Matchweek 12 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 was pretty straightforward except for the big result coming out of the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. 12 goals were scored across five games in the week, while three teams were able to keep a clean sheet.

In matchweek 13, two giants collide against each other when ATK Mohun Bagan welcome FC Goa to the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium to kickoff the proceedings. NorthEast United FC, who are coming off a positive result, will travel to Hyderabad FC side full of confidence, while East Bengal FC, after getting a week’s rest, will lock horns against fellow struggling team Bengaluru FC.

Table toppers and the highest-scoring team, Mumbai City FC will face Odisha FC away from home and will look to solidify the playoff spot as well as the number one position in the table.

Kerala Blasters will again try to continue their impressive run when they welcome Jamshedpur FC in the final game of the matchweek.

With matchweek 13 around the corner, here is a look at the key narratives to keep an eye on:

Big battle in the race for playoffs

The opening game of the matchweek 13 takes us to Kolkata as Juan Ferrando’s men prepare themselves to take on FC Goa. The head-to-head record between two of the ever present teams in the Hero ISL is quite even, and it is always an enthralling contest. Although, ATK Mohun Bagan have slight advantage over the Gaurs both the teams will look to get the win and consolidate their positions in a bid to progress for the playoffs.

ATK Mohun Bagan will look to get back to winning ways after their shock defeat in the last matchweek, while FC Goa are coming off a draw. Three points will be up for grabs at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Wednesday.

NorthEast United FC to try and topple another strong opponent?

NorthEast United FC finally registered a win and points in the 2022-23 season when they beat ATK Mohun Bagan, and they will certainly be high on confidence when they take on Hyderabad FC, a team that is having a great season for itself.

Hyderabad FC will not look to put brakes on their stellar season while they try to progress for the playoffs and solidify their position in the top six, meanwhile for the Highlanders it will all be about finding middle ground and keep the momentum going until the end of the season.

Hyderabad FC are currently comfortable in the second spot, while NorthEast United FC, despite their win, lie at the bottom of the points table.

East Bengal FC to look for consistency and momentum

The Red and Gold Brigade welcome fellow strugglers Bengaluru FC at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium on Friday where both the teams will try to find consistency on the field of football and are balanced in terms of where they sit in the points table with only a point being the difference between them.

East Bengal FC are coming off after having rested in the previous matchweek, also looking to get back to winning ways after having suffered two back to back defeats in the games before that, while Bengaluru FC suffered defeat at the hands of Hyderabad FC.

Mumbai City FC to continue their unbeaten run?

After no games on the weekend, the Hero ISL returns on Monday when Odisha FC come up against league leaders Mumbai City FC.

The Juggernauts who are well known as the comeback kings this season will try to put up a fight against a team who has not put a foot wrong so far this season.

As the Islanders continue to score goals and win matches, Odisha FC are not far away from making it into the top six. It will be a game where the Juggernauts will want to get back to winning ways after a string of results seeing them get only a point, and as for Mumbai City FC, we suppose them to continue with their sensational run and finish another matchweek on a high.

Jamshedpur FC to try and stop the high-flying Kerala Blasters FC

Undefeated for seven consecutive games, Kerala Blasters FC have made a statement and are right in the running to qualify for the playoffs with 22 points and third place in the standings.

They welcome a rather depleted Jamshedpur FC side who earned a point after facing seven straight defeats (the absolute opposite of their opponent’s run) in the league.

It will be a game to keep an eye on at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium as the Red Miners will try to stop the run of Kerala Blasters FC and gain some momentum themselves to finish as high as possible and stay consistent until the end of the season.