The 2016 edition of the I league’s last round will be played this weekend and with it 4 months of top level football will end in India. The Winners were announced last week as Bengaluru, 5 points clear on top, lifted the cup for the 2nd time in 3 years! However, the bottom half of the table presents an interesting conundrum. We have 3 teams that are at the cusp of relegation!
- Bengaluru FC crowned champions for 2nd time in 3 years!
Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Sporting Goa have all ensure their place in the next edition of the I league however, Salgaocar FC, Mumbai FC and Shillong Lajong will play a decisive last round. DSK Shivajians who made their way into the league via a direct spot have an immunity against relegations which will keep them safe this season.
Both Salgaocar and Mumbai FC will avoid relegation shall they manage to get a point each. Things become tricky if they fail to get a single point. Salgaocar have done relatively well throughout the season, so has Shillong and that’s why they are relatively safer than Mumbai FC and Aizawl FC.
Let us have a look at all the 9 possible scenarios that can take place in the final round:
1. If All The 3 Clubs Lose:
It’s Shillong Lajong That Gets Relegated on the basis of points in the league table.
2. If Salgaocar FC and Mumbai FC lose and Shillong Lajong Manages to get a point:
Aizawl FC Will Get relegated on the basis of head to head points.
3. Salgaocar and Mumbai FC lose and Shillong Lajong Manages to Win:
Mumbai FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head goal difference.
4. If Salgaocar FC Wins, Mumbai FC Loses and Shillong Draw:
Mumbai FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head goal difference.
5. If Salgaocar FC Wins, Mumbai FC Loses and Shillong Win:
Mumbai FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head points.
6. If Salgaocar FC Lose, Mumbai FC Win or Draw and Shillong Lajong draw:
Aizawl FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head points
7. If Salgaocar FC Lose, Mumbai FC Win or Draw and Shillong Lajong win:
Aizawl FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head points
8. If Salgaocar FC Win, Mumbai FC Win or Draw and Shillong Lajong win:
Aizawl FC Get relegated on the basis of points on the league table
9. If Salgaocar FC Win or Draw, Mumbai FC Win or Draw and Shillong Lajong Draw:
Aizawl FC Get relegated on the basis of head-to-head points.
CONFUSED?
So, MUMBAI FC Can Get Relegated in 3 of 9 Scenarios, Shillong Lajong in 1 of 9 and Aizawl FC in 5 of 9 scenarios... Meaning Aizawl FC is most likely to get relegated than Mumbai FC and Shillong Lajong! Mumbai also has a higher chance to get relegated than Shillong Lajong!
Regardless of how the last round of fixtures pans out, we can be sure of getting to witness some top notch football!
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