ATK Mohun Bagan and Kerala Blasters lock horns for the inaugural game of the biggest football frenzy in India. Indian super League kicks off on Friday 7 p.m. IST and all 11 teams will vie for the most coveted trophy in Indian Leagues.

What is new?

To keep a synergy with the growth of Indian Football this season of ISL will see 7 players to be strictly Indian and 4 foreigner in the starting 11. This will definitely see more opportunities for Indian players to shine in the biggest stage of all in the country. This season will also see an additional kick off time of 9:30 p.m. in the Saturdays for the double headers. The usual 7:30 p.m. kick off time is remained intact.

Favorites

After a super season last term of ISL ATK Mohun Bagan has proved to be a force to recon with. Antonio Lopez Habas’s team will look to enforce their dominance from the start of the season.

Star studded Bengaluru FC will also be ready for the challenge. Captain fantastic Sunil Chhetri will lead the line once again, after his recent Khel Ratna accolade he will be charged and fired up.

Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters both are predicted to have a strong season. Both the teams can be considered to be in contention for the trophy.

The road looks difficult for the defending Champions Mumbai City as they will target to break the champion’s jinx and win back to back titles. The squad is capable enough to pull it off and we don’t doubt them. But generally back to back titles are a rare scene in the entire football world.

Hopefuls

After a revamped squad SC East Bengal will look to better the last season and will look to do it with quite a margin. Given the history of the club and with a huge fan base the club should make a mark on the biggest league in the country. FC Goa is another in the hopefuls, with football culture deeply rooted the current Durand Cup Champions must seek contention.

The Fan situation

Last season it was empty stands due to Covid-19 situation and despite it is scaled down, this season the League will again witness empty stands during games as it is organized with in a strict bio-bubble in Goa. Three stadiums will host the games – Fatorda Stadium, the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim and Tilak Stadium Vasco. It is a sad view of empty stands but we are hopeful that the situation will improve with time.