Bengaluru FC and Punjab FC have both made a solid start to their campaign, being the only two teams unbeaten after the first four match weeks of the season so far. The two sides will have their tasks cut out on the first weekend of the new year. Bengaluru FC will travel to Jamshedpur in what promises to be a fierce clash at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday, January 4, while Punjab FC will host Mikael Stahre’s Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Sunday, January 5.
The clash between Odisha FC and FC Goa on January 4, also promises to be a feisty affair as the Spanish flair of football, brought in by head coaches Sergio Lobera and Manolo Marquez, will be on display.
Elsewhere, NorthEast United FC will play their first-ever match at their ‘new home’ – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, when they welcome last year’s ISL Cup winners Mumbai City FC on February 7. The Highlanders will go on to host Bengaluru FC on February 21 and East Bengal FC on March 8 in the Meghalayan capital, raising the excitement levels of the fans in the region.
In the south, a series of high-profile clashes will keep the fans on the edge. Kerala Blasters FC will face arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC on January 30 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai. Chennaiyin FC will take on Bengaluru FC in a much-anticipated fixture on February 25, at Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. These matches are bound to be significant in the race for the playoffs.
Fans can look forward to the second leg of the Kolkata Derby between Mohun Bagan SG and East Bengal FC, which is scheduled for January 11. The second leg of another Kolkata Derby will be played between Mohammedan SC and Mohun Bagan SG on February 1. The Derby round-up will be completed with Mohammedan SC clashing with East Bengal FC on February 16. All the derbies will be played at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. The historic rivalries are a celebration of Kolkata’s football heritage, and passion will run high as the three giants of Kolkata football clash with each other for the first time in league history.
The league phase will conclude on March 12 at the G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Hyderabad, with a thrilling contest between Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters ensuring a dramatic end to the regular season and leaving huge anticipation for the playoffs. While the first four match weeks have shown a glimpse of an enthralling season that will ensue, fans can expect more drama, goals, and thrilling moments on the road to the ISL 2024-25 playoffs.
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