Another challenging week awaits the ISL Fantasy managers, with as many as three teams set to miss out on action in Matchweek 17 of the Indian Super League (ISL). Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, and Bengaluru FC will have a blank week, while East Bengal FC is set to play two matches this week.

Fantasy managers would again need to reshuffle their squads to remove players from the three teams that have a blank and play according to the fixtures.

Matchweek 16 summary

Greek forward Dimitrios Diamantakos inspired Kerala Blasters FC to stage a comeback for the ages against FC Goa. He notched two goals and provided assists for two other goals, accumulating 15 points in the match.

Mumbai City FC's Bipin Singh came on as a super sub against Chennaiyin FC, scoring two goals and racking up nine points for his fantasy owners. NorthEast United FC's Mirshad Michu, Bengaluru FC's Javi Hernandez, and Jeremy Manzorro of Jamshedpur FC each accumulated seven points, completing the top five scorers list from the week gone by.

Fasten your seatbelts, #ISL fans! Matchweek 1️⃣6️⃣ brought the heat, and Matchweek 1️⃣7️⃣ promises more fire! 🔥⚽ #ISL10 #LetsFootball #ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 | @Sports18 @eastbengal_fc @RGPunjabFC @HydFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/RWyihdNem8

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 25, 2024

The double matchweek didn't go as planned for FC Goa and many fantasy managers, as the Gaurs suffered defeats in both matches; with Mohammad Yasir (7) and Rowllin Borges (7) racking up the highest points from the FC Goa side.

Matchweek 17 of the ISL is set to feature only five matches. Kerala Blasters FC, NorthEast United FC, and Bengaluru FC miss out on action this week, so fantasy managers will need to strategically deal with the players currently in their squad.

Matchweek 17: What to expect?

East Bengal FC are set to play against Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC this week, which could prove decisive for the Kolkata club to stay in contention for the playoff race. Punjab FC are all set to return to action after missing out on the previous week, and the Shers will take on Hyderabad FC. Mumbai City FC will play against FC Goa, while Mohun Bagan SG will host Jamshedpur FC in the other two matches in MW 17.

What are managers thinking? 

Player	Position	Club	Transferred IN
Jeremy Manzorro	Midfielder	Jamshedpur FC	289
Cleiton Silva	Forward	East Bengal FC	273
Madih Talal	Midfielder	Punjab FC	223
Amrinder Singh	Goalkeeper	Odisha FC	157
Roy Krishna	Forward	Odisha FC	155

(As of Monday, 26 February, 1:00 PM IST)

Player	Position	Club	Transferred OUT
Sachin Suresh	Goalkeeper	Kerala Blasters FC	370
Dimitrios Diamantakos	Forward	Kerala Blasters FC	213
Ahmed Jahouh	Midfielder	Odisha FC	209
Javi Hernandez	Midfielder	Bengaluru FC	136
Noah Sadaoui	Midfielder	FC Goa	109

(As of Monday, 26 February, 1:00 PM IST)

Top Picks for Matchweek 17

Cleiton Silva (East Bengal FC): East Bengal FC forward Cleiton Silva stands third in the goalscoring chart with seven goals, and the Brazilian would be the first pick for fantasy managers this week, with the Kolkata club set to play Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC this week.

Roy Krishna (Odisha FC): With 11 goals, Roy Krishna leads the top scorers list and has been in tremendous form over the last month. The league leaders will be keen to get back to winning ways after playing out a 0-0 draw with Mohun Bagan SG in MW 16. The Fijian striker will once again be on the forefront when they host East Bengal FC on February 29.

Madih Talal (Punjab FC): Punjab FC suffered a tough 4-0 defeat to Jamshedpur FC in the previous match, and they aim to bounce back against Hyderabad FC in MW 17. The French playmaker has been given a new role in which he has succeeded very well. Talal now plays centrally in a more advanced role where he can provide more attacking returns for fantasy managers. He has created the most chances (35) in the league so far.

Top differential picks for Matchweek 17: 

Luka Majcen (Punjab FC): Despite missing out on the scoresheet against Jamshedpur FC in the last match, Majcen had scored goals in each of their previous two matches against Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters FC. The Slovenian would be keen to regain his scoring form when they play against the bottom-placed Hyderabad FC this week. Majcen is currently owned by only 2% of fantasy managers.

Naorem Mahesh Singh (East Bengal FC): The Indian international is currently owned by 8% of fantasy owners, and he will be desperate to bail his team out in the upcoming matches of MW 17. Singh missed out on being on the scoresheet by some distance against Jamshedpur FC and aims to put an end to his goalscoring drought this week.

#MaheshNaorem's mastery at its peak! 🌟

Watch #EBFCCFC LIVE only on @JioCinema, @Sports18, @Vh1India, #SuryaMovies, & #DDBangla! 📺#ISL #ISL10 #LetsFootball #ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 #EastBengalFC | @eastbengal_fc pic.twitter.com/ms1T70lBry

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) February 26, 2024

Iker Guarrotxena (Mumbai City FC): FC Goa have surprisingly conceded six goals in their last two matches and hasn’t kept a clean sheet in their last four matches. Iker Guarrotxena, owned by just 1% of fantasy owners, sees this as an opportunity to exploit that defence when they host the Gaurs on February 28.

Captaincy Choice: Cleiton Silva (East Bengal FC)

There could be debates on the captaincy pick this week; however, with Cleiton Silva featuring twice this week, he has a slight edge over the others. East Bengal FC stands at a crucial juncture in the playoff race, and the two upcoming matches could be decisive for them. They would look to none other than the Brazilian forward to inspire them to victories.

Create your own ISL Fantasy team as well if you haven’t already

To mark its 10th season, ISL introduced ‘ISL Fantasy,’ a classic fantasy format game. Fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. They can create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation®️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: https://fantasy.indiansuperleague.com/