It’s another week of riveting football action as the English Premier League will be rekindled by the Manchester United-Liverpool rivalry, while AC Milan look to make their mark in Italy with a return of one of their own- Zlatan Ibrahimovic- finding his footing in the Serie A.
In the Indian Super League, Mumbai City welcome the champions Bengaluru FC in what is sure to be a feisty clash, while high flying Odisha FC will hope to continue their form as they face Hyderabad FC.
With so many spicy encounters to look forward to this week, Nostragamus fantasy managers could find themselves in a pickle. There are plenty of viable players to choose this weekend, but here are five names who could make the difference and give fantasy players some much-needed points.
SUNIL CHHETRI
Club: Bengaluru FC
Match: Mumbai City FC vs Bengaluru FC
India’s leading goal-scorer in last season’s ISL took some time to get going this term but the talismanic forward has well and truly found his goal scoring boots now. The striker has eight goals to his name, and scored in their previous game which was a 2-0 win over Jamshedpur FC. Chhetri also scored in the reverse fixture between the two sides earlier this season and would be optimistic to keep that record going.
XISCO HERNANDEZ
Club: Odisha FC
Match: Hyderabad FC vs Odisha FC
The Spanish winger ran the show for his club in their previous game against Mumbai City FC, setting up the first with a delightful pass from the right flank and scoring the second with a well-taken volley in a memorable home performance. The Spaniard has been the creative genius for his side, with his trickery and delicate passes lighting up the Indian Super League. Hernandez has five goals so far in the competition and a clash against bottom side Hyderabad FC would be a good chance to add to that tally.
FERRAN COROMINAS
Club: FC Goa
Match: ATK vs FC Goa
He’s the leading scorer of this season’s Indian Super League and would be confident of augmenting that tally in the clash against ATK. Ferran Corominas, better known simply as Coro, scored in the return fixture between the two sides and has also scored five goals in his last five appearances. With such an impeccable track record, it would be stupid to not have him in your fantasy teams.
TAMMY ABRAHAM
Club: Chelsea
Match: Newcastle vs Chelsea
Chelsea cruised to a comfortable 3-0 home victory against Burnley in game week 22 of the Premier League. Amongst the scorers for Frank Lampard’s side was 22-year-old Tammy Abraham. The centre forward has truly lifted the ‘number 9’ off the club, scoring 13 times for the Blues, benefiting from the good play from wingers Willian and Mason Mount.
High on confidence, the lanky striker will now target Steve Bruce’s Newcastle, who are struggling to make up the numbers in defence with the likes of Jamal Laschelles, Paul Dumett and Fabian Schar all out injured.
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC
Club: AC Milan
Match: AC Milan vs SPAL
The intimidating striker from Sweden needed no time to adjust to his new club, as he scored in just his second appearance since joining from MLS franchise LA Galaxy. Ibrahimovic has been a proven goalscorer wherever he has been, and a home game against bottom team SPAL will be a good chance to augment that reputation. SPAL have conceded 28 times this season until now, and Ibrahimovic might just add to their misery this game week.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @OdishaFC
