The third edition of the Indian Super League, so far, has been exciting. While defending champions Chennaiyin FC slowly get back their momentum after a not-so-good start in ISL 2016, table toppers NorthEast United FC, after an initial bright start, seem to have lost the consistency.
The final week of matches in October will see all the eight teams play their designated seven games from the first leg of the league season. November could turn out to be a completely different affair, meanwhile. FC Goa, who have been one of the top teams in the ISL ever since the Indian football league's inception in 2014, is currently rock-bottom. However, the second leg of the league season could very well see them catapult to the top.
NorthEast United FC, Atletico de Kolkata, Chennaiyin FC and Mumbai City FC are on top of the standings following Game 21 of ISL 2016, while the bottom four constitutes of Delhi Dynamos, FC Pune City, Kerala Blasters and FC Goa.
Not taking into account the team's standings as such, we look into the matches that are simply unmissable as the ISL 2016 heads to its final week of the month of October:
Match 22: FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters
Date: October 24
Time: 7 pm IST
Venue: JLN Stadium, Goa
Why it is important: Both teams have a massive fanbase and it will be interesting to witness the battle between the two finalists of the ISL from two different seasons. While Kerala Blasters remained the finalists in 2014, FC Goa remained the finalists in 2015. Both teams are in the bottom half of the league table at the moment, but that doesn't take away any excitement from the match.
Match 25: NorthEast United FC vs Atletico de Kolkata
Date: October 28
Time: 7 pm IST
Venue: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati
Why is it important: Two of the hotbeds of Indian football, it is the battle between Kolkata and Northeast in the Indian Super League yet again. Expect the match to be a full house, with several home fans turning up as usual and owing to the close proximity, several Kolkata football fans are also expected to make it for the match. Oh and did we forget the two sides are currently in the top 2 of the ISL 2016 points table.
Match 26: Chennaiyin FC vs Kerala Blasters
Date: October 29
Time: 7 pm IST
Venue: JLN Stadium, Chennai
Why it is important: Simply put, the South Indian derby. Even the Maharashtra Derby featuring FC Pune City and Mumbai City FC loses out to this sensational derby. Fans have flocked to the stadium in huge numbers over the years to witness this match and ISL 2016 is going to be no less. Also, Chennaiyin are the defending champions, so expect all roads to lead to the Marina Arena on Saturday.
