Top three favourites to clinch ISL 2023-24 Shield

Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC are at level with 39 points each so far.

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 will head into the crucial final stretch of the 2023-24 campaign after the international break. For quite a few teams in the league, there is still a lot to play for and crucial objectives for meet. However, the biggest prize – the ISL shield crown – is only in the framework for a few particular teams.

Winning the ISL shield title brings major rewards, with the winning team able to compete in the AFC Champions League next season. Representing India in Asia’s biggest competition is a dream and a matter of pride for any ISL side. With that being said, there are currently just three favourites to win the iSL Shield this season. Here we look at them.

3. Odisha FC

Sergio Lobera has worked his magic at Odisha FC in his debut season, reinventing them to become a major title challenger in the ISL. Even though the Juggernauts have dropped points in three of their last four games, they still remain strongly in the ISL shield race. They are four points away from the top spot (with a game in hand) and have some pretty reasonable remaining fixtures in the league season.

Even though three of their final four league games are away from home, they are also against teams beneath the top-5. With the AFC Asian Cup duties now out of the way, the Juggernauts can solely focus on the ISL and make a strong push for their first-ever ISL shield win.

2. Mumbai City FC

Despite having to adapt to a change in head coach in the early parts of the season, Mumbai City have held themselves strongly in the ISL shield race. The Islanders definitely know how to win that championship after having done exactly that last season. Mumbai City have had a few blunders this season that has raised questions on Petr Kratky, but the 42-year-old has handled the squad nicely to drive them towards the shield title race.

The Islanders, however, have a challenging end to the league stages with two of the remaining three games being against title challengers. They’ll have to really prove their quality in the final stretch of the campaign to win back-to-back ISL shield titles and play in the AFC Champions League again.

1. Mohun Bagan Super Giant

Mohun Bagan’s chances of securing a top-3 finish, let alone winning the ISL shield, looked done and dusted when they headed into the International break on the back of three heavy defeats. However, the appointment of Antonio Habas as the new head coach has turned out to be an excellent decision. The Mariners are undefeated under the Spaniard so far, having won six out of the eight ISL games under him and only dropped points twice.

That has elevated the Kolkata heavyweights to now be in charge of the ISL shield race, as they are joint in points with Mumbai City (39) with a game in hand. Only one of their last four matches, the final league stage game against Mumbai, is against a top-4 side. Given their recent form and confidence levels, Mohun Bagan seems primed to finally win the ISL shield and potentially play in the AFC Champions League for the first time next season.

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