ISL Fantasy MW20 Early Deadline: Thursday, April 4, 6:00 PM IST

Matchweek 21 marks a crucial stage in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, with several teams vying for important positions. With just one Matchweek remaining after this, the competition is intense. Four teams are in contention for the League Shield, while five are battling for a single playoff spot.

From an ISL Fantasy perspective, Matchweek 21 offers an excellent opportunity for managers to boost their points tally as four teams play twice. FC Goa and NorthEast United FC will both be playing after missing out on the previous Matchweek. A total of eight games will take place. Additionally, four teams - Chennaiyin FC, Jamshedpur FC, FC Goa, and NorthEast United FC - will have the chance to play two fixtures each, presenting a favourable scenario for teams aiming to secure significant points.

Matchweek 20 summary 

Managers who had Odisha FC players in their fantasy teams had a fruitful Matchweek, with five of their players - Jerry Lalrinzuala, Mourtada Fall, Diego Mauricio, Amey Ranawade, and Isak Ralte - all scoring double-digit points. However, East Bengal FC’s Saul Crespo and Mumbai City FC’s Mehtab Singh stood out as the top scorers for the Matchweek, accumulating an impressive 12 points each.

In addition to the mentioned players, Mahesh Naorem also had a notable performance, earning double-digit points by securing 10 points through his brace against Kerala Blasters FC.

Matchweek 21: What to expect?

Matchweek 21 presents a prime opportunity for fantasy managers to capitalize on their chips such as the Free Hit, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain. Utilising these chips strategically can lead to significant point gains.

Given the tight competition for the League Shield and the sole remaining playoff spot, it's advisable for managers to exercise caution when taking hits to their squads. Instead, they should prioritise bringing in players from teams playing twice, particularly those who could serve as strong captaincy options. This approach allows managers to maximise their potential points without overly disrupting their squads.

What are managers thinking? 

Player Position Club  Transferred IN
Jeremy Manzorro Midfielder Jamshedpur FC 104
Rafael Crivellaro Midfielder  Chennaiyin FC 97
Odei Onaindia Defender FC Goa  92
Noah Sadaoui Midfielder  FC Goa 92
Madih Talal Midfielder  Punjab FC 79

(As of Thursday, April 4, 12:00 AM IST)

Player Position  Club   Transferred OUT
Roy Krishna Forward Odisha FC 92
Sahal Abdul Samad Midfielder   Mohun Bagan SG 76
Milos Drincic Defender  Kerala Blasters FC 59
Apuia Midfielder   Mumbai City FC 58
Sachin Suresh  Goalkeeper Kerala Blasters FC  49

(As of Thursday, April 4, 12:00 AM IST)

Top picks for Matchweek 21 

Noah Sadaoui

Sadaoui has emerged as one of FC Goa's standout performers this season, sharing the title of joint-top scorer alongside Carlos Martinez, with six goals apiece. In Matchweek 19, he delivered an impressive performance, accumulating 12 points, much to the delight of fantasy managers who had entrusted him with the captaincy armband. Notably, this marked his third attacking return in the past four Matchweeks, showcasing his consistent form.

As FC Goa remains in contention for the League Shield, Sadaoui will undoubtedly aim to maintain his impressive form and contribute significantly to his team's aspirations. With just three games left in the season, his contributions could prove vital in their pursuit of silverware.

Jeremy Manzorro

Manzorro has undoubtedly emerged as a talismanic figure for Jamshedpur FC throughout this season, consistently making decisive contributions in crucial matches and playing a pivotal role in helping his team secure valuable points. As one of the key midfielders, he has notched up an impressive tally of five goals so far, making him the second-highest scorer for the team, just behind Daniel Chima Chukwu.

With Jamshedpur FC set to take on Chennaiyin FC followed by a home fixture against FC Goa in Matchweek 20, Manzorro could play a crucial role as his team strives to secure a spot in the playoffs. He has shown his ability to score from free-kicks this season and is also on penalties, making him an astute choice for managers.

Jay Gupta

The young defender has captured the attention of fantasy managers with an impressive ownership rate of 34 percent, making him the most popular defenders in the game. Despite being in his debut season, he has quickly established himself as a valuable asset, particularly considering his modest price tag of Rs 3.5 crore. Throughout the season, he has consistently rewarded his owners with solid performances.

Gupta's impressive displays have made him the second-highest scoring defender in ISL Fantasy, trailing only behind Odisha FC's Ranawade. This highlights his reliability and consistency, making him a popular choice among fantasy managers. Additionally, Gupta's ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him an intriguing option for the captaincy role, offering managers a bold alternative if they're willing to take a calculated risk on him.

Top differential picks for Matchweek 21

Tomi Juric

The NorthEast United FC’s new signing showcased promising form before succumbing to an injury in Matchweek 16. However, there are encouraging signs as he has been spotted training with the team, suggesting that he may have recovered after nearly a month's absence.

Despite featuring in only four Matchweeks for the Highlanders this season, Juric has made a significant impact, delivering returns in three of those appearances. His potential return to form presents an exciting prospect for fantasy managers, particularly considering his explosive performances prior to his injury. If he can replicate his earlier form, the Australian forward has the potential to be a valuable asset for his owners. 

Rafael Crivellaro

The Brazilian standout commands a significant presence in ISL Fantasy, boasting an impressive ownership rate of 35 percent and holding the distinction of being the highest-owned player in the Chennaiyin FC roster. With an impressive tally of 80 points accumulated thus far, he secures a spot in the top 10 list of highest-scoring players in ISL Fantasy this season.

With Chennaiyin FC scheduled to play two home games in the forthcoming Matchweek, Crivellaro stands poised to further bolster his points tally. Additionally, his role as the designated penalty taker for Owen Coyle's side adds to his appeal, solidifying his status as a dependable pick for fantasy managers seeking consistent returns.

Carlos Martinez 

In addition to Sadaoui, Martinez has been a key player for FC Goa this season, making significant contributions to the team's attack. As FC Goa prepare to face off against Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC in the upcoming matches, Martinez has a good opportunity to further bolster his goal-scoring tally.

With his proficiency in front of goal and the importance of these fixtures, Martinez could play a crucial role in FC Goa's quest for the League Shield.

Captaincy Choice: Noah Sadaoui (FC Goa)

Crivellaro, Manzorro, and Juric certainly present enticing captaincy options for the upcoming Matchweek, but our preference has leaned towards Sadaoui. Despite experiencing fluctuations in form throughout the season, the Moroccan forward remains one of the primary threats in FC Goa's lineup.

With FC Goa slated to take on Hyderabad FC and Jamshedpur FC - both of which have struggled to maintain clean sheets recently - Sadaoui finds himself in a favourable position to add to his goal scoring tally. Additionally, being classified as a midfielder provides him with the opportunity to earn extra points for each goal scored and clean sheet kept, further enhancing his appeal as a captaincy candidate.

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/

 

Related tags:

Chennaiyin FCFC GoaJamshedpur FCNorthEast United FC2023-2024 Noah Sadaoui