I-League 2018-19: Results of the battle of relegation

As the top of the I-League table prepares for an exciting high point in the approaching commercial end of the tournament, the battle for survival at the bottom of the hierarchy is also warming up.

Just weeks before the end of the season, the battle for relegation has taken a definitive form and is awaiting a verdict that will send one of the teams to the second division.

Four teams, Minerva Punjab, Aizawl FC, Gokulam Kerala and Shilong Lajong, fight for their survival at the bottom of the table.

We examine the remaining devices and discuss relegation scenarios.

Minerva Punjab

Points needed to avoid relegation: 1

Calendar on the left: East Bengal (Home), City of Chennai (Outdoors), Real Kashmir (Exterior)

The defending champions have clearly had a season to forget so far, considering their inclusion in the roster. But Minerva Punjab is practically immune to relegation and only needs one point to stay alive mathematically in the first division.

The next matches are against the top three teams in the league. They can not take this favorable position for granted. But the fact that they could avoid relegation even by losing all their matches, if Shillong Lajong lost a point, should relieve the champions.

Aizawl FC

Points needed to avoid relegation: 4

Calendar left: Churchill brothers (at home), Shillong Lajong (at home), East Bengal (Outdoors), Gokulam Kerala (outside)

The 2016-17 league champions are also practically immune to relegation. To seal it mathematically, they must collect four points in their last four games.

However, a win over Shillong Lajong can also seal the deal. This would mean that Lajong can no longer catch up with Aizawl and that the People's Club avoids falling. A draw against Gokulam Kerala would also serve the same purpose.

Gokulam Kerala

Points needed to avoid relegation: 3

Upcoming Remains: Aizawl FC (Home), East Bengal (Home), NEROCA FC (Home)

Gokulam Kerala only needs three points to avoid relegation. A face-to-face record against Shillong allowed the Kerala team to need only one win from its remaining matches. The match against Aizawl could be crucial for Kerala. A win by two goals or more could give them an advantage if the tiebreaker broke a record.

The other two games are not easy, but the fact that all three games are played at home means that Kerala will provide security in all likelihood.

The club can avoid relegation, even losing all of its games, if Shillong loses one of his matches or shoots both.

Shillong Lajong

Points needed to avoid relegation: 6 + other results are going their way

Calendar left: Mohun Bagan (at home), Aizawl (outside)

The chances of survival are extremely low for Shillong, 11th. Even if they manage to win both games, they can still be relegated to the second division.

Shillong must hope that one of Minerva Punjab, Aizawl and Gokulam Kerala will lose their last matches. However, there is still a way out for Shillong. The Aizawl game will be the key to their chances. Shillong must beat Aizawl and hope the former champions lose six points on nine of their remaining games. At the same time, a defeat of two or more goals in this match can mathematically relegate them to the second division.