The Hero Indian Super League (ISL) will return in October 2022 with a brand new season that will have a new format for the knockout stage, a fresh weekend-centric calendar and most importantly fans returning to the stands after a two-year hiatus.

There are thus many reasons to look forward to the new Hero ISL campaign that gets off with a bang with some mouthwatering fixtures in October that features some old rivalries and a few heavyweight clashes.

Read: Best fixtures in October 2022 in Hero ISL 2022-23

November 2022 will see a lot of new, brewing rivalries being renewed as we see a repeat of the semi-finals and final of the last two seasons.

As we look ahead to the new season, let’s take a glance at some of the key fixtures from November 2022, the opening month of the season.

Mumbai City FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan (November 6, Sunday, Mumbai)

A rivalry that has grown over the last two years with the two teams battling it out at the top end of the table. The Islanders and the Mariners met in the Hero ISL 2020-21 final which the Mumbai side edged before spending most of the league season battling it out for the League Winners’ Shield. Mumbai City FC once again pipped the Mariners to the prize.

The Islanders have had the upper hand in this new-age rivalry as they are unbeaten against ATK Mohun Bagan. The Mariners have lost four out of those matches with the last meeting between the two teams ending in a draw.

The two teams will go meet for the first time in a non-neutral venue and considering the money the two teams have spent in the summer this has all the makings of a classic.

Mumbai City FC would love to continue their dominance over ATK Mohun Bagan on home soil while there won’t be a better opportunity for Juan Ferrando’s side to pick up their first win over Mumbai City FC than on their own patch.

Jamshedpur FC vs Hyderabad FC (12 November, Saturday, Jamshedpur)

Last season’s top two in the league phase will go head-to-head in November as they look to once again battle it out for the top spots in the upcoming season.

Both Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC surprised everyone with their resurgence last season and will look to continue their upward trajectory this season. While Jamshedpur FC are under new head coach Aidy Boothroyd, Hyderabad FC remain under the able guidance of Manuel Marquez.

Jamshedpur FC hold the upper hand in this duel as they have never lost to Hyderabad FC in six meetings. Last year’s 3-0 win over Hyderabad FC that turned the tide in their favour in the race for the Shield will be fresh in the minds of players from both teams.

Jamshedpur FC have also tasted victory in the only previous meeting at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, a 3-1 success back in 2019. However, meeting between the two teams often tend to be tight and closely-contested affairs as the two teams have played out four draws in the Hero ISL so far.

With the two teams among the favourites to win the title again, it will be an intriguing contest between the two teams.

East Bengal FC vs Odisha FC (November 18, Friday, Kolkata)

This fixture can be renamed the ‘goal galore’ derby such have been the truly crazy nature of this fixture. The two teams played out a 6-4 and a 6-5 game in each of the last two seasons to leave their fans totally thrilled.

While Odisha FC have won the last three meetings between the two teams including the two goal fests, East Bengal have recorded one victory over Odisha FC.

This will be the first time the two sides will meet in non-neutral venues and the fans would be hoping for more of the same when these sides meet.

While neither manager would be very keen to have another crazy scoreline, the fans would absolutely love it.

Given the attacking riches both teams have added in the summer, it would take a brave man not to predict a high-scoring affair when these two sides meet again.

Hyderabad FC vs Kerala Blasters FC (November 19, Saturday, Hyderabad)

The replay of last year’s final is set to reignite plenty of emotions among both sets of players and fans. A final that Kerala Blasters FC thought they had won was snatched away from them through a late Hyderabad FC equaliser and later via the penalty shootout.

Revenge will be on the minds of Kerala Blasters FC who will look to quickly settle scores with the defending champions.

However, a win over Manuel Marquez’s men so early in the campaign will be the necessary tonic for Ivan Vukomanovic’s side.

As for Hyderabad FC, they would like to extend their slightly superior record against Kerala Blasters FC having won four out of the seven encounters so far, having lost the other three.

FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC (November 26, Saturday, Goa)

FC Goa and Bengaluru FC have a history between them and this has been one of the most competitive fixtures the league has seen.

The two teams were direct rivals for the ultimate crown between 2017-18 to 2019-20 where both clubs reached the semi-final stage on every occasion. Bengaluru FC pipped FC Goa to the top spot in 2017-18 and 2018-19 while also beating them in the final in the latter campaign. FC Goa then finished top in 2019-20 to become the first Indian team to qualify for the AFC Champions League.

Bengaluru FC have won five out of the 14 games between the two sides while the Gaurs have tasted victory on three occasions. The other remaining six matches have been draws.

This game also guarantees goals with neither team being able to keep a clean sheet in the last eight meetings.

The Blues may have the upper hand in this duel but the Gaurs are unbeaten in the last six clashes and would like to extend that record when the two teams meet in November.

ATK Mohun Bagan vs Hyderabad FC (November 26, Saturday, Kolkata)

The clash of the two Spanish maestros is expected to be a fine tactical battle that will engage every football fan in India.

Juan Ferrando and Marquez both like to play free-flowing attacking football and it will be interesting to see which of the two richly talented attacking forces overpowers the other.

There is precious little to choose between the two teams who have drawn three out of the six meetings between them. ATK Mohun Bagan have won two of the other three with Hyderabad FC winning the other.

However, that victory for Marquez’s men came in the semi-final first leg last season, a 3-1 success that was enough to take Hyderabad FC to the final despite the 0-1 defeat in the second leg.

The Mariners will love to turn the tables on Hyderabad FC this time, especially with the backing of the Salt lake stadium faithful.