The Indian Super League might be played behind closed doors this season, but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are set for an exciting season. With two new teams - ATK Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal set to make their debut in the league, we are in for a treat.

Chennaiyin FC vs Kerala Blasters FC 

Even though Kerala Blasters have had immense support, including constant backing from the ‘Manjapaddas’ - one of the most active fan groups in India, coupled with star-studded players, they have never won the ISL. On the flip side, Chennayin FC are two-time champions of the league, which has been a bitter pill to swallow for their rivals. Both the clubs, with several changes in their roster, including changes in the managerial section, will clash head to head once again later this month, in what we are expecting to be a cracker of a match.

Bengaluru FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan 

Thousands of Mohun Bagan fanatics took a long trip to Bengaluru on a rain-drenched evening, where they had to take a point against the local team to claim the silverware, while Bengaluru needed a win to do the same. Mohun Bagan kept their nerves and equalized late to trump the rivals - thus the beginning of a bitter rivalry between the two sides. With the ‘West Block Blues’ making their debut in the Indian Super League a few years back, their rivalry with Mohun Bagan will reignite once again, with the latter making an appearance for the first time.

A few months back, Bengaluru FC owner Parth Jindal even stated that their biggest rival this season is going to be ATK Mohun Bagan. Expect some fireworks when both the teams come face to face this season.

Arguably one of the anticipated clashes in the ISL this season for various reasons apart from the fact that both of them have a strong team on paper. It dates back to the day when Indian football was shocked by the departure of FC Goa’s then-coach Sergio Lobera - a tactician who was responsible for shaping one of the most consistent teams in the league, even guiding them to a maiden Super Cup title. While team performance was not at all the reason behind the termination of the fruitful partnership, the actual story is known to only those within the FC Goa management circle. What was more remarkable? FC Goa finished at the top of the points table last season, mainly under the guidance of Sergio Lobera, becoming the first club from India to get a direct spot in the AFC Champions League group stage.

Mumbai City FC, boosted by the financial backing of  City Football Group, was swift to rope in the Spanish manager. Not only that, they made sure that the core players of the FC Goa unit flocked to the western metropolis and reunited with their former boss. What was left with FC Goa? A few young players that are hungry to prove themselves without someone to take them through the ride. Juan Ferrando, at the age of 36, was vested with the responsibility of taking the ‘Gaurs’ forward. The youngest coach in the history of the league has shown traits of a good manager in the making, with him working in tandem with the existing and fresh faces of the contingent. 

ATK Mohun Bagan vs East Bengal 

There’s no one unaware of the 100-year old rivalry between these two historic clubs, with the fixture often listed as one of the most fiercest Derby in the entire world. But, the ‘Kolkata Derby’ has gotten a second life, with both the clubs set to face each other for the first time in the Indian Super League. The hype revolving the game generally springs up a couple of weeks before the matchday, but with fans taking the social media by storm regarding some burning topics, the past few months have acted as a build-up to the upcoming fixture. While East Bengal fans have claimed that their identity is intact with them taking a sly dig at their cross-road rivals, Mohun Bagan fanatics are not ready to accept the fact as usual.

The most unfortunate part regarding the upcoming fixture is that it would be playing behind closed doors - a sorry sight for the millions of fans who enjoy the atmosphere and flock to the stands. But after all - It’s the ‘Kolkata Derby.’