Riveting I-League title-race to finish today

Four teams in with chance to claim the crown

The I-League title race is down to a dramatic final day with as many as four contenders, across three matches, seeking a coronation to remember.

The title looked wrapped up a few days ago but leaders Minerva Punjab's shocking defeat to Chennai City left the race for the silverware tantalisingly poised.

On the eve of the last round of matches, Minerva lead the table with 33 points, followed by Neroca FC (31), Mohun Bagan (30) and East Bengal (30).

All these four teams are in with a chance and play their respective matches simultaneously.

East Bengal will count on home advantage against Neroca  in their last-gasp bid to win the trophy. On their part, Neroca, another surprise package form the North-East after Aizawl FC, defied expectations to come this far. Minerva host Churchill Brothers in Panchkula and Mohun Bagan face Gokulam Kerala in Kozhikode.

Permutations and combinations are certain to come into the picture. East Bengal can lift their maiden I-League title if they manage to beat Neroca FC and hope that both Minerva Punjab and Mohun Bagan lose their respective games.

But it's advantage Minerva Punjab who need only a win to seal the deal, failing which they will have to depend on favourable results from the other two matches.

Second-placed Neroca  can lift the trophy on their debut season if they defeat East Bengal and pray that Minerva Punjab do not pick up three points against Churchill Brothers.

Mohun Bagan shot back into contention thanks to Minerva Punjab's slip-ups lately.

A win on the final day against Gokulam Kerala away could see them being crowned champions, if other results go their way.

If three teams finish on 33 points, then Mohun Bagan will lift their second I-league trophy as cumulative points collected from four fixtures against the other three teams will be taken into account.

Mohun Bagan have seven points with a double over East Bengal and a draw against Minerva.

Minerva have picked up five points (win and draw against Bagan and another draw against East Bengal) whereas East Bengal have managed to gather only four points (win and a draw against Minerva).

With relegation looming large, Churchill Brothers will surely go all out and that should make Minerva's task much harder.  However, even if Minerva lose and finish with 32 points they can still be champions, provided all the other results go in their favour.