It is the valentine's week but if you have nothing to do with that, football has got you covered. For the first time in the history of the Premier League, the players are going to get a winter break. Champions League, on the other hand, is just on the horizon and the Indian Super League is hot and running too.
But with other leagues still active and running, we can't help you in building your fantasy team in Nostragamus. Here are some of the players who might steal the spotlight this week.
Player: Manuel Onwu
Team: Odisha FC
Match: Odisha FC vs NorthEast United
The Spanish forward signed for Bengaluru FC in the start of the ISL season but his sorry run of form for the blues made him switch shirts midway into the season as he joined Odisha FC on loan in the winter transfer window. Odisha, struggling to find the net in absence of Aridane Santana, were looking for a boost in their frontline and Onwu has given them just that.
The 32-year-old is on track to overturn his season already, having scored three goals in his last two appearances. Both his brace against Goa and his consolation against ATK ended in losses but Joseph Gambau would take "goal scoring" off his list of problems.
In their next encounter against NorthEast United, who are currently nine points above the bottom, Odisha would certainly start as favourites. But the catch is, although NEUFC are third from the bottom, only ATK and BFC have conceded fewer goals than them. They have shown resilience in the back. So, if Odisha are to break them down, Onwu is definitely their best bet.
Player: Sunil Chhetri
Team: Bengaluru FC
Match: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC
If there is one player in India who makes football look easy, it is the captain fantastic, Sunil Chhetri. The Bengaluru FC skipper is technically brilliant but what makes him so difficult to defend is his positional awareness and ability to read the opponents.
Chhetri has scored nine goals in this instalment of the Indian Super League. Bengaluru are four points off the top and as they prepare to face eighth-placed Kerala Blasters, who have not won in their last four matches, Chhetri will surely be one of the key players in Carles Cuadrat's plans. Bengaluru have not lost a single game in ISL this year when Sunil has scored.
The 35-year-old has shown no signs of ageing and has four goals and an assist against KBFC and he would love to add to his tally in the next match.
Player: Hugo Boumous
Team: FC Goa
Match: FC Goa vs Mumbai City FC
The Moroccan youngster has been the backbone of FC Goa‘s success story this season. His creativity in the centre of the park has been hugely influential in most of the fixtures and his tally of eight goals and six assists speaks volumes about his ability.
The 24-year-old was directly involved in six of the eleven goals scored by Goa in the last three outings so if the Mumbai defenders find him difficult to defend, no eyebrows would be raised. Keeping him the team is a must for anyone playing.
Player: Ciro Immobile
Team: Lazio
Match: Lazio vs Inter
The one player who has finally risen up above the rest in this season is the Lazio frontman Ciro Immobile. The Italian international has made scoring look ridiculously easy as he has scored an immaculate 25 goals in just 22 games. His pace and precision has been the key to his success.
Serie A is jammed at the top with only a point separating the top three. As Lazio get ready to host Conte's Inter, this can be a very crucial fixture in the scheme of things and Simone Inzaghi would love to see his captain stepping up to the occasion.
Inter are also in a great run of form under Conte. They won't give up a single shred of grass without a fight and if Lazio want to get out winners in the match, Immobile has to bring his usual best to the table.
Player: Danny Ings
Team: Southampton FC
Match: Southampton vs Burnley
Finally, Danny Ings is firing. The English international has been in the fray for a long time and given his talent, it was just a matter of time when he finds his scoring boots. Since his move to Southampton, he has looked more dangerous in front of goal. This has resulted in him scoring 14 goals in 25 league games.
Ralph Husenhuttle's men faced a four-goal drubbing at the hands of Liverpool and their scoring has been off the mark. But surprisingly, Burnley are above them in the table, scoring three goals fewer.
One does not have to be a genius to guess that it is going to be a defensive affair. Therefore, Ings' game would be very crucial if Southampton want to squeeze out a point from the match against Sean Dyche's men.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Alberto Pizzoli
