No clear favourites as I-League starts on Saturday

KOLKATA: There is absolutely no denying that the I-League has been slipping from its position of pride over the last few years with the Indian Super League growing in importance and stature.
This season, the I-League has received a blow with defending champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal -- two of its most-prominent entities -- joining the ISL bandwagon. It's true the I-League has produced many memorable chapters -- like Aizawl FC's title-winning campaign -- but losing the Kolkata giants is a big jolt.
The 2020-21 edition - which starts on Saturday - will have a different look and feel to it.
Like the I-League qualifiers in October, the I-League will also be held in Bengal at four grounds. The Salt Lake Stadium, Kalyani Stadium and Mohun Bagan ground will host the matches from the start while Kishore Bharati Stadium is set to be in operation from next month.
As has become the norm in the pandemic times, the league will be played with the teams in bio-bubble and the contingent tested regularly. The matches will also be played behind closed doors.
Local representative and promoted Mohammedan Sporting Club will set the ball rolling when they face debutants Sudeva Delhi FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday while there will be two other matches on the day: Punjab FC taking on Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala locking horns with Chennai City FC.
A new format will be in place as well. The 11 teams will face each other once before the top-six will be placed in Group A and fight for the title while the bottom-five -- in Group B -- will look to stave off relegation. Indian Arrows and Sudeva Delhi have immunity from relegation. The points from the first phase will be carried forward to the second stage so there might be a case where a team from Group A may end up with lesser points than a Group B side in the final standings.
It looks a very open league with no clear favourites. IFA Shield champions Real Kashmir FC, Mohammedan SC, Gokulam Kerala, Churchill Brothers and Punjab FC -- who have last season's star-player Joseba Beitia in their ranks -- should be in the mix while the likes of Neroca FC, TRAU, Aizawl FC and Chennai City are sides that will give any team a run for their money. Sudeva FC will look to make their mark in their opening season and Arrows are known to throw up new players and pull off a few surprises.
The I-League champions, apart from getting Rs 1 crore, will also earn a place in the AFC Cup group stage.
The I-League has always been extremely competitive with the last five seasons having five different champions. It promises to be exciting this season as well.