no doubt fancy his chances against struggling Mumbai City whom they beat 3-0 on the ISL’s opening day. However, Peter Reid’s wounded tigers may have extra motivation to keep their semi-final ambitions alive. Kolkata’s home game against in form Goa may end up being a straight fight for second place, depending on other results.4) FC Pune City (16 points)Remaining fixtures: Delhi Dynamos (H), Dec 6; Kerala Blasters (A), Dec 9Pune City now need a minimum of four points (a win and draw) to guarantee a top-four finish. A win at home against Delhi will take them to the brink of qualification. The capital side incidentally are on a three-game unbeaten run thanks to their rejuvenated attack. Pune’s last game in Kochi may end up being a virtual knockout.5) Kerala Blasters FC (15 points)Remaining fixtures: NorthEast United (H), Dec 4; Pune City (H), Dec 9Kerala Blasters need two wins from their two home games to make the cut. Their fans give them a huge home advantage. A win against the Highlanders will set up a tantalising finale against Pune City, a game that might be a virtual knockout for the fourth and final spot. A loss or draw against NorthEast however would make things difficult, as then even a win over Pune might not be enough to guarantee their advance; Kerala would then require favourable results between the other teams to see them through.6) Delhi Dynamos FC (14 points)Remaining fixtures: Pune City (A), Dec 6; Chennaiyin (A), Dec 9As things stand, even if Delhi win both their remaining away games, they will have to rely on other results going favourably to finish in the top four. Pune City have lost only once at home all season, and have turned around their form with a two-game unbeaten run. Delhi will be buoyed by the fact that they beat Chennai 4-1 in the first leg and will hope to shock the league leaders away too. If Delhi win both fixtures, they would then need Kerala/NorthEast to drop points in order to be assured of a top-four finish.7) NorthEast United FC (13 points)Remaining fixtures: Kerala Blasters (A), Dec 4; Mumbai City (H), Dec 10Even two wins from two games may not be enough to ensure that the Highlanders squeeze through. They beat Kerala 1-0 at home in the first leg but playing in Kochi is a daunting prospect because of the crowd factor and because the southerners have since improved. The game is a must win for Ricki Herbert – a draw will see them virtually eliminated, as they would then have to rely on many results going their way, and a favourable swing in goal difference, while a loss will seal their exit. Even their home game against Mumbai City is a must win. Assuming they win both, NorthEast also need Pune, Kerala and Delhi to all drop points.Mumbai City FC (12 points)Remaining fixtures: ATK (H), Dec 7; NorthEast United (A), Dec 10Mumbai City were in a virtual must win situation even before their loss to Pune City. Now, the team which went on a five-game unbeaten run earlier, must win their two games and then hope that other results go their way. If they lose or draw their first game against formidable Atlético de Kolkata at home, they will be eliminated. And even with two wins, Peter Reid’s men may not qualify – their poor goal difference (currently at -10) will also factor against them. Mumbai also need Pune, Kerala, Delhi and NorthEast to all drop enough points to catapult themselves above their five rivals for the final spot.
