Olympics Begin In
:
Days
:
Hours
:
Mins
 
Secs
Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Featured

ISL 2019-20 Gameweek 7 and 8 Roundup: Chase for the play-offs heat up

ISL 2019-20 Gameweek 7 and 8 Roundup: Chase for the play-offs heat up
X
By

Abhranil Roy

Published: 8 Jan 2020 7:27 AM GMT

The business end of the Indian Super League (ISL) is here and the last couple of weeks have been jam-packed with fixtures spread all over the festive season. ATK FC and FC Goa have been swapping positions at the top of the table over the past few weeks, with the Kolkata side and the Gaurs also dominating almost every statistical table as well.

Currently, Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC make up the other two spots in the play-off places but both Odisha FC and Jamshedpur FC are hot on their heels and it is hard to call just who will be making the final cut.

Also read: Changes in Hero ISL 2019-20 fixtures

ATK FC picked up seven points from three games which included an impressive 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC at home on Christmas Day. Bengaluru FC collected six points from their three games, which also included a fine 2-1 win at home over FC Goa. FC Goa has not had the best run in the festive season, with only one win from their three games. Mumbai City FC has two impressive victories under their belt but they did lose at home to ATK in their last game.

Odisha FC, who was struggling initially picked up an impressive derby win over Jamshedpur FC but lost away to FC Goa in the league. However, they did roar back to life against Chennaiyin FC in the last match as they beat the two-time winners 2-0 at home. Jamshedpur has had a miserable stretch of form, losing both their games and some steam on their chase to finish in the top 4.

Kerala Blasters has picked up four points in their last three games, which included a brilliant 5-1 win over Hyderabad FC. Northeast United has procured only a point from their last two games. Chennaiyin FC had a memorable derby win over the Blasters but since then has lost both their games. The bottom-dwellers, Hyderabad FC has managed only 1 point in their last 3 games, which was a surprising 2-2 draw against ATK FC.

Takeaways from Weeks 7 and 8:

#1 Owen Coyle needs to get his house in order

Since replacing John Gregory as the Chennaiyin FC boss, Owen Coyle has had a topsy-turvy time at the helm. His team has been highly inconsistent, despite the brilliance of Valskis upfront. Leaky goals and laboured build-up passing have been the bane for the two-time champions and they need to address it right away.

#2 ATK FC and FC Goa seem most likely to be the finalists

Although there is a long way to go, FC Goa and ATK have been setting the pace in the ISL this season. Between them, the 2 sides have scored 44 goals already, both averaging almost 2 goals per game. The trio of Roy Krishna, Edu Garcia and David Williams has been breathtaking for ATK while Corominas and Jackichand have been stealing the limelight for FC Goa, supplemented by the magical Brandon Fernandes in midfield who already has 5 assists in 11 games.

Some key stats from the season so far

Matches Played: 53

Goals Scored: 148

Average goals per game: 2.79

Most goals: 8 —Roy Krishna (ATK FC)

Most assists: 5 — Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)

Matches To Look Forward To In Week 9

Hyderabad FC v Chennaiyin FC

Two struggling teams will face off each other in the Southern Derby with a goal to kickstart their season once and for all.

ATK FC v Kerala Blasters FC

ATK will be eager to avenge their opening day loss to Kerala Blasters and underline their title-winning credentials when they take on the Manjapadda at home.

Next Story