What is the current I-League championship scenario?

It is going to be an exciting end to the ongoing season of the league competition.

The 2022-23 edition of the I-League is approaching its end. As the last round of matches takes place, the race for the title is intensifying. There are two clubs at the top that are tied on points, and the nature of the league makes it unpredictable. There is a promotion to the 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League on offer, which makes winning the competition ever so important this term. 

One of the characteristics of the I-League is its equal playing field. Anyone can beat anyone on a given day and that keeps the fans on the edge of their seats. The competition is intense in the second tier of the Indian league system. It has teams like Sreenidi Deccan, RoundGlass Punjab, and Gokulam Kerala FC gunning for first place in the league table.

Like the Indian Super League which saw a two-horse race for the top spot between Mumbai City FC and Hyderabad FC, I-League is spontaneous. It is hard to predict which team is going to come out on top. Here is a look at what is the current I-League championship scenario and the teams that are candidates to lift the trophy at the end:

Sreenidi Deccan

Sreenidi Deccan are the favourites to win the I-League 2022-23 season. The club has 40 points after 18 matches and looks unstoppable. Their most recent league meeting with Sudeva Delhi saw the club record an impressive 3-1 comeback win. 

As per the current form, Sreenidi Deccan outperforms all other candidates for the title. They have won their last five matches in a row. The outfit finished third last season and is aiming to finally win its first-ever I-League title at the end of the campaign.

Matches Remaining: 4

Upcoming Key fixtures:

Mohammedan SC vs Sreenidi Deccan (24 February 2023)

Aizawl FC vs Sreenidi Deccan (28 February 2023)

Sreenidi Deccan vs Real Kashmir (5 March 2023)

RoundGlass Punjab

RoundGlass Punjab is the closest competitor to Sreenidi Deccan in the race for the title. The club has 40 points from 18 matches and is going to give a strong fight to the Deccan Warriors in the race for the title.

The aim for the Punjab-based club will be to finally win its first-ever I-League title and secure promotion to the top tier of the Indian league system, i.e. the Indian Super League. There is pressure on RGPFC and it has won three of the last five matches. However, some of the upcoming matches are against struggling teams and the club will hope to get wins under its belt.

Matches Remaining: 4

Upcoming Key Fixtures:

NEROCA FC vs RoundGlass Punjab FC (20 February 2023)

RoundGlass Punjab FC vs Sudeva Delhi (26 February 2023)

RoundGlass Punjab FC vs Churchill Brothers SC (1 March 2023)

Gokulam Kerala FC

Gokulam Kerala FC is under a lot of pressure to win a third consecutive league title. The winners of the previous two I-League editions are in third place with 30 points from 18 matches. They have two wins in the last five and lost three matches in a row prior to that, suffering a huge blow to their title hopes. 

If SDFC or RGPFC cross the 42-point mark, the title charge for GKFC will be over. Then, only one of Sreenidi Deccan or RoundGlass Punjab FC will win the I-League and gain promotion to the ISL. A 10-point deficit could be difficult to erase with only four matches to go in the campaign.

Matches Remaining: 4

Upcoming Key Fixtures:

Gokulam Kerala FC vs Aizawl FC (25 February 2023)

TRAU FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC (2 March 2023)

Sudeva Delhi FC vs Gokulam Kerala FC (6 March 2023)