ISL 2018-19: 5 matches you should not miss post international break
With the Indian football team exiting the AFC Asian Cup 2019 at the group stage after consecutive losses to UAE and Bahrain, the Indian Super League's fifth season will resume 25th January onwards.
Before the break, Bengaluru FC went unbeaten in 11 matches winning 8 of those, NorthEast United got the right results to set them up for their maiden entry into the playoffs stage and FC Pune City, Kerala Blasters FC, Delhi Dynamos FC and Chennaiyin FC ruled themselves out of the running for the qualification to the knockout stages.
A lot happened over the international break with the defending champions parting ways with their league winning manager David James and ATK going all out in the transfer market to bring talents like Edu Garcia and Pritam Kotal to the club to push for top four.
With six teams eyeing the top four positions, let's take a look at the five most exciting matches in the upcoming 40 days of football scheduled for us.
#1 Mumbai City FC VS Bengaluru FC
The team in second in the table, Mumbai City FC hosts the table toppers Bengaluru FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on the first Sunday after the local football carnival resumes.
Sunil Chhetri might have played his final major tournament with the national team and would be looking to overcome the heartbreak as his side have their work cut out in the first match after the international break. On the other hand, Amrinder Singh will finally be looking to get back on the football pitch after a month as he leads his side out against the Blues.
A win for Bengaluru might put them out of other teams' reach while a win for Mumbai would help their top four ambitions as they face a tough round of upcoming fixtures.
Date: 27th January