ISL 2024-25 top-six battle for play-offs spots: Who are the teams involved, what are the qualification scenarios?

ISL 2024-25 top-six battle for play-offs spots: Who are the teams involved, what are the qualification scenarios?

The ISL 2024-25 league phase is nearing its climax, with all teams having at least two games left and many chasing a top-six spot.

According to the 2022-23 format, the top two teams secure direct semifinal berths, while teams ranked third to sixth compete in single-leg playoffs for the remaining spots.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant, which became the first team to defend the ISL Shield, is the only team to have confirmed the semifinal berth so far.

Three teams — FC Goa, Jamshedpur FC, and Bengaluru FC — are vying for the second spot, with Manolo Marquez’s FC Goa leading the race at 42 points from 21 games.

FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC have qualified for the top six while Mohammedan Sporting and Hyderabad FC are out of the race for playoffs.

Eight teams are in the race to confirm three spots in the playoffs.

Bengaluru FC needs three points from its remaining games to secure qualification. If it beats Chennaiyin FC on Tuesday, the Blues will book a playoff spot.

Chennaiyin FC (February 25), East Bengal (March 2), Mumbai City FC (March 11)

Petr Kratky’s men have a tough finish to the season with a home game against Mohun Bagan before away trips to Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC. Mumbai City FC will need at least four points from the remaining three games to seal its spot in the playoffs.

Mohun Bagan (March 1), Kerala Blasters (March 7), Bengaluru FC (March 11)

The Highlanders have struggled for consistency since the turn of the year and have won just twice in nine matches in 2025. NorthEast United will need at least four points from its remaining two games to qualify for the playoffs.

Chennaiyin FC (March 3), East Bengal (March 8)

Seventh-placed Odisha FC will need to win both its remaining matches to guarantee its playoffs berth. It can reach as high as fourth in the standings depending on the results of fifth and sixth-placed NorthEast United and Mumbai City, which both have 32 points.

If it finishes the regular season level on points with both these sides, it will come down to head-to-head records. Odisha has a poor H2H record against NEUFC and since both Odisha and Mumbai City have identical H2H records, it will be separated by goal difference.

Mohammedan SC (February 28), Jamshedpur FC (March 5)

Owen Coyle’s Chennaiyin FC has 24 points from 21 outings and can reach a maximum of 33 if it wins all its remaining matches. Even then, it would need NEUFC, Mumbai City, and Odisha FC to drop points, along with other top-six contenders faltering, to stand a chance.

Bengaluru FC (February 25), NEUFC (March 3), Jamshedpur FC (March 9)

Punjab FC, too, has 24 points in 21 matches and will need to win all its matches to have a chance of making the play-offs.

FC Goa (February 27), Hyderabad FC (March 6), Mohammedan Sporting (March 10)

Kerala Blasters, too, has 24 points in 21 matches and will need to win all its matches to have a chance of making the play-offs.

Jamshedpur FC (March 1 ), Mumbai City (March 7), Hyderabad FC (March 12)

East Bengal, too, has 24 points in 21 matches and will need to win all its matches to have a chance of making the play-offs.

Hyderabad FC (February 26), Bengaluru FC (March 2), NEUFC (March 8)