The 2022-23 Indian Super League will kick off on October 7 when last season’s runners-up Kerala Blasters host East Bengal in Kochi. ATK Mohun Bagan, who could play the AFC Cup inter-zonal final on October 5, begin their campaign on October 10 with a home match against Chennaiyin FC.

The league’s first Derby is slated for October 29 with Bagan ‘hosting’ East Bengal at the Salt Lake Stadium. The return leg will be on February 25.

This season onwards, ISL will have a new playoff format. The top two teams at the end of the league stage will automatically qualify for the semi-finals.

Teams finishing between third and sixth will feature in a single-leg playoff to determine the other two semi-finalists. The league will also see fans back in the stadiums after a gap of two seasons. Defending champions Hyderabad FC begin on October 9 at home against Mumbai City.

Mohammedan Sporting eye win to top Group A

Mohammedan Sporting take on Bengaluru FC at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday with the top spot in Group A of the Indian Oil Durand Cup at stake. Both have qualified for the quarter final stage. Mohammedan Sporting (nine points from three matches) need a draw to top the group, while Bengaluru will have to log full points.

“For us every single match is important. We are taking one game at a time,” Mohammedan Sporting’s Marcus Joseph told the Durand Cup media. “This tournament is helping us to prepare for the upcoming I-League. So we cannot take any match lightly,” he added.

Mohammedan Sporting will be keen to finish on top which will pit them against Group D runners-up Kerala Blasters.

A second spot will see a last-eight match against a much stronger Odisha FC. In Imphal, Chennaiyin FC defeated Trau FC 4-1 in a Group C tie. In Group A, Jamshedpur FC beat IAF 2-1 at the Kishore Bharati Stadium.

Today’s matches: NEUFC vs Sudeva (3pm); Mohammedan Sporting vs BFC (6pm). Live on Sports18 1.