Bengaluru Within Touching Distance of the I League Title

With only a handful of weeks remaining in the I league, the title race is brilliantly and juicily balanced. Bengaluru FC, the runaway leaders are the favourites to win the title but they seem to be running out of steam. Meanwhile from behind, six big clubs are closing in like a pack of wolves..

The I-League table; As It Stands-

Standings

Pos	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1Bengaluru FC	22	12	5	5	37	24	13	41
2  Salgaocar FC	22	11	4	7	30	23	7	37
3  Kingfisher East Bengal Club	20	9	7	4	31	20	11	34
4  Sporting Clube de Goa	22	9	6	7	30	29	1	33
5  Dempo Sports Club	22	8	8	6	26	21	5	32
6  Pune FC	21	8	7	6	28	23	5	31
7  Shillong Lajong FC	21	7	8	6	29	31	-2	29
8  Mumbai FC	22	4	13	5	26	28	-2	25
9  Rangdajied United FC	22	6	6	10	28	36	-8	24
10  McDowell Mohun Bagan A.C	22	5	9	8	21	23	-2	24
11  United Sports Club	21	4	10	7	20	28	-8	22
12  Churchill Brothers SC	20	4	7	9	20	31	-11	19
13  Mohammedan Sporting Club	21	4	6	11	19	28	-9	18

Source- Official I-League Website

Following their comfortable and important win at Kolkata, Bengaluru will now have gained some much needed confidence to tackle their fixtures away from home; something which is very important considering their poor away form. Mathematically, they are the most likely to win and if they can win their remaining two matches, the title will be theirs. 

Meanwhile, amongst the competitors, some major reshuffling has taken place. Pune FC are pretty much out of the race following their latest defeat to Salgoacar. East Bengal have recently notched up a gear. They are in 3rd place with two games in hand and will be looking to capitalize on slip ups from the top two teams. Dempo and Sporting Goa are theoretically in the race but barring a complete debacle from the leaders, they will most likely retain their current rankings.

At the lower end of the table, Churchill Brothers are struggling to stave off a historic relegation. Keeping them company are the Kolkata clubs Mohammedan Sporting and United SC. The fact that only one team will be relegated this season can be of some consolation to them. They have a game in hand and Mohammedan's rock bottom form doesn't seem to be improving.

Each matchday of the I league brings with it unexpected twists and turns. Looking forward to the enticing remaining weeks!