ISL Football – Indian Super League
While India has certainly become the main global force in terms of Twenty20 cricket, they have attempted to make similar inroads with football (known in the Americas as soccer). It’s a journey that has had some success as the Indian Super League, or ISL, gathers interest domestically and on a wider scale and the 2019-20 edition promises to build on the foundations set.
And saying “some success” would be an understatement following the All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee’s recommendation – in October 2019 – to elevate the franchise-based Indian Super League to the top division of Indian football, at the expense of the I-League.
ISL 2019-20 will take place between October 20, 2019 through March 8, 2020.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
| Host country: | India |
| Administrator: | All India Football Federation |
| Confederation: | AFC |
| First edition: | 2014 |
| Format: | Double round-robin followed by playoffs |
| Number of teams: | 10 |
| Defending champion: | Bengaluru FC |
| Most championships: | Atletico de Kolkata and Chennaiyin FC (2) |
| Top goal scorer: | Ferran ‘Coro’ Telechea (34) |
BEST WEBSITE FOR ISL FOOTBALL BETTING
Football, one will do well to remembers, is oftentimes referred to as soccer by online bookmakers. This is to differentiate between North American football (such as NFL) and the global, and much more popular, sport.
For the Indian betting folk who would like to take a punt on Indian Super League, we recommend Betway for some of the best ISL betting odds. While there are other sites that offer ISL odds—Betfair, for instance—we find it very difficult to deposit with such websites from India.
Each portal brings something to the table for sports betting. All things considered, Betway is our favourite site for online betting because they offer a full suite of sports betting options. Moreover, making a deposit (INR betting) with Betway is very convenient. However, while they do offer ISL betting odds, we have not found in-play odds.
Restrictions for all offers may apply, see terms and conditions for details. Must be 18 years or older. Gamble responsibly.
POPULAR ISL BETTING MARKETS
Sportsbooks such as Betway and 10cric offer different football betting markets. Some of the popular ones include:
- Home win/Draw/Away win
- Total goals in the match
- Both teams to score
- Match winner and Both teams to score COMBO
- Double chance
ISL FOOTBALL BETTING: HOW TO DEPOSIT
When depositing from India, we recommend using e-wallets: in particular, Neteller and Skrill. You can find more on our dedicated pages (Skrill and Neteller), but to summarize, they work like online bank accounts. You can load money onto your e-wallet using several methods including credit/debit cards and bank transfers (wire transfers). Once you have loaded money onto your e-wallet, you will be able to deposit and withdraw on any betting websites that accept it as a payment method.
Betway accepts Skrill and Neteller besides bank transfer and a host of other options such as AstroPay and Visa.
Learn more about e-wallets on our deposit page.
INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE FORMAT
Ten teams will vie for glory and they will contest a double round-robin format (home and away). The four top teams at the end of the league stage progress to the playoffs.
In keeping with football rules from around the world, three points are awarded for a win, one point for a draw and zero for a defeat. If sides are level on the same number of points, goal difference comes into play and the team with the better goal difference will have the higher place in the table.
The playoffs see the teams clash in two semi-finals, each of which is played over two legs (home and away). The first round is between the first and fourth-placed teams while the second and third-placed teams face-off in the second semifinal. At the end of the two playoff rounds, the teams that lead on aggregate goals move to the final.
The ISL final is a single-leg affair and it takes place at a neutral venue. If scores are tied on aggregate, 30 minutes of extra time determines the winner. And if scores are still tied, penalties decide who is crowned champion.
As you see, unlike the Indian Premier League cricket, the playoffs are straight knockouts and so there are no eliminators or qualifiers here. The format, therefore, is very simple in comparison.
INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE 2019-20 TEAMS
ISL comprises ten teams across nine Indian states. Contrary to other, international football leagues, the Indian Super League does not employ promotion and relegation. Instead, there is expansion; a concept seen in Major League Soccer (US) and A-League (Australia).
ATLETICO DE KOLKATA (ATK) FC
City: Kolkata, West Bengal
Home ground: Salt Lake Stadium
Head coach: Antonio López Habas
Captain: Roy Krishna
Roster
Goalkeepers: Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, Arindam Bhattacharya, Avilash Paul
Defenders: Pritam Kotal, Boris Singh Moirangthem, John Johnson, Agus Garcia, Anas Edathodika, Salam Ranjan Singh, Ankit Mukherjee, Ricky Lallawmawma, Prabir Das, Sena Ralte
Midfielders: Javi Hernandez, Pronay Halder, Sehnaj Singh, Michael Regin, Dario Vidosic (not registered in ISL), Carl McHugh, Michael Soosairaj, Jayesh Rane, Edu Garcia, Komal Thatal
Forwards: Roy Krishna, David Williams, Jobby Justin, Balwant Singh
BENGALURU FC
City: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Home ground: Sree Kanteerava Stadium
Head coach: Carles Cuadrat
Captain: Sunil Chhetri
Roster
Goalkeepers: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Aditya Patra, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill
Defenders: Harmanjot Khabra, Rino Anto, Rahul Bheke, Nishu Kumar, Parag Shrivas, Albert Serran, Gursimrat Singh Gill, Sairuat Kima, Juanan Gonzalez
Midfielders: Raphael Augusto, Dimas Delgado, Ajay Chhetri, Ashique Kuruniyan, Erik Paartalu, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Kean Lewis, Eugenson Lyngdoh
Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh, Manuel Onwu, Edmund Lalrindika, Thongkhosiem Haokip
CHENNAIYIN FC
City: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Home ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Head coach: Owen Coyle
Captain: Lucian Goian
Roster
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Vishal Kaith, Sanjiban Ghosh
Defenders: Eli Sabia, Lucian Goian, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Edwin Vanspaul, Tondonba Singh, Laldinliana Renthlei, Zohmingliana Ralte, Hendry Antonay, Reamsochung Aimol, Deepak Tangri
Midfielders: Dhanpal Ganesh, Masih Saighani, Thoi Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro, Dragos Firtulescu
Forwards: Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Rahim Ali
FC GOA
City: Margao, Goa
Home ground: Fatorda Stadium
Head coach: Sergio Lobera
Captain: Mandar Rao Dessai
Roster
Goalkeepers: Mohammed Nawaz, Naveen Kumar, Shubham Dhas
Defenders: Aiban Dohling, Amey Ranawade, Carlos , Chinglensana Singh, Mohamed Ali, Savior Gama, Mourtada Fall, Seriton Fernandes
Midfielders: Ahmed Jahouh, Brandon Fernandes, Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous, Kingsley Fernandes, Lenny Rodrigues, Mandar Rao Dessai, Princeton Rebello, Seiminlen Doungel, Jackichand Singh
Forwards: Ferran Corominas, Lalawmpuia, Liston Colaco, Manvir Singh
HYDERABAD FC 
City: Hyderabad, Telangana
Home ground: Hyderabad Athletic Stadium
Head coach: Phil Brown
Captain: Marcelinho
Roster
Goalkeepers: Kamaljit Singh, Laxmikant Kattimani, Anuj Kumar
Defenders: Gurtej Singh, Matthew Kilgallon, Rafael Lopez Gomez, Sahil Panwar, Tarif Akhand, Ashish Rai, Nikhil Poojary
Midfielders: Mohammad Yasir, Adil Khan, Deependra Negi, Gani Ahmed Nigam, Sahil Tavora, Laldanmawia Ralte, Nestor Gordillo, Marko Stankovic, Rohit Kumar, Shankar Sampingiraj, Abhishek Halder
Forwards: Bobo, Giles Barnes, Robin Singh, Marcelinho
JAMSHEDPUR FC
City: Jamshedpur, Jharkhand
Home ground: JRD Tata Sports Complex
Head coach: Antonio Iriondo
Captain: Tiri
Roster
Goalkeepers: Subrata Paul, Amrit Gope, Rafique Ali, Niraj Kumar
Defenders: Tiri, Robin Gurung, Keegan Pereira, Karan Amin, Narender Gahlot, Jitendra Singh, Augustin Fernandes, Joyner Lourenco
Midfielders: Aitor Monroy, Amarjit Singh, Bikash Jairu, Memo Moura, Isaac Vanmalsawma, Piti, Mobashir Rahman, Noe Acosta
Forwards: Sergio Castel, CK Vineeth, Sumeet Passi, Farukh Choudhary, Aniket Jadhav
KERALA BLASTERS FC
City: Kochi, Kerala
Home ground: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Head coach: Eelco Schattorie
Captain: Bartholomew Ogbeche
Roster
Goalkeepers: Bilal Husain Khan, Shibinraj Kunniyil, TP Rehenesh
Defenders: Abdul Hakku, Gianni Zuiverloon, Jairo Rodrigues, Jessel Carneiro, Lalruatthara, Mohamad Rakip, Sandesh Jhingan, Pritam Singh
Midfielders: Darren Claldeira, Halicharan Narzary, Jeakson Singh Thaunaojam, Mario Arques, Mouhamadou Gning, Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sahal Abdul Samad, Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Seityasen Singh, Sergio Cidoncha
Forwards: Bartholomew Ogbeche, Mohammed Rafi, Raphael Messi Bouli
MUMBAI CITY FC
City: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Home ground: Mumbai Football Arena
Head coach: Jorge Costa
Captain: Paulo Machado
Roster
Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Kumar Sawant
Defenders: Anwar Ali, Pratik Chaudhri, Souvik Chakrabarti, Davinder Singh, Mato Grgic, Sarthak Golui, Hmingthan Mawia, Shubhasish Bose
Midfielders: Mohammed Rafique, Raynier Fernandes, Sourav Das, Vignesh Krishnamurty, Rowllin Borges, Surchandra Singh, Bipin Singh, Paulo Machado, Bidyananda Singh, Mohamed Larbi
Forwards: Serge Kevyn, Diego Carlos, Pranjal Bhumij, Alen Deory, Modou Sougou, Amine Chermiti
NORTHEAST UNITED FC
City: Guwahati, Assam
Home ground: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
Head coach: Robert Jarni
Captain: Jose David Leudo
Roster
Goalkeepers: Pawan Kumar, Soram Anganba, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury
Defenders: Mislav Komorski, Kai Heerings, Wayne Vaz, Nim Dorjee Tamang, Pawan Kumar, Provat Lakra, Shouvik Ghosh, Reagan Singh, Rakesh Pradhan
Midfielders: Jose Leudo, Milan Singh, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Lalengmawia, Lalrempuia Fanai, Alfred Lalroutsang, Panagiotis Triadis, Redeem Tlang, Ninthoi Meetei, Nikhil Kadam
Forwards: Maximiliano Barreiro, Asamoah Gyan, Martin Chaves
ODISHA FC
City: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Home ground: Kalinfa Stadium
Head coach: Josep Gombau
Captain: Marcos Tebar
Roster
Goalkeepers: Francisco Dorronsoro, Albino Gomes, Arshdeep Singh, Ankit Bhuyan
Defenders: Gaurav Bora, Carlos Delgado, Rana Gharami, Amit Tudu, Mohammad Sajid Dhot, Narayan Das, Pradeep Mohanraj
Midfielders: S Lalrhezuala, Marcos Tebar, Diawandou Diagne, Vikramjit Singh, Vinit Rai, Martin Perez Guedes, Adria Carmona, Jerry Mawihmingthanga, Xisco Fernandez, Nandha Kumar Sekar, Romeo Fernandes
Forwards: Aridane Santana, Daniel Lalhlimpuia, Seiminmang Manchong, Shubham Sarangi
BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE
ISL was founded in October 2013 with a quest to grow the sport in India and to eventually help the country rise up the world rankings besides becoming a force within the game. There were eight teams initially before two new clubs—Bengaluru and Jamshedpur—were introduced in 2017. The expansion helped spread the game throughout India and the new sides were very welcome additions.
FC Pune City, semi-finalists in ISL 2017-18, were dissolved ahead of the 2019-20 season owing to financial and technical difficulties. Hyderabad FC will make their debut. Also, Delhi Dynamos FC have been rebranded as Odisha FC.
INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE FACTS
Here are some facts and figures surrounding ISL:
- Among current franchises, Kerala Blasters has the most number of coaches (8) while Chennaiyin has the fewest (2)
- At 66, Antonio Iriondo is the oldest coach in ISL
- Sergio Lobera, 42, is the youngest coach in the tournament; he also has the most wins under his belt
- Chennaiyin FC went from champions in 2017-18 to scoring the fewest points ever (9) the very next season
- Bengaluru FC hold the record for the most wins (13) and most points scored (40) in a season, doing so in 2017-18, and yet they came up short: losing to Chennaiyin FC in the final
- FC Goa has recorded the most wins (33) in ISL while the now defunct FC Pune City has the most losses (33); Atletico de Kolkata have scored the most draws (27)
- ISL 2017-18 saw the most number of goals scored in a single season: 261 goals in 95 matches
- Mandar Rao Dessai has the most ISL appearances (77)
- Among Indians in the league, Sunil Chhetri has scored the most number of goals (33)
- Iain Hume has scored three hat-tricks, the most in ISL history
FOOTBALL BETTING FAQs
Is football popular in India?
Football is now extremely popular in India. Domestic competitions such as Indian Super League and international events such as Premier League, La Liga, etc. attract millions of fans. The Champions League and World Cup are other tournaments that football bettors in India are interested in.
Are live-streaming and live betting possible?
Some sportsbooks do not offer live streaming, but most good bookmakers do. Therefore, both live-streaming and live betting are possible if your sportsbook of choice offers them. Do note that live streaming requires a fast and reliable internet connection.
What happens if a scheduled football game is postponed?
If a football match is cancelled or rescheduled, the bookmaker could do one of two things:
- They may consider it ‘void’ and return the stakes
- Or they may re-stake it for the next schedule
Please check with your bookmaker in such an event.
Do football bets include the injury or the extra time?
Football bets on most online bookmakers include 90 minutes (regular match play) and the injury time. But they do not include penalty shootouts and any other extra time. Please check with your bookmaker if they are included for any particular markets.
