I-League Preview Week 7

As the I-League comes into its 7th week, which marks the halfway point in the HT World, arsenalian looks at the exciting fixtures coming up.

To start off, I'll give you a short summary of how the season has been so far:

Just like last season, 3 teams have run off away from the rest of the pack, Bangalore Tigers, kaiserslegion, and Chennai Farmers. These 3 teams have obtained 15 points from the 6 rounds played so far. The others have not really had a good season so far, especially newly promoted Tullamarine, who still have to open their account. MUWCI and Ruthless Wreckers are on 9 point in 4th and 5th respectively, while last season's Cup winners, Timberland are 6th with 6 points, just ahead of the Stratocasters, with 3 points. It looks like it is going to be a good race at the top between the 3 teams, who are separated by goal difference at the moment.

Here are the 4 matches to be played on Sunday:

M.U.W.C.I - Bangalore Tigers (261362340)
The match to watch out for, its 2nd vs 4th, last year's 1st vs 5th. These are two expert managers going head to head at the King's Lawn, galdo and sunjay. It should be a close, tactical match, despite the Tigers being favorites for this one. The Tigers have one of their forwards injured, a defender and a goalie bruised, while MUWCI has no injury problems. Interestingly, the last 3 meetings between the two have all ended in favour of the away team, and I wouldn't be surprised f that carries on today.

Stratocasters - Chennai Farmers (261362342)
3rd vs 7th, another interesting match. The Stratocasters do have a chance in this one, although Chennai are clear favorites. A factor contributing to the likelihood of the away team getting 3 points from this one, is that Stratocasters' midfielder Alexander Zhelondz was injured on Wednesday in a Cup match in which his team surprisingly lost. It might be one sided, but some tactical brilliance for the home team's manager might just get them a result from this one.

Tullamarine - kaiserslegion (261362343)
The result of this match is pretty obvious, everyone would say that atulemo's kaiserslegion are favorites. The leaders play the only team to not have opened their account so far. It should be an easy win for the away team, without any doubt.

Ruthless Wreckers - Timberland (261362344)
This is probably the closest match of the weekend, 5th vs 6th. Wreckers might just have the edge in this one, but it is definitely not an obvious result. A very close match, but the home advantage might just tip the balance in favour of the Wreckers. However, some good tactics from Timberland could see them get a result.

Predictions:

MUWCI lose to Banglaore
Stratocasters lose to Chennai
Tullamarine lose to kaiserslegion
Wreckers draw with Timberland

League table if predictions are right, without goal difference

1. kaiserslegion - 18 pts
2. Bangalore Tigers - 18 pts
3. Chennai Farmers - 18 pts
4. Ruthless Wreckers - 10 pts
5. MUWCI - 9 pts
6. Timberland - 7 pts
7. Stratocasters - 3 pts
8. Tullamarine - 0 pts.

The only change according to me would be that Wreckers and MUWCI switch places (4th and 5th), and I'll be back with the same set of fixtures next week (other than home/away being swapped) in the I-League, which is becoming more exciting day by day.

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