Top 10 matches to watch in second half of ISL 2021-22 season

The play-offs race in ISL 2021-22 is very tight at the moment.

The first phase of the 2021-22 edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) concludes on the 9th of January. While Mumbai City seem to have carried on their form from the title-winning 2020-21 edition, teams like Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC have also progressed on the league table.

Giants like Bengaluru FC and FC Goa have been uninspiring and continue to fall down the league table. The rise of new competitors and the fall of regulars has given birth to a few exciting rivalries. These teams will have 11 matchdays in the second phase to go at loggerheads against each other from the 10th of January.

We look at 10 matches from the second phase of the ISL that we think will have the bragging rights and title-deciding points and ones you shouldn't miss.

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10. Kerala Blasters Vs Mumbai City - 16th January 2022

Mumbai City FC were the most in-form team in the league until they met Kerala Blasters in the first phase. However, a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of the Kochi-based side that also saw the Islanders lose their captain to a red card, seems to have turned the tide of Mumbai's campaign.

The Islanders are yet to recover from that defeat, as they have dropped points in every game they have played since then. Des Buckingham's men will have revenge on their minds when they face Kerala on the 16th of January.

9. SC East Bengal Vs Odisha FC - 7th February 2022

The 2021-22 edition of the ISL has already witnessed some very high-scoring games. One of the high-scoring games played early on was between Odisha FC and East Bengal.

Otherwise struggling to score goals, East Bengal's forwards enjoyed playing against what is statistically the joint-weakest defence of the league so far. The Red and Gold saw four goals scored by them and yet lost the game by a margin of two goals. This one promises to be a goal-feast again.

8. ATK Mohun Bagan Vs SC East Bengal - 29th January 2022

It has been a forgettable season again for East Bengal so far in the ISL. The Red and Gold have finished playing their games in the first half and are at the bottom of the league table. ATK Mohun Bagan, however, have a lot to play for in the second phase of the league. They're still in the fray for the playoffs.

The second Kolkata Derby of the 2021-22 edition of the ISL promises to be an exciting affair, as East Bengal will fight with all their might for the bragging rights.

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7. Mumbai City FC Vs ATK Mohun Bagan - 3rd February 2022

After scoring seven goals in two games and collecting all six points, ATK Mohun Bagan were the team to beat at the start of the season and the Islanders did just that in style. Mumbai City handed the Mariners their biggest defeat of the season on the third matchday of the season.

The high-flying Mariners were brought back down to earth as Mumbai scored five goals. ATKMB were also reduced to 10 men, as Deepak Tangri was given his marching orders at the beginning of the second half. ATK Mohun Bagan would hope Mumbai City's slump in form continues until they face each other in the second phase.

6. Jamshedpur FC Vs Mumbai City - 21st January 2022

Des Buckingham respects and admires Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle. The Islanders' English tactician praised his Jamshedpur counterpart before and after the two sides met each other in the first phase of the ISL.

Mumbai came out on top against Coyle's Jamshedpur, as the two teams scored six goals between them. When the two teams face each other in the second phase of the season, everyone will be curious to see if Coyle manages to get the better of Des Buckingham or the former Melbourne City manager does a double over his idol.

5. Kerala Blasters Vs Bengaluru FC - 30th January 2022

Kerala Blasters and Bengaluru FC have developed a healthy rivalry between themselves over the years they have faced each other in the Indian Super League. Often referred to as the South Indian Derby, the fixture between these two sides always attracts attention.

The first phase saw the two sides play out a draw. So, the bragging rights for this season's derby is still out there to play for when the two teams play on Martyrs' Day.

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4. Kerala Blasters Vs Chennaiyin FC - 15th February 2022

The other South Indian Derby on the list involves the Blasters and Chennaiyin FC. However, the game between Kerala and the Marina Machans will have more than just bragging rights to play for in the later days of the second phase.

With both teams having almost similar points and lurking around the final playoffs position, the game on the 15th of February could knock one of the two or even both teams out of the fray for a spot in the playoffs.

3. Hyderabad FC Vs Mumbai City FC - 24th February 2022

Hyderabad FC and Mumbai City FC are the top two teams on the league table. Hyderabad's campaign has been a surprise for many so far. The Nizams showed their intention to compete for the top position after defeating the Islanders on Matchday 2.

A mere point separates the two clubs on the points table and the Nizams have a game in hand. The top of the table clash comes very late in the second phase and so, it will be one of the final chances for the two teams to stake their claim on the Asian Champions League qualification position.

2. Odisha FC Vs Hyderabad FC - 27th January 2022.

Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC are two of the newest clubs in the Indian Super League. They're also two of the four best attacking sides this season. So naturally, when the two take the field against each other, a goal-feast is expected.

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When the two met each other in the first half, Hyderabad FC humiliated Odisha by scoring six goals, courtesy of a brace from their talisman Bartholomew Ogbeche. Only three points separate the two teams. So, the game on the 27th January will have a lot of say on the fate of both.

1. FC Goa Vs Mumbai City FC - 20th February 2022.

Mumbai and Goa play the Western Derby. Goa have largely been underwhelming in the ISL this season. They can credit their poor start to the campaign to the Islanders, who defeated them by three goals on the opening day of the 2021-22 edition of the ISL.

But, the Gaurs can still make it back in the play-off positions with a better second half of the season. However, to do that, they will have to get the better of the Islanders on the 20th February of 2022.

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