The race for promotion to the ISL has heated up in the I-League 2023/24 season. Mohammedan Sporting once looked to be head and shoulders above to make the top spot theirs. However, fluctuating in certain games in 2024 has let the other contenders rekindle their hope of winning the league title. Still, the Black Panthers have remained firm and a thrilling 3-2 win over Gokulam Kerala in their last match has kept them as frontrunners.
Second-placed Real Kashmir are the only side to have beaten Mohammedan SC till now and will be hoping now to overtake them to the top spot although depending on the Black Panthers slipping up again. Both Sreenidi Deccan and Gokulam Kerala need the top two to do them a favour if they want to have any chance of promotion. With only seven games to go, it is an interesting race to witness and wait for the one to reach the finishing line.
Pos 1: Mohammedan SC (Pld - 17, GD - 18, Pts - 38)
Mohammedan SC’s fate is in their own hands and they will win the league if they win their remaining games. They will still win the league if they don’t drop points more than twice and avoid defeat against Real Kashmir. The Kolkata giants are unlikely to fail from a six-point advantage with the maximum number of points they can reach being 59.
Pos 2: Real Kashmir FC (Pld - 17, GD - 18, Pts - 33)
Real Kashmir has kept themselves in the title mix throughout the campaign but they have lost points amid consistent run-ups. As a case, winning the remaining matches will not land the top spot for Real Kashmir as they require leaders Mohammedan SC to drop five points. If their point tally is the same as the Black Panthers at the end of games, they will win the league for having a superior head-to-head.
Pos 3: Sreenidi Deccan (Pld - 17, GD - 20, Pts - 33)
Sreenidi Deccan have to win their final seven matches of the season and hope the other three title contenders drop points if they have any chance to win the league. The Deccan Warriors need Mohammedan SC to drop five points, Real Kashmir two and Gokulam Kerala one. They have a game left against the Malabarians to be played this month.
Pos 4: Gokulam Kerala (Pld - 18, GD - 15, Pts - 32)
Carrying a six-point deficit and having played a game more than the rest, Gokulam Kerala will have to depend upon others to do them a favor. The Malabarians have to win their remaining games with Real Kashmir and Sreenidi Deccan left to be played in a tough schedule. They need to win against them and hope Mohammedan SC drop six points in their way.
