The 2024-25 Indian soccer season shows a lot of potential with an extended schedule for both men's and women's leagues. With the increase in competition and a definite schedule this time, this campaign is looking to hit all chords as proven by the kind of start the 11th edition of the Indian Super League had with goal fests and late comebacks. Fans expect the high-packed action to continue in October with a series of exciting fixtures lined up. The national team will also take to pitch and the other competitions namely I-League, Super Cup, IWL and IWL 2 set to commence alongside the state championships.
Here are some of the top five fixtures to watch in October in Indian football:
Mohun Bagan Super Giant vs Mohammedan Sporting Club - ISL 2024/25 (5 October 2024)
The first exciting fixture for the month involves the ISL Shield winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant facing off against the third Kolkata giant Mohammedan Sporting Club in the ‘mini derby’, as it is mostly known, for the first time in a top-flight since 2014 after the latter’s promotion to the ISL this season. The clash between two prestigious legacy-driven clubs, which have so much history in Indian football, promises to be a pulsating affair at the Salt Lake Stadium at the onset of festivities in the city. The Black Panthers collected their first win in their third league game of the season by beating Chennaiyin FC and they would hope to build on it. Meanwhile, Mohun Bagan will be desperate to return to form, collecting just one win in the last seven games in all competitions.
Vietnam vs India - 2024 VFF Tri-Nations Series (9 October 2024)
The senior men’s national team will play the 2024 VFF Tri-Nations Series hosted by Vietnam in the October international window preparing for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers next year. The Blue Tigers will face the host Vietnam in the first game having lost the last trip 3-0 and carrying an awful form, without a win in the previous 10 games and scoring just twice. The team endured their worst AFC Asian Cup campaign in January and missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. Despite moving away from Igor Stimac, India did not receive any shakeup under new manager Manolo Marquez as they lost the Intercontinental Cup defence and are left to sort out their form in another difficult competition. Vietnam are also going through an incredibly disappointing run with just one win this year, conceding 24 goals in the same period. Still, they are the toughest opposition the national team will face in the competition.
Lebanon vs India - 2024 VFF Tri-Nations Series (12 October 2024)
Lebanon are the highest-ranked opposition in the competition and will be familiar to India having played them four times last year. It will be the second game of the Tri-nations series after Marquez’s side plays the tournament opener against Vietnam. Hence, the fixture will be important to save disqualification at all costs. While India beat Lebanon in the finals of the Intercontinental Cup and SAFF Championship last year on home turf, their only two victories in this meeting, they lost the previous face-off 1-0 in the King’s Cup in Thailand. Considering India’s form, it will be an extremely challenging period for Manolo Marquez to prove his worth.
East Bengal FC vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant - ISL 2024/25 (19 October 2024)
It is also that time of the ISL season when the most revered fixture in Indian football, the Kolkata derby takes place as the two colossal clubs East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant battle each other at the Salt Lake Stadium. Both teams are struggling this season with the Super Cup winners relieving Carles Cuadrat of his managerial role and the Shield winners suffering from an underwhelming start under new coach Jose Molina. That makes the ninth Kolkata derby in the ISL an unpredictable one. The Mariners have stayed unbeaten in all derbies, winning seven of them, which will give them confidence. On the other hand, East Bengal will hope for a rejuvenation after losing their first three games of the league season and the previous five in all competitions.
Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC - ISL 2024/25 (25 October 2024)
Along with the Kolkata derby, the Southern derby between Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC makes the calendar in October. Over the past couple of seasons, this clash has become a heated affair with the tip of it coming in March 2023 when the Tuskers made a controversial walkout grabbing attention worldwide. Bengaluru FC have a clear edge in this battle and have lost just once in the last seven games giving them motivation to carry on their excellent start to the 2024-25 season. However, the Blasters have won two out of the previous three derbies in Kochi and hope to cause issues for the opposition with their new strike force despite being inconsistent in their form.
