ISL Fantasy MW22 Deadline: Wednesday, April 10, 6:00 PM IST

Matchweek 22 signifies the culmination of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stage. It's a nail-biting finish with both the League Shield and Playoff race hanging in the balance.

Mumbai City FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant are locked in a battle for the League Shield, while Chennaiyin FC and East Bengal FC are still in contention for the final playoff spot.

FC Goa and Odisha FC have a significant role to play in the final week as they aim for victories to keep their chances of finishing in the second spot alive and earn a direct qualification to the semi-finals.

With the exception of Jamshedpur FC, who have already completed all their matches, there will be action in Matchweek 22 with six matches scheduled across the next six days to determine the League Shield winner.

Notably, Mohun Bagan SG are the only team set to play twice this week, facing Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC.

Matchweek 21 summary

Managers were handsomely rewarded in Matchweek 21, with those who opted for a triple captain on Noah Sadaoui or played the bench boost seeing the maximum gain. Players with double matches amassed high points, with the Moroccan forward delivering the maximum of 26 points, the highest by any player in a single week this season.

Rei Tachikawa found the net in both games, garnering 14 points, closely followed by Carlos Martinez and Hamza Regragui, who both accumulated 12 points. The Highlanders duo Michel Zabaco and Jithin MS, along with the FC Goa duo Mohammad Yasir and Brandon Fernandes, also reached the double-digit mark in MW 21 by securing 11 points each.

Matchweek 22: What to expect?

In Matchweek 22, fantasy managers have one last chance to capitalize on their chips such as the Free Hit, Bench Boost, and Triple Captain, if they still have any left. Strategically utilizing these chips can lead to significant point gains at this crucial stage.

It's advisable for managers to load their teams with players from Mohun Bagan SG, as they are the only team playing twice this week. Managers could also consider selecting players from teams playing with a clear purpose in the final week and avoid those from teams likely to rotate their side.

Managers should also avoid taking hits to their squad and instead opt for options that best suit their team at this stage.

What are managers thinking?

Player Position Club Transferred IN
Dimitri Petratos Forward Mohun Bagan Super Giant 152
Noah Sadaoui Midfielder FC Goa 106
Madih Talal Midfielder Punjab FC 93
Saul Crespo Midfielder East Bengal FC 89
Vishal Kaith Goalkeeper Mohun Bagan Super Giant 78

(As of Wednesday, April 10, 12:00 AM IST)

Player Position Club Transferred OUT
Jeremy Manzorro Midfielder Jamshedpur FC 147
Dimitrios Diamantakos Forward Kerala Blasters FC 146
Ahmed Jahouh Midfielder Odisha FC 83
Roy Krishna Forward Odisha FC 82
Javi Hernandez Midfielder Bengaluru FC 75

(As of Wednesday, April 10, 12:00 AM IST)

Top picks for Matchweek 22

Dimitri Petratos

Mohun Bagan Super Giant are the only team to play twice in the final week of the league stage. They are poised to unleash all their firepower to secure victories in their final two matches and lift the League Shield. Among the forwards, Dimitri Petratos is the most nailed with minutes and has been in top form recently, scoring four goals in five matches.

He is currently the Mariners' leading goalscorer in the ISL with 22 goals, and he would be keen to add more to his tally in Matchweek 22.

Noah Sadaoui

Sadaoui bagged a brilliant hat-trick against Hyderabad FC and also scored one and assisted another in their win over NorthEast United FC, accumulating a total of 26 points in Matchweek 21. This also makes him the highest point-scorer in a single week this season.

The Moroccan forward is currently the highest-owned player with a selection percentage of 21% and became the first player to register 100 points this season. He will look to add more to his tally when they face Chennaiyin FC in the final game, where a win could keep their hopes alive for a second-place finish.

Jason Cummings

Managers can easily opt to load up on Mohun Bagan SG attackers this week. Despite a slow start to the campaign, Cummings has upped his tempo as the season has progressed.

The Australian has been clinical inside the box, scoring nine goals this season in 20 matches and could play a significant role in their upcoming matches against Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC.

Lallianzuala Chhangte

Chhangte scored the winning goal against Odisha FC and also assisted in the other. The Indian international has peaked at the right time and has scored four goals and made two assists in his last five matches.

With an ownership of 10%, Chhangte still holds great value as a differential and would be the prime man of the Mumbai City FC attacking force when they face Mohun Bagan SG in their final league game.

Top differential picks for Matchweek 22

Armando Sadiku

All three of the Mohun Bagan Super Giant forwards have shared a fair margin of attacking returns this season. Sadiku has seen his minutes being shared with Cummings but has rewarded his owners handsomely this season.

The Albanian, with an ownership of just 2%, presents a great opportunity for managers looking for a differential from the MBSG team.

Jordan Murray

FC Goa's defence hasn’t been the same since Sandesh Jhingan has been sidelined due to injury, and the Gaurs have managed to keep just three clean sheets out of the 11 matches they have played in the second half of the season, compared to six clean sheets in their opening 10 matches. Moreover, Nim Dorjee is suspended for the final game against Chennaiyin FC, who are on the verge of making the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

Murray, with an ownership of 3%, would definitely be keen to seize this opportunity and get his name on the scoresheet. He could make a big difference for managers who are looking to outclass their friends in the final Matchweek of the group stage.

Captaincy Choice: Dimitri Petratos (Mohun Bagan Super Giant)

There should not be debates regarding the captaincy choice this week, particularly with Mohun Bagan Super Giant being the only team playing twice. Among their forwards, Petratos is the most reliable for minutes and will be our selection for captaincy this week.

The Aussie has delivered an attacking return in each of his last five games. Nonetheless, managers can explore other options if they seek a differential captain to propel their standings in private leagues, especially considering this marks the final matchweek of the league stage.

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/