A truncated Indian Super League season has come with all the gifts as six teams are in line to be the champion as we head into the final matchweek of the competition.
The East Bengal and Mohun Bagan encounter was supposed to be pivotal, but a 1-1 draw in the Kolkata Derby has now opened the race for a couple of more teams, who are still alive in the race for the ISL 2025-26 title.
What Happened in Kolkata Derby?
East Bengal and Mohun Bagan both had 22 points in 11 matches before the match. A win would have been a big step towards the title, but the arch-rivals could only share the points. Edmund Lalrindika scored an 85th minute goal for East Bengal, but Jason Cummings cancelled it out with an 89th-minute strike. The draw means they both have 23 points in 12 matches, and a match each
to play in the final matchweek of this season's ISL.
ISL 2025-26 Points Table
This is how the points table looks after the Kolkata derby.
| Rank | Clubs | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Bengal FC | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 10 | 18 | 23 |
| 2 | Mohun Bagan Super Giant | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 23 |
| 3 | Bengaluru FC | 13 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 23 |
| 4 | Punjab FC | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 22 |
| 5 | Mumbai City FC | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 22 |
| 6 | Jamshedpur FC | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 21 |
| 7 | FC Goa | 12 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 20 |
| 8 | Kerala Blasters FC | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 13 | 16 | -3 | 14 |
| 9 | Inter Kashi | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 13 |
| 10 | NorthEast United FC | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 13 |
| 11 | Sporting Club Delhi | 12 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 11 |
| 12 | Odisha FC | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 22 | -8 | 10 |
| 13 | Chennaiyin FC | 13 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 9 | 21 | -12 | 9 |
| 14 | Mohammedan SC | 12 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 30 | -23 | 3 |
ISL 2025-26 Final Gameweek Matches
Kerala Blasters vs FC Goa - May 18
Northeast United vs Mohammedan - May 19
Punjab FC vs Mumbai City FC - May 21
Inter Kashi vs East Bengal FC - May 21
Jamshedpur FC vs Odisha FC - May 21
Mohun Bagan vs SC Delhi - May 21
Who are in the ISL Title Race?
East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Punjab FC, Mumbai City, Jamshedpur FC - all these five clubs are in the ISL title race.
ISL 2025-26 Championship Scenario
In this section, we shall take a look at how the clubs can win the ISL title in the final gameweek.
East Bengal
The league leaders East Bengal have the simplest task. If they win the match against Inter Kashi, they will be champions, thanks to their superior goal difference even if Mohun Bagan finish with same points.
If East Bengal draw against Inter Kashi, then they will have to hope for a Mohun Bagan defeat or draw, while they would also require a stalemate between Mumbai City and Punjab FC.
Mohun Bagan
Mohun Bagan will have to win their match against SC Delhi and hope for a slip from East Bengal. If the Mariners draw, then East Bengal will have to lose in order to make them Champions. Similarly, a draw for MBSG would also mean a draw between Punjab and Mumbai to make the defending champions winners again this season.
Punjab FC and Mumbai City FC
Punjab FC will play against Mumbai City, which means they have a direct shootout at a potential title.
If Punjab FC or Mumbai City either win, they will finish with 25 points, in this case, they would require a draw or defeat for both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.
Jamshedpur FC
Believe it, Jamshedpur FC can also become champions. If the Steel Miners win their match against Odisha FC, they will be in the hunt.
But in order to make JFC Champions, both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will have to lose, while the match between Punjab and Mumbai need a draw.
In this case, JFC, Mumbai City and Punjab will all end with 24 points, and in the mini table between these three clubs, Jamshedpur will emerge champions as they beat PFC earlier 1-0, and drew against MCFC 1-1.
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