Chennaiyin FC stand on the cusp of something special ahead of their AFC Cup clash against Minerva Punjab in Guwahati -- if they win their last two remaining group games of the continental competition starting Wednesday, they will become the first Indian Super League (ISL) champions to advance to the AFC Cup knockout stages.

Level on points with Dhaka Abahani of Bangladesh, Chennaiyin can even ensure a group win should they pick up three points and Abahani lose their home game against Manang Marshyangdi...

The AFC Cup is the second tier of Asia's continental club competition. The group stages will see 36 teams compete in nine groups of four each, with each group divided geographically. India's representation comes by the way of 2017-18 I-league champions Minerva Punjab and 2017-18 ISL champions Chennaiyin FC, both of whom are clubbed in the South Zone group - Group E. The two teams will play each other on Wednesday at 7:30 PM IST in Ahmedabad - the designated venue for Chennaiyin's home matches in...

The first line sums up their pre-season prediction, while the second looks at their performance this season.

ATK

Pre-season prediction:

Under Coppell, expect more discipline, but who will fetch goals?

Final report:

Scrapped hard all season, but goals never came often enough.

Bengaluru FC

Pre-season prediction:

The nucleus remaining the same, can they maintain standard throughout?

Final report:

Never at fluent best, yet table toppers. Favourites for title?

Chennaiyin FC

Pre-season...