Following on from our mid-season report on those teams in the top five, the spotlight firmly moves on to those occupying the bottom five places in the table.
These are the teams hoping that 2018 will bring a change in fortune to their new years wish list.
6th: ATK
W: 3 | D: 3 | L: 3 | GD: -2 | PTS: 12
The two-time champions of the league are now somewhat struggling compared to previous years. A positive is their 0-1 win in their game in hand against NorthEast, which saw them jump two places to sixth.
ATK’s marquee signing Robbie Keane has not been firing on all cylinders to say the least. The former Premier League has only scored twice in his five outings. A genuine goal scorer seems to be missing for ATK and the reigning champions need things to change dramatically for any sort of success this year.
Having to make the least tackles in the division this year and keeping the second most clean sheets shows ATK have to find a way to goal a lot quicker and definitely more frequently.
7th: Kerala Blasters FC
W: 2 | D: 5 | L: 2 | GD: -2 | PTS: 11
A 3-1 victory away at the Delhi Dynamos this week, pushed the Blasters up to sixth in the table. A first win for new Manager David James thanks to a somewhat fortunate Iain Hume hat-trick.
That win meant that they have only beaten the bottom two clubs in the division which could be a problem come the business end of the campaign.
With Hume and Dimitar Berbatov’s experience in the squad, Kerala will certainly be looking to turn some of those draws into victories if they want any chance of a top-five finish.
8th: Jamshedpur FC
W: 2 | D: 4 | L: 3 | GD: -1 | PTS: 10
Yawn. Steve Coppell has brought along a grit to Jamshedpur which is proven in their defence. The best record in the league to be exact, only conceding six goals. But, add the fact that they have only scored five and this shows why they are so low down in the division.
What brings hope is that Jamshedpur are staying in games and making it difficult for opposition teams. Their wins have come against bottom side Delhi and top of the table Bengaluru. This highlights the promise that Coppell’s men have and if they can turn those tight games in to their favour then a rise up the table will surely be on the horizon.
9th: NorthEast United FC
W: 2 | D: 1 | L: 6 | GD: -10 | PTS: 7
A gap is starting to form between NorthEast and the rest of the division. This got worse with a 1-0 loss to ATK in their game in hand. Things have not gone to plan for NorthEast this season and its clear to see why.
Having only scored four goals, they are the lowest scorers in the ISL this season. Avram Grant needs to help united find a ruthless streak where they are to break down and bury their chances when they come around.
A definite positive was the 2-1 victory over FC Goa at the beginning of the year. This result will surely rejuvenate NorthEast and give them hope going into the second part of the season.
10th: Delhi Dynamos FC
W: 1 | D: 1 | L: 7 | GD: -16 | PTS: 4
Bottom of the table and going nowhere. When Delhi won away at Pune on the first day of the campaign, things were looking very positive for the Dynamos. Pass forward eight games and that all changed.
Seven defeats and one draw were to follow leaving the Delhi outfit rock bottom with the worst defence in the competition. If there are any positives, it is that they have scored the most goals by teams outside of the top six.
Obviously, that is clutching at straws and a huge change in fortune is needed or maybe even a masterclass in management by Miguel Angel Portugal. Either way, a miracle is needed for the Dynamos not to finish bottom.