The ISL fantasy league is back after an eight-month hiatus with the ISL 2020-21 season set to begin from November 20, Friday. Kerala Blasters will take on defending champions ATK Mohun Bagan at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa, in the season-opener.
No matter how experienced you are with the ISL fantasy league, you will need suggestions in cherry-picking the most productive playing eleven to kickstart the tournament. Here are five players who could potentially fetch you the maximum points in the opening matchweek:
Player: Gary Hooper, Kerala Blasters FC
Match: Kerala Blasters FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan FC
Gary Hooper has arrived at the back of eight goals and five assists to his name in 21 A-League matches after Kerala Blasters FC broke the bank to sign the perfect replacement for ISL 2019 star Bartholomew Ogbeche. Hooper, a journeyman footballer, has enjoyed prolific stints with Scunthorpe United and Scottish giants Celtic apart from his prominent outings with Premier League side Norwich City. Replacing Ogbeche was never going to be easy but the Manjappada have already forgotten him after the arrival of Gary Hooper. The English professional is a must-have in your ISL fantasy league team.
Player: Roy Krishna, ATK Mohun Bagan FC
Match: Kerala Blasters FC vs ATK Mohun Bagan FC
Speaking of the Blasters' opponent in the ISL 2020-21 season-opener, defending champions ATK Mohun Bagan FC will yet again pin their goal-scoring burden on last season's ISL top scorer Roy Krishna. The 33-year-old Fijian striker had netted 15 times and provided six assists last season, thereby helping his side to lift their third ISL title - the most by any club. Roy Krishna has been reliable in front of goal throughout his career and is expected to bag a bunch of goals this season as well.
Player: Bartholomew Ogbeche, Mumbai City FC
Match: NorthEast United FC vs Mumbai City FC
A new era begins for Mumbai City FC on Saturday and their revamp has largely been based on the big imports at the City Football Group-funded club. One of the biggest ISL transfers this summer was Bartholomew Ogbeche as he traded his Kerala Blasters shirt for Mumbai City FC after just one season. With 27 goals and three assists already to his name in just 34 ISL appearances, the Nigerian striker is only expected to get better. And with Spanish coach Sergio Lobera now leading Mumbai City FC after three successful years at FC Goa, where he built quite a reputation for his attractive football, Ogbeche is among the early favourites to win the ISL Golden Boot this season.
Player: Mandar Rao Dessai, Mumbai City FC
Match: NorthEast United FC vs Mumbai City FC
One of the many players that followed Sergio Lobera from FC Goa to Mumbai City was left-back Mandar Rao Dessai. The full-back played exactly 100 games for his former side before leaving the Gaurs with four assists to his name last season. Widely regarded as one of the best fullbacks going forward, the experienced and prolific Dessai should definitely be in your dream team for both defensive reassurances and offensive stability.
Player: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Bengaluru FC
Match: FC Goa vs Bengaluru FC
For the goalkeeper's spot, there can only be one safe option for every fantasy team owner – Bengaluru's Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. The Indian No.1 one has never finished below the third position in the race for the ISL Golden Glove and is currently the winner of the award after keeping 11 clean sheets in 19 matches last season. An unparalleled shot-stopper, Sandhu is commanding in the box and brilliant at distributing the ball as well. A must-have in any ISL fantasy league team.
Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @GurpreetGK
