The I-League, in a changed format, begins a new journey from Saturday without defending champions Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

Unlike the previous editions, all 11 teams will face each other once during the first phase in a round-robin league. Then the top six will play for the championship and the other five will slog it out to beat the drop. Sudeva Delhi FC and AIFF’s developmental side Indian Arrows are protected from relegation.

Mohammedan Sporting, who are back in the I-League after seven years, are one of the favourites for the title. They begin their campaign at the Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday when they take on new entrants Sudeva.

“Staying in a bio-bubble isn’t easy. But like other teams we’ve to accept this. Fans expect Mohammedan Sporting to do well. Also the tournament will be played in Bengal and we are the only team from the state. The onus is on us to do well,” Mohammedan Sporting technical director Sankarlal Chakraborty said.