ISL Fantasy Matchweek 5 Deadline: 6:30 PM IST, October 24, 2023

Indian Super League (ISL) action continues in full flow as we head into Matchweek 5 after the league resumed with a short yet action-packed Matchweek 4 after the international break. 

The point to note for ISL Fantasy managers is that Matchweek 5 will also be a blank matchweek with Mohun Bagan Super Giant and East Bengal FC missing in action after the Kolkata derby was postponed. 

So managers will have to adjust their squads, but not to a large extent as the Mariners didn’t play in the previous matchweek either. The option of Wildcard or Free Hit remains open for managers heavily dependent on East Bengal FC players. 

Matchweek 4 summary

There were just four games in MW4 and only one player entered double figures. FC Goa midfielder Victor Rodriguez who scored the winner for the Gaurs scored ten points. 

Chennaiyin FC’s Ankit Mukherjee racked up nine points thanks to a clean sheet and an assist. Sandesh Jhingan who scored his first-ever goal in the ISL churned up eight points with two goalkeepers - Chennaiyin FC’s Debjit Majumder and Punjab FC’s Ravi Kumar scoring seven points each. 

FC Goa’s Noah Sadaoui who was a popular captain pick didn’t play due to an injury and will miss the next two games for the Gaurs. Brandon Fernandes is also a doubt for FC Goa. 

Matchweek 5: What to expect? 

Mumbai City FC’s home game against Hyderabad FC has a lot of potential for the Islanders’ players after the Yellow and Black’s struggles early on in the season. Des Buckingham’s side are very strong at home and always find a way to score goals. Their chances will be enhanced with Thagboi Singto’s side not being their most confident selves. 

Chennaiyin FC too showed plenty of promise against Hyderabad FC and their home game against Punjab FC could give them a chance to build on that success. The Shers are yet to win a game in the ISL this season. 

NorthEast United FC and Kerala Blasters FC have been the favourites for ISL Fantasy managers this season with points coming from all quarters. 

Fixtures 

Fixtures	Date
Bengaluru vs FC Goa	October 25, 2023
NorthEast United FC vs Jamshedpur FC	October 26, 2023
Kerala Blasters FC vs Odisha FC	October 27, 2023
Mumbai City FC vs Hyderabad FC	October 28, 2023
Chennaiyin FC vs Punjab FC	October 29, 2023

What the managers are thinking?

With Odisha FC returning to action in MW5, managers have been quick at bringing in Mourtada Fall who scored twice in their last ISL match against FC Goa. Fall is the leading goalscoring defender in the ISL and is a big goal threat on set-pieces. 

Jorge Pereyra Diaz continues to gain owners owing to a good fixture list and his consistency. Nestor Albiach’s goal for NorthEast United FC has helped his popularity among ISL Fantasy managers along with Danish Farooq and Victor Rodriguez who have benefitted from their goal returns in the last matchweek. 

Player	Position	Club	Transfers IN
Mourtada Fall	Defender	Odisha FC	205
Jorge Pereyra Diaz	Forward	Mumbai City FC	195
Nestor Albiach	Midfielder	NorthEast United FC	169
Danish Farooq	Midfielder	Kerala Blasters FC	146
Victor Rodriguez	Midfielder	FC Goa	140

(As of October 24, 6:30 PM IST)

Suspensions, injuries and blank matchweeks are dictating ISL fantasy managers’ approach when it comes to omitting players from the squad with suspended Prabir Das leading the exits. 

Player	Position	Club	Transfers OUT
Prabir Das	Defender	Kerala Blasters FC	178
Noah Sadaoui	Midfielder	FC Goa	158
Cleiton Silva	Forward	East Bengal FC	144
Milos Drincic	Defender	Kerala Blasters FC	88
Phalguni Singh	Defender	NorthEast United FC	81

(As of October 24, 6:30 PM IST)

Top Picks for MW5: 

Adrian Luna (Kerala Blasters FC): The Uruguayan has returned in every home fixture in the ISL so far and with Odisha FC struggling defensively, he is a very safe and reliable bet. He is the joint-top scorer in ISL Fantasy this season with 23 points.

Jorge Perreyra Diaz (Mumbai City FC): The Argentine striker is third in the total points list behind Luna and TP Rehenesh but has played a game fewer. He has scored four goals in three matches so far this season and will fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet again when Hyderabad FC visit the Mumbai Football Arena. 

Connor Shields (Chennaiyin FC): The Chennaiyin FC striker looked very good in their win over Hyderabad FC and was at the heart of every Chennaiyin FC move while also scoring the winning goal. Playing in front of their home fans, Shields will be keen to extend his goalscoring touch and hand Chennaiyin FC another victory. 

Top differential picks for MW5: 

Danish Farooq (Kerala Blasters FC): Farooq has scored in two straight games for Kerala Blasters FC and has been getting in dangerous positions this season. With an ownership percentage of just 5%, Danish can be a real difference maker for your team with the Blasters going up against leaky Odisha FC at home in MW5. 

Soraisham Dinesh Singh (NorthEast United FC): Dinesh Singh has been a regular starter for NorthEast United FC this season and faces a Jamshedpur FC side that haven’t scored from open play this season. Owned by just 1% of ISL Fantasy managers and with a price of just 3.5 Cr, he is a great budget differential option to have in your team. 

Captaincy Pick: Jorge Pereyra Diaz

It is difficult to look beyond Diaz considering the amount of chances Mumbai City FC create at home and his rich vein of form. He is so lethal inside the box and is the perfect striker for this Mumbai City FC side who like to dominate possession and pin the opponents deep in their box. 

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/