Lionel Messi scored four goals, Cristiano Ronaldo is on an 11-match scoring streak, Robert Lewandowski is scoring braces; in short, normalcy is restored. Football fans can finally go to sleep in peace. In a week full of Champions League, Premier League, Bundesliga and Indian Super League action, it can be really tiring to choose the team of the week for Nostragamus fantasy managers. But we are here to help you out.
Take a look at our picks of the week.
Player: Nerijus Valskis
Team: Chennaiyin FC
Match: NorthEast United vs Chennaiyin FC
The Lithuanian forward has been wreaking havoc in the ISL this season and it will not be an exaggeration to say that he is one of the brightest stars for the Chennai based franchise.
With just a match left in the league stage of the tournament, it is imperative that Chennaiyin finish the league on a high. Ninth placed NorthEast are going to host Chennaiyin, who are fourth in the league, two points behind Bengaluru FC.
Chennaiyin won the reverse fixture back in January, where Valskis was on target. Given the number of goals NorthEast United have conceded, it will difficult for Khalid Jamil and co. to contain the firepower of Valskis.
Player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Team: Juventus
Match: Lyon vs Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in a scorching form. You just cannot write him off because every time he will come back stronger. He has scored in 11 consecutive matches and set another record, having scored in his 1000th career appearance against SPAL. The leading goal scorer in the UEFA Champions League will be travelling to France to face Olympique Lyon at Groupama Stadium.
Ronaldo has a very good record against the French side. He has scored four and assisted six in ten matches.
Player: Lionel Messi
Team: Barcelona
Match: Napoli vs Barcelona
When Ronaldo scores, can Messi be far behind? Eibar were on the receiving end of lord Messi's wrath as he scored four goals past them in the last match. Barcelona will face Napoli in Champions League in their next fixture at the San Paolo stadium and Gennaro Gattuso's men would have to come up with something extraordinary to stop Messi's strides.
Napoli have been underperforming this season and are sixth in the Serie A table. They have already conceded 35 goals in the league till now. Messi has been the shining light for Barcelona amidst a lot of turmoil. He has scored 23 and assisted 15 in all competitions and is hungry for more. The Eibar match will only boost his confidence and the Napoli team doctors should be getting ready to treat a couple of broken ankles.
Player: Robert Lewandowski
Team: Bayern Munich
Match: Chelsea vs Bayern Munich
23 matches, 25 goals and three assists. Just Robert Lewandowski things. The mercurial frontman simply doesn't know how to stop scoring. Barring the Spurs game, the Polish marksman has scored in every Champions League fixture, raking up 10 goals in just five matches.
These superhuman stats will make Frank Lampard rethink his plans when they host the Bavarians at Stamford Bridge in the midweek. Having defeated Tottenham in their last game, Chelsea will also be on a high but their awful defensive record will give them something to think about. Chelsea have kept only seven clean sheets all seasons. If they cannot add to that tally against Lewandowski, their Champions League journey might be over for the season and for all probabilities, Robert Lewandowski is going to be the villain.
Name: Richarlison
Team: Everton
Match: Everton vs Manchester United
Barcelona's love for the 22-year-old Brazilian forward is definitely not surprising. Richarlison has been a key figure in Everton setup since his joining but this season he has looked more lethal than ever. The Brazilian has been on song lately, having scored in four of his last five Premier League appearances.
He has averaged 2.6 shots per game, pretty outstanding for a player in a team which is 11th in the league. His partnership with Dominic Calvert-Lewin has flourished under Carlo Ancelotti and Everton are reaping the results. Against a Manchester United team struggling to find consistency, Richarlison would be one of the most important players for Everton.
