I-League title race scenario: Bengaluru’s to lose
The 2013-14 title race has been the most competitive in the I-League’s history and three clubs still remain in contention. The title is Bengaluru FC’s to lose as they are the current leaders but slip-ups in their final two games could open the door for either Salgaocar or East Bengal. Sportskeeda analyses the title race scenario.
Bengaluru FC
Current Position: First; Points: 41 Goal Difference: +13
Remaining fixtures: Dempo (away) – April 21; Sporting Clube (away) – April 28
Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC
What they need
The title race is completely in Bengaluru’s hands as they only need to win any one out their two remaining fixtures to be crowned champions. Even two draws will be enough if Salgaocar fail to win their final fixture and East Bengal drop points in any one of their last two matches.
Salgaocar
Current Position: Second; Points: 38 Goal Difference: +7
Remaining fixture: Churchill Brothers (home) – April 28
What they need
The Goan club are still in the title race ONLY because they could gain one point if they win their appeal of the points deduction against Pune FC for fielding two ineligible players. Salgaocar drew that game 1-1 but Pune were awarded a 3-0 victory as Salgaocar had played two ineligible players. The AIFF appeals committee is expected to give a verdict on April 23 and Salgaocar are likely to get that point back. But even if that happens, Salgaocar need to both win their final game and depend on results of Bengaluru and East Bengal. They need Bengaluru to lose both their matches and East Bengal to drop points in any one of their two remaining fixtures.
East Bengal
Current Position: Third; Points: 37 Goal Difference:+12
Remaining fixtures: Pune FC (away) – April 19; United SC (away) – April 28
What they need
The equation for East Bengal is simpler than that of Salgaocar as they need to win their final two games and hope that Bengaluru FC drop points in their last two matches. If Bengaluru draw those two games and East Bengal win their final two outings, both teams will finish on 43 points but East Bengal will win the title due to a better head-to-head record as they have done the double over Bengaluru FC.
Head-to-head record
The only possibility of all three teams finishing on the same points is if Salgaocar win their final game but don’t get the one point against Pune FC, Bengaluru lose both their games and East Bengal get four points from their final two outings. In that case all three will finish on 41 points but East Bengal have the most points in the mini head-to-head table among the three and thus will be crowned champions. If Salgaocar and Bengaluru finish on the same number points, Bengaluru will win the trophy as they have beaten Salgaocar both home and away.
Mini head-to-head table
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| East Bengal | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| Bengaluru FC | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Salgaocar | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |