Wasting no time to score the first goal is one of the thumb rules in football, as it indicates who gains authority early on in a fixture. In a competitive competition like the Indian Super League, scoring the fastest goal is one of the most difficult feats to achieve.

The ISL, India’s premier football tournament, has seen not just homegrown players but also overseas talent showcase their passion and hunger for goals, and in turn, keep rewriting records to continue the healthy competition amongst players.

There have been some lightning-fast goals across the eight editions of the ISL, and we take a look at those players who have had the honour of scoring the fastest goal in the Indian Super League.

David Williams - 12 seconds

ATK Mohun Bagan forward David Williams holds the record for scoring the fastest goal in the Indian Super League, after his 12-second strike against Hyderabad FC in ISL 2021-22. 

After kick-off, all it took was seven one-touch passes for ATKMB to take a surprise lead - and more so - important for Williams who scored on his first start for the club in the eighth edition of the Indian Super League.

The Australian forward received a backheel pass from Hugo Boumous and took an extra touch before firing the ball past Hyderabad goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani from outside the box.

ATK Mohun Bagan eventually went on to draw 2-2 against Hyderabad FC.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga - 23 seconds

Jerry Mawihmingthanga, who previously held the record, will fondly remember his 23-second strike against Kerala Blasters in the 2017-18 ISL campaign as it was his maiden ISL goal.

The fleet-footed attacker took advantage of team-mate Ashim Biswas�?miscued attempt on goal and rounded up Kerala goalkeeper Paul Rachubka to slot it inside an empty net. Jerry returned the favour as he assisted Biswas in netting JFC’s second goal in the 31st minute.

At the final whistle, Jamshedpur FC walked away with a 2-1 win in front of the fans at the JRD Tata Sports Complex.

Cleiton Silva - 25 seconds

Third on the list is Brazilian forward Cleiton Silva, who plies his trade with Bengaluru FC.

While Bengaluru’s 2020-21 season was one of their most forgettable campaigns in history, their performance against eventual champions Mumbai City stood out as one of the rare positives.

Just 18 seconds into the tie, skipper Sunil Chhetri played a through-ball to winger Udanta Singh who crossed it towards Silva. The Brazilian, who sprinted on from the left flank to the centre of the box, calmly slotted the ball past Amrinder Singh to give BFC the lead. Upon checking, Cleiton Silva found himself on the score sheet with a goal just 25 seconds into match 95 of ISL 2020-21.

Bengaluru, with braces from Silva and Chhetri, ran out 4-2 winners against Mumbai.

Chris Dagnall - 29 seconds

English forward Chris Dagnall etched his name in the records for scoring the then fastest goal in the Indian Super League in 2015.

During his run, the former Barnsley striker exchanged passes with Spanish winger Josu, who then passed to Antoine German on the left flank. The Blasters took the lead just 29 seconds into the game against NorthEast United FC when Dagnall met German's cross in the box.

The Englishman added a 76th-minute strike to his opening goal as Kerala returned with a 4-1 win away from home.

Mohammed Rafi - 48 seconds

While Chris Dagnall features on the list of players who scored the fastest goal in the Indian Super League, the Englishman is credited for having Mohammed Rafi earn a place in the record books.

The seasoned Indian striker met an inch-perfect cross from the right flank by Dagnall, who spotted Rafi unmarked inside the penalty box. As the timer reached 48 seconds, Mohammed Rafi made a giant leap and headed the cross fiercely past FC Pune City goalkeeper Steve Simonsen.

While Rafi scored a brace in the contest, it was not enough for Kerala Blasters as they went down 2-3 to the Stallions.

Author: William Paul

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Featured photo: ISL Media 

Since the inception of the Indian Super League (ISL) in 2014 as an eight-team competition, India’s premier football tournament has seen as many as 14 ISL teams featuring in it.

While some are defunct today, others are still struggling to climb the table, and then there are a few who have won the championship multiple times.

The latest ISL features 11 teams, but that will soon change with I-League winners allowed to gain promotion to the top-tier league in 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, ISL will also include a relegation system from the 2024-25 season.

Before the next few seasons see more changes, here are all the ISL clubs that have featured in the premier Indian football league in the seven seasons so far.

ATK FC (formerly Atletico de Kolkata)

Formerly known as Atletico de Kolkata, ATK FC was the first ISL team to be announced as a participant in the Indian Super League. With current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly as co-owner, the Kolkata-based club is the most successful ISL team with three titles to their name in just six seasons.

ATK had reached the ISL playoffs stage in all but two editions (2017 and 2018) and their biggest success have come under the tutelage of two-time winning coach Antonio López Habas, across two separate stints.

Antonio Lopez Habas is the first head coach to win the #HeroISL twice and the only one to do it with the same club!

Legend #HeroISLFinal #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/GUk46cxFn5

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 16, 2020

After a successful stint with ATK from 2014 to 2016, Habas returned in the 2019-20 season to bring back the offensive style of play that the club was known for and the Kolkata side went on to have their best campaign.

Winning 10 of their 18 league games, ATK FC tallied 34 points to finish second in the league stages before winning the title for the third time and becoming the most successful ISL club ever.

Following the 2019-20 season, ATK FC merged with I-League side Mohun Bagan to be rechristened as ATK Mohun Bagan.

Chennaiyin FC

Two-time ISL champions Chennaiyin FC’s journey has been a rollercoaster ride so far.

The Marina Machans, who have had four managers oversee their progress in the Indian Super League so far, became the first ISL team to reach the group stages of the AFC Cup in 2019.

Chennaiyin’s greatest campaign was the 2019-20 season, where they turned around their horrible start (one win from the first six games), to finishing fourth in the league stages (seven wins in the next 12 games). Bringing in manager Owen Coyle mid-season did the trick, as his counter-attacking philosophy saw Chennaiyin FC win seven of their next 12 games to reach the ISL 2019-20 final to face ATK. 

Chennaiyin FC (CFC) are one of the few ISL teams who boast of a huge fan following today.

Bengaluru FC

After the Indian Super League received a nod from the Asian Football Confederation to expand its eight-team participation in 2017, Bengaluru FC made the transition from I-League to the ISL.

With former FC Barcelona assistant coach Albert Roca overseeing the maiden campaign, Bengaluru FC won 14 of their 21 league matches to finish as runners-up to Chennaiyin in the 2017-18 season. 

However, their promising debut ISL season saw a heart-breaking end as Chennaiyin defeated Bengaluru FC in their backyard to lift the 2017-18 ISL title. 

A historic run comes to an end

The longest #HeroISL unbeaten streak ever came to an end as @bengalurufc went a staggering 1�?�?matches without a loss! #LetsFootball #FanBannaPadega pic.twitter.com/UqmKmNyEJU

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 30, 2019

Their impressive start was followed by a change in personnel as a new perspective was brought in by Carles Cuadrat, who orchestrated a record-breaking 2018-19 campaign.

Sunil Chhetri and Co. went on a league-record 11-match unbeaten run while winning six matches in a row. They also became the first team to win the ISL title after finishing top in the league phase.

Though a large exodus of players saw BFC’s run end in the playoff stages in the 2019-20 season, they kept a record 11 clean sheets.

FC Goa

FC Goa have arguably been the most prolific scorers in the Indian Super League and their style of play, first brought about during Brazilian legend Zico’s two-year stint as the club’s head coach, continues to be a delightful sight for the fans even today.

FC Goa’s ISL journey began on a monotonous note though, as they could score only 12 goals in their maiden season despite finishing second in the points table. They improved massively in the following campaign, by registering the most goals (29) in the league stages.

FULL TIME! @FCGoaOfficial have breezed to 7-0 victory against @MumbaiCityFC. #GOAvMUM #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/2H2TqDSwZ5

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 17, 2015

The 2015 ISL season also saw FC Goa recording the highest number of goals scored in a single ISL fixture as they beat Mumbai City FC 7�? at home. However, their impressive season was marred by a 2-3 loss in the final to Chennaiyin FC.

Though FC Goa (FCG) are yet to win an ISL title, they have featured in two semi-finals and one final match since their remarkable 2015 season. 

With Sergio Lobera starting a new era at the Fatorda Stadium in 2017, the Gaurs have gone from strength to strength. It was most evident in the 2019-20 campaign, where they scored a whopping 51 goals, which stands as a record.

Mumbai City FC

Before their high-profile partnership with the City Football Group (CFG), Mumbai City FC had created headlines with the marquee signings of Nicholas Anelka and Freddie Ljungberg. But even the presence of such stalwarts couldn’t prevent the Islanders from finishing second from bottom in the inaugural campaign.

 

Mumbai City FC (MCFC) endured a fair share of highs and lows between 2016 to 2018, from reaching their first-ever playoffs to scripting a seventh-place finish once again. The 2018 season saw Mumbai City FC reach their second ISL playoff at the back of striker Modou Sougou’s impressive performances - 12 goals which included a four-goal exhibition in a fixture against Kerala Blasters.

After a promising 2018-19 campaign, last season saw Mumbai City miss out on a playoffs berth owing to frequent injuries and their inability to stitch up a formidable defence setup. While they became the first team to beat Bengaluru FC, Jorge Costa’s men conceded 29 goals in the league stage to finish fifth. 

Kerala Blasters FC

Kerala Blasters FC, like their archrivals Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC, are one of the most supported ISL teams in Asia. However, the Tuskers have also been one of the most fragile ISL teams over the years, with respect to their performances in the league stages. 

Kerala Blasters also boast an infamous record of having brought in the most number of managers - with current boss Kibu Vicuna the 10th different coach - since the team’s debut in 2014.

The Sachin Tendulkar-owned side has failed to qualify for the playoffs in four ISL editions, with their best-ever campaign being in 2016, where Kerala Blasters won six of their 14 games before losing in the final to ATK FC.

Delhi Dynamos FC

Delhi Dynamos FC’s five-year presence in the Indian Super League was a lukewarm success, with the capital team finishing within the top four only in their second and third seasons.

 

The signatures of Juventus hero Alessandro del Piero as a marquee player in 2014 and legendary Brazil defender Roberto Carlos as head coach for the 2015 -16 season was supposed to be a catalyst in Delhi Dynamos�?rise as a powerhouse in the ISL. 

However, it attracted very little footfall and inconsistent performances in DDFC’s final years of existence led to the eventual collapse of the ISL team.

FC Pune City

FC Pune City were plagued with controversies over the course of their stay in the Indian Super League, from endorsements to struggling with salary payments and an illegal transfer move.

The Stallions had brought in Juventus legend David Trezeguet on board as their marquee player for the inaugural season, but the move didn’t pay off well, as the former France striker could score just twice in nine games.

In the next four years, FC Pune City managed to secure a playoff-qualification place just once. The 2017-18 edition, where the ISL team lost out to Bengaluru in the semi-final, saw Serbian coach Ranko Popović inspire the club to nine wins and score 30 goals in the group stage.

NorthEast United FC

NorthEast United FC are the last of the original eight ISL teams that started in 2014 and are still running. The Highlanders have struggled with their ability to score and also lacked the experience of homegrown players in abundance over on their roster.

Like Kerala, NEUFC have had a string of managers sit on the hot seat with Spaniard Gerard Gus being the current gaffer to oversee operations. As far as their performances are concerned, NorthEast United have finished in the bottom two in three out of the six seasons, ending with the wooden spoon twice. 

 

Primarily a mid-table team, NEUFC have finished fifth two times, which was the closest they could come to making it the playoffs until Eelco Schattorie upped their game in the 2018-19 season. 

The Dutch tactician provided NorthEast United with their best ISL season ever as the club made the semi-finals for the first and only time in their six seasons in ISL. However, their run was ended by the eventual 2018-19 ISL champions Bengaluru FC.

Jamshedpur FC

In 2017, Jamshedpur FC became the second ISL team to feature as a new entry in the competition, besides Bengaluru FC.

The Men of Steel or Red Miners, since their debut, have showcased a balance of Indian and overseas players, and have registered successive fifth-place finishes in their first two campaigns. The 2019-20 season, however, saw the ISL team drop a few levels and finish eighth.

Regardless of their lack of success in the tournament so far, JFC have provided the perfect platform for young Indian players to step up. Over the past three seasons, talents like Michael Soosairaj, Aniket Jadhav, Farukh Choudhary and others have come up from the Jamshedpur FC academy.

Odisha FC

Odisha FC, rebranded from the now-defunct Delhi Dynamos, were one of the two new ISL teams to make their foray into the showpiece league in the 2018-19 season.

Under Josep Gombau, the Juggernauts finished their maiden Indian Super League campaign in sixth place. Interestingly, Odisha FC’s first victory in the competition, a 4-2 away win over Mumbai City FC, is their biggest win in terms of margin.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you @OdishaFC. Thank you India. Until next time. pic.twitter.com/4Zjse8Xxj0

�?Josep Gombau (@GombauJosep) March 18, 2020

Former striker Aridane Santana is the club’s leading scorer with nine goals while his Spanish compatriot Manuel Onwu has hit the only hat-trick for Odisha FC in the Indian Super League. OFC are currently managed by British coach Stuart Baxter

Hyderabad FC

The Nizams came into being after FC Pune City were disbanded and Hyderabad FC signed almost every player from the former ISL team ahead of their maiden campaign in the 2019-20 season.

Hyderabad FC’s debut season, however, began on a disastrous note as they slumped to a 5-0 defeat to ATK FC. HFC’s first victory had come against Kerala Blasters, whom they beat 2-1 at home with Marko Stankovic and Marcelinho getting their names on the scorecard. However, that didn’t stop HFC from finishing in the rock-bottom in the season with two wins and 12 losses.

ATK Mohun Bagan FC

After 13 seasons in the I-League, Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan decided to merge its operations with three-time ISL champions ATK to form a new ISL team called ATK Mohun Bagan.

The new franchise, who kept hold of Antonio López Habas as their head coach and star forwards Roy Krishna and David Williams among many players from the now-dissolved ATK, has made an ambitious start to the 2020-21 season.

Brace yourselves for our goal machine as @RoyKrishna21 dons the Maroon and Green.#ATKMohunBagan#IndianSuperLeague pic.twitter.com/MwlLcQryiw

�?ATK Mohun Bagan FC (@atkmohunbaganfc) July 19, 2020

SC East Bengal

Like Mohun Bagan, their archrivals East Bengal opted for a fresh scenery as well and climbed up to the Indian Super League for the 2020-21 edition. 

One of the most decorated clubs in Indian football, the Red and Gold Brigade appointed Premier League’s Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler as their first-ever head coach but have since scripted a sorry start to the ISL 2020-21 season.

As seasons pass in the Indian Super League, the Kolkata Derby between ATK Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal is expected to take up a major status in the competition.

Feature image courtesy: PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP

Over 1,300 goals have been scored in more than 500 matches across the seven editions of the Indian Super League (ISL) so far.

From historic derby-day openers to match-winning net-busters, India’s premier football competition has witnessed some stunning goals over the years. Here are five of such memorable ISL goals.

First-ever ISL goal

Atletico de Kolkata’s Fikru Teferra Lemessa scored the first-ever ISL goal against Mumbai City FC in the inaugural match of the Indian Super League on October 12, 2014. The Ethiopian striker had taken just 27 minutes to write his name in the record books as he became the first-ever goal scorer in the history of the league. 

While Fikru had scored the goal with a cheeky chip over Mumbai goalkeeper Subrata Paul to help the hosts secure a 3-0 win, it was his outrageous celebration after the goal had left the fans overawed. The Atletico de Kolkata striker had performed a well-executed backflip in front of a fully-packed Salt Lake Stadium to send the crowd into a frenzy. India’s premier football competition has never looked back since.

Sushanth Mathew’s stunner vs Chennaiyin FC

Kerala Blasters FC’s Sushant Mathew became an overnight sensation when he scored a stunning long ranger in front of his home fans to put the Tuskers 3-0 up against Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the 2014 ISL semi-finals. With the hosts already leading 2-0, Sushant Mathew exchanged passes with Canadian Iain Hume, moved towards the opposition’s half, cut inside two defenders, and unleashed a 40-yard drive into the top corner. That goal had propelled Kerala Blasters into the final and it is still considered as one of the best goals ever scored in the ISL.

.@SushanthMattheW captured our imagination with a strike that left us in awe. 56 days to go for the #HeroISL!http://t.co/wlaKZ1ElEx

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) August 8, 2015

ATK's David Williams scores 1,000th goal of ISL

Australian striker David Williams etched his name in the history books of the league by scoring the 1000th ISL goal in the 2019-20 season. While Williams�?milestone goal was a simple one against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, it was perhaps destiny that the 1,000th goal was scored by an ATK player. 

The tournament’s first-ever goal was also scored by the player of the same club in 2014 and quite interestingly, under the same head coach - Antonio Lopez Habas.

The 1,000-goal milestone was reached in the 384th match with a total of 285 different players contributing to the tally. From Fikru to Williams, 196 overseas players contributed with 702 of these, while 89 Indian players accounted for the remaining 278 goals.

| Watch, rewatch, and watch again, the moment when @willo_15 scored the 1000th #HeroISL goal! #CHEKOL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/fDim9AXerZ

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 30, 2019

Rafael Crivellaro’s wonder goal against NorthEast United

Chennaiyin FC’s midfield maestro Rafael Crivellaro had scored a 50-yard wonder goal against NorthEast United FC, which was arguably the best goal in ISL season 6. 

After he had received the ball near the halfway line, the Brazilian struck a stunning left-footed strike from almost halfway line, which flew past opposition’s custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury into the back of the net. The fans in the stadium were in utter disbelief after Crivellaro’s wonder strike. 

"It was a fantastic goal. I think it might be the best goal of my career," Crivellaro said later.

A screamer, back-to-back wins and all three points.

'Hero of the Match' Rafael Crivellaro had a fantastic night for @ChennaiyinFC! #CFCNEU #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/vCzdD8OjlE

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 16, 2020

Roy Krishna draws first blood in ISL Kolkata Derby 

Roy Krishna created history as he scored the first ISL goal in the league’s maiden Kolkata Derby between ATK Mohun Bagan and SC East Bengal in ISL 2020-21. Both teams had a fresh chance to redefine their rivalry and Roy Krishna did it in style as the Fijian striker had put the Mariners ahead in the 49th minute with a thunderous left-footed strike. Roy Krishna’s team-mate Manvir Singh struck another goal in the 85th minute to help ATKMB secure a 2-0 win over their arch-rivals.

With the world-famous rivalry stretching back over 100 years, the two football giants of the nation had already faced each other a whopping 371 times before this clash. Mohun Bagan, however, have been rechristened as ATK Mohun Bagan since their merger with three-time ISL champions ATK.

Clinical @RoyKrishna21
Magical @manvir_singh07

WATCH the goals from the first-ever #KolkataDerby of the #HeroISL �?a href="http://twitter.com/hashtag/SCEBATKMB?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#SCEBATKMB #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/plHPNK52f5

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) November 28, 2020

 

Feature Image Courtesy: Website/ Indian Super League

The Indian Super League (ISL) reached new heights during the 2019-20 season, with many players performing beyond expectations for their respective sides, while others not quite reaching the same heights as expected of them.

The season saw a staggering 294 goals being scored at an average of 3.09 per match �?more than any of the past five seasons. With ATK FC coming back on top after a few seasons of declined performances, a lot of their improvements can be attributed to the addition of foreign imports under returning head coach Antonio Lopez Habas.

While many foreign players like Sergio Castel, Agustin Garcia Iniguez and Michael Onwu starred for their respective clubs, none were able to achieve the same kind of success as the five new imports mentioned below.

Roy Krishna

One of the marquee signings of the recently concluded ISL season was the addition of Fijian striker Roy Krishna, from Wellington Phoenix, in the A-League in Australia. He scored more than 50 goals for the New Zealand based side, winning the Golden Boot and the prestigious Johnny Warren medal after a stellar 2018-19 season.

Krishna scored some very important goals for the Kolkata-based club, including a brace against Odisha to draw the game and an equaliser in the second leg of the semi-finals against Bengaluru FC. He was the joint top-scorer in the league alongside Bartholomew Ogbeche and Nerijus Valskis with 15 goals but narrowly missed out on the Golden Boot award, having played more minutes than the Chennaiyin hitman.

Read | Three Indian players who dominated ISL 2019/20

His pace and dribbling and ability made him the perfect poacher, complementing Habas and his counter-attacking style this season. Krishna was also a natural leader on the field for the champions, often turning the tide in games with his precise passing and perfect finishing.

David Williams

David Williams fights off competition from Manuel Onwu, Raphael Messi Bouli and Sergio Castel to make it to this list, courtesy of his brilliant performance for ATK in the playoff stages of the tournament. Joining the club along with Roy Krishna, Williams was another star performer for Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.

Having garnered experience across Europe and in his home country, the Aussie forward was prolific for ATK as well. Much like his striker partner Roy Krishna, Williams played an important part in ATK’s run to the finals, like the solitary goal he scored in a win over Chennaiyin (which was also the 1000^th goal of the league).

His biggest contribution, however, was undoubtedly the two goals he scored in the second leg of the semifinals, including a thumping header to give his side the lead. His presence behind Krishna was the main reason the striker could make any forward runs and he finished the season with seven goals and five assists in 18 matches.

Aridane Santana

Spanish strikers have been hugely successful in the ISL, with the likes of Manuel Lanzarote and Ferran Corominas finding the back of the net on many occasions. This season was no different, with the addition of Aridane Santana for newcomers Odisha FC proving beneficial to their fight for a playoff spot.

Read | East Bengal set to join ISL, RoundGlass Punjab may follow

Santana scored nine goals and assisted two others in the fourteen matches he played and led a young Odisha side from upfront. Initially taking time to settle at the club, he soon flourished under Josep Gombau and used his physical prowess to good effect. The 32-year-old striker would also play deep into his team’s territory to defend for Odisha, keeping them in the race for the top four till late.

Just when the Bhubaneshwar-based club was gathering up momentum for the top four, Santana’s season was cut short due to an injury. They ended the season sixth in the league table, but the outcome could’ve been quite different had the Spaniard managed to stay fit.

Nerijus Valskis

Chennaiyin FC’s story in the ISL was a fairytale, having scripted a great comeback to reach the finals with Owen Coyle at the helm. Many players such as Lallianzuala Chhangte, Andre Schembri and Edwin Vanspaul were key members of the team, but the pick of the bunch was definitely Nerijus Valskis.

After quite the slow start to his time in the ISL, The Lithuanian striker was the driving attacking force in the Chennaiyin team. He was the joint-top scorer this season but beat both his other contenders to the Golden Boot by virtue of lesser playing time.

Apart from his direct goal contributions, Valskis�?hold-up play was also a key part of Chennaiyin’s game this season. His instinctive runs helped create opportunities for forward forays for Chennaiyin’s pacy wingers, helping them assist as well as score some great goals.

Rafael Crivellaro

Another member of Chennaiyin’s dream team was Rafael Crivellaro. While Valskis was their goal threat, it was Crivellaro who was in charge of creating the opportunities for Chennaiyin FC throughout the season. The Brazil-born footballer came into the two-time ISL champion team after playing in Italy, UAE, Poland and Portugal.

Crivellaro headed the onslaught of the Chennaiyin attackers after the arrival of Irish head coach Owen Coyle. His free-flowing football was key for Chennaiyin and helped the team build counterattacks towards the tail end of the campaign, as Chennaiyin scored a whopping 34 times in 14 games. Crivellaro scored seven of these goals while assisting another eight. Averaging 51 passes per game, Crivellaro also commanded a decent passing accuracy of 58.62.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Punit Paranjpe

A new week brings a new footballing spectacle. From France’s Ligue 1 to Italy’s Serie A, the action resumes after a break, and England’s Premier League is never one to be left behind. To add to it, the Indian Super League will enter its matchday 12, with some of the best fixtures lined up for the fans.

Back in the Premier League, Tottenham playing host to Liverpool catches the limelight, while Roma taking on Juventus brightens up the Italian shores. With these many games to take note of, the Nostragamus fantasy managers are bound to have a hard time in selecting their respective teams. Say no more, add these names in your squad and you’ll be roaring for the rest of the week.

SUNIL CHHETRI

Club: Bengaluru FC

Match: Bengaluru FC vs Jamshedpur FC

It took him time, but it is safe to say the good old Sunil Chhetri is back to his usual best. Bengaluru, who got off to a slow start this season, play host to Jamshedpur FC on Thursday and given the form he is in at the moment, adding him into the team would be a wise move.

Having scored four goals in his last four appearances, the Indian captain has taken his tally to seven goals this season, just two short of his tally last year. Ageing like a fine wine, the 35-year-old has answered his critics in absolute style and the only way from here is up.

ARIDANE SANTANA

Club: Odisha FC

Match: Odisha FC vs Mumbai City FC

Coming on the back of a brace against Jamshedpur FC, Aridane Santana has been an absolute revelation for Odisha FC this season. The 32-year-old towering striker does not just love scoring goals, but his ability of laying his teammates is bound to give you added bonus when his team take on Mumbai City FC at home on Saturday.

The teams have already squared off against each other in the league, and it was Santana’s brace which guided Odisha to a thumping 4-2 win away from home back in October. Given the red-hot form the Spaniard is in right now, it is a no-brainer to add him to your team.

DAVID WILLIAMS

Club: ATK

Match: ATK vs Kerala Blasters

David Williams has been an unassailable figure for ATK this season. Five goals in 11 ISL outings may not look like a flashy figure for a striker, but his contribution in the team has been way above that. Back during ATK’s 2-0 win over Mumbai, it was Williams who laid a simple tap-in for Pronay Haldar during the opening minutes. And it was his goal which gave ATK all three points against Bengaluru last month.

The 31-year-old Australian has been involved in eight goals in 11 games this season and expect it to remain the same when his team face Kerala Blasters at home on Sunday.

JAMIE VARDY

Club: Leicester City

Match: Leicester City vs Southampton

The replay of that 9-0 spectacle against Southampton is set to be played at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, and stay wise enough to add Jamie Vardy, who scored a hat-trick on the day, in your team. Having scored 17 goals in 21 Premier League outings, Vardy is tipped to shine against the Saints who are on a five-game unbeaten run.

Expect him to add more goals to an already illustrious tally, which has set him four clear of second-placed Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Danny Ings (13 goals).

MARCUS RASHFORD

Club: Manchester United

Match: Manchester United vs Norwich City

Manchester United aren’t really enjoying a great a run of form this season, but a certain Marcus Rashford has managed to run riot. The England international, who has scored 12 Premier League goals so far, scored one and assisted another the last time United met Norwich in the league, and look forward to a similar story altogether when these teams square off at Old Trafford on Saturday.

On his day, Rashford is simply unstoppable given the pace and width he provides, and judging by his recent run of form, he is bound to give you points.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Anthony Devlin

UEFA Champions League brings us some of the most sweltering fixtures in this gameweek, with Real Madrid and Barcelona bearing the brunt forces of Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund respectively. The fantasy managers will be vying to make the most of this monstrous opportunity by selecting the best of the lot from these talented squads and gather maximum points.

The week also brings action from the Indian Super League as it offers some feisty encounters that’ll keep anyone guessing. But we’re here to put things in perspective for you to keep an eye on the major games.  

Real Madrid vs PSG

Los Blancos seem to have hit top form courtesy of four dominating triumphs in their past five outings across all competitions. Real have netted a total of 18 goals in their past five encounters while conceding only a solitary goal against Real Sociedad in La Liga. Zinedine Zidane’s defensive woes have eased and the horrific show in Paris in September can be made up with a win against them on Tuesday night in the Champions League.

Even though PSG have been defeated thrice in the domestic league so far, they are surely not the ones to be trifled with in Europe, having won all their group stage matches so far. The likes of Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi, Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe love a tough challenge and an in-form Real Madrid might satisfy their hunger for facing a quality opponent for long.

Read: Can Eden Hazard restore the glory that eluded Real Madrid last season?

WATCH OUT FOR

Rodrygo: The 18-year-old Brazilian wonderkid has risen through the ranks at Real Madrid and has gained the confidence of his manager. His previous outing in the Champions League included a clinical hat-trick against Galatasaray at the Santiago Bernabeu. Rodrygo’s exploits have been acknowledged and considered on the domestic front as well, which includes two goals in five encounters and an appreciation banner from the home fans which read: ‘Rodrygo-Vini-Lucas-Bale, in that order�?/p>

⚪️ Teenage hat-trick heroes for Real Madrid:

Raúl González - 18 years, 114 days
Rodrygo - 18 years, 302 days#UCL | @realmadriden pic.twitter.com/iNKiCDPEvl

�?UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 14, 2019

Deployed on the right flank in the league match against Real Sociedad, the young forward impressed with his high work rate and ability to adapt. Given the high-profile encounter against PSG and his improved performances lately, expect nothing less than an all-out attacking stint from Rodrygo who idolizes his countryman Neymar.

ATK vs Mumbai City FC

The Indian Super League will enter its sixth matchday over the weekend as the teams expect to leave the disappointment of dropping points from the previous matchday behind, especially ATK who dropped two points against Odisha FC away from home. Although even after an upsetting draw, ATK is still topping the goal charts with 10 goals in five matches courtesy of their star players, Roy Krishna, David Williams and Edu Garcia, and have displayed their immense attacking prowess.

However, Antonio Lopez Habas�?men might face a stiff task against Mumbai City FC who even after enduring a tough start to the season, are pumped and can break any team’s resolve on their day. 

ATK will overlook the past record which asserts Mumbai’s dominance over them, having defeated them on five different occasions over a span of past five seasons, scoring 15 goals in the process.  Everything seems to be working in favour of ATK this season so far and a win over Mumbai City FC will surely get them going. 

WATCH OUT FOR

David Williams: The Australian centre forward has hit the ground running for ATK, having scored three and assisting one in the initial five matches of the season. ATK are leading the league table and the attacking power of the club has been in the limelight courtesy of William’s impressive outings on the field. The 31-year-old is expected to shine once again for his club after missing out on opportunities to score against Odisha FC and will be raring to go after scoring ISL’s 1000^th goal in a triumphant encounter against Chennaiyin FC.

Read: Mumbai City FC’s best playing XI of all time in the ISL

Now, head to Sportsbet.io and start building up the squad.

Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Pierre Philippe Marcou

The last international break of 2019 is coming to an end with club football returning to grab centre-stage. In the Indian Super League (ISL) returns with a high-octane fixture between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters which is sure to enthral the fans, with Odisha FC and ATK bringing the week to a close with a Super Sunday showdown.

On the other hand, the battle for grabbing a Euro 2020 spot is in full swing with Germany, Belgium and Croatia securing a place in the finals of the competition already. But with international fixtures and club football all taking place in the same week, the Nostragamus fantasy managers will have to be cautious in choosing and fielding their perfect squad. That said, here we bring to you five players whom you can pick to ensure you lead the fantasy leaderboard.

EDEN HAZARD

Country: Belgium 

Match: Belgium vs Cyprus

The international colours are working well for the Belgian superstar who is taking his own time to settle into the white kit of Real Madrid. Hazard was clinical against Russia this past weekend when he struck two goals and became Belgium’s second-highest goal scorer. His exploits with his nation are surely expected to get better when Belgium face Cyprus on Tuesday night with an aim to complete a clean sheet of victories in the European qualifiers. He is Zinedine Zidane’s favourite and has time and again proved his worth with his impeccable skills and goal-scoring abilities. He should be your favourite too this week.

Also Read: Can Eden Hazard restore the glory that eluded Real Madrid last season?

JAMIE VARDY

Club: Leicester City

Match: Brighton vs Leicester City

Premier League’s current top goalscorer with 11 goals in his bag, Vardy has sprung back to life under Brendan Rodgers. Four goals and an assist in the past three games for Leicester City have bolstered the confidence of the Englishman whose form is surely expected to peak in a trip to Brighton. The Foxes now sit just behind Liverpool in the league table and have been rampant in their outings lately. Expect nothing less than a goal-scoring spree from the Leicester No. 9.

BARTHOLOMEW OGBECHE

Club: Kerala Blasters

Match: Bengaluru FC v Kerala Blasters

Even though Kerala Blasters have endured a slow start to the 2019-20 ISL season, new signing Bartholomew Ogbeche has been blossoming for the Blasters. He seems to have been continuing his fine goalscoring form from last season with Northeast United where he ended with 12 goals to his name. So far, the Nigerian centre forward has netted two goals for Kerala with a comprehensive passing accuracy of 56.25%. Given his veteran status on the field, the ace striker surely is enjoying the competitiveness of the league and is displaying his immense hunger to score goals.

Also Read: Amine Chermiti’s experience a key element in Mumbai City FC’s surge

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Club: Bayern Munich

Match: Fortuna vs Bayern Munich

The Polish goal machine is ruthless with the opponent teams shuddering at the sight of him running towards their goal. Having already scored for Bayern Munich in all their domestic league and Champions League games so far, Lewandowski has given no signals of slowing down.

11 matches, 16 goals

Robert Lewandowski has scored in every single league game that Bayern Munich have played this season

The king of the Bundesliga . pic.twitter.com/afL523wpaZ

�?King De Supremo. (@Kingdesupremo) November 10, 2019

His domestic tally stands at 16 goals in 11 games in the Bundesliga and with international break strengthening his resolve of scoring, expect nothing but goals galore from the Bavarian striker when he faces Slovenia on Wednesday and Fortuna on Saturday.

DAVID WILLIAMS

Club: ATK

Match: Odisha FC vs ATK

David Williams is enjoying life with ATK at the moment. The 31-year-old has played the full length of the 90 minutes across four games and has netted three goals and provided an invaluable assist so far. For his outstanding display with Kolkata, he was presented with October’s Hero of the Month award in the ISL and has been instrumental in dictating the play for his club.

A sensational start for @willo_15 in the #HeroISL

The Australian striker's first goal @HydFCOfficial wins your vote for Fans' Goal of the Week for Gameweek 2. #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/OXtp7vaIIh

�?Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) October 31, 2019

Recently, he scored ISL’s 1000^th goal and given his blistering form with the league toppers ATK, David is a no brainer in your fantasy squad for this week.

Feature image courtesy: AFP/ Sven Hoppe

The Indian Super League will enter its fourth matchday, with teams looking to leave their disappointment in the past and look for new starts. ATK will take on Jamshedpur FC in the comfort of their home, while Goa FC will look to pile on the misery on a struggling Mumbai City FC.

Also, Europe’s premier football competition, the UEFA Champions League, returns this week with the clubs across the continent all but sure to make it count on matchday four. While the battle in Europe will be at its pinnacle, the fight for domestic glory doesn’t seem to take a back seat as Liverpool and Manchester City clash at Anfield on Sunday.

A jam-packed week will find its course and end with huge clashes between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in Germany while Italy will witness current league leaders, Juventus going toe to toe with AC Milan in Turin.

The fantasy managers of Nostragamus  will find themselves in a bubble of keeping track of high-octane fixtures. That said, here we bring you the five players you can pick to ease your woes.

SADIO MANE

Club: Liverpool

Match: Liverpool vs Manchester City

Sadio Mane’s goal in stoppage time against Aston Villa ensured that the Reds stay undefeated in the Premier League. The Senegalese striker has been at his lethal best, having scored six and assisted two in his last 11 appearances for the club. A visit of the defending champions will be tricky, given the point difference between the Citizens and the Merseysiders, but Mane’s goal scoring form has peaked at the most opportune moment.

Before that, Liverpool host KRC Genk at Anfield in the midweek Champions League fixture. Going into an all-important fixture on the weekend, this encounter could truly enhance Mane’s form.

Read | How Mane, Firmino and Salah wrought havoc on Europe

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI

Club: Bayern Munich

Match: Bayern Munich vs Dortmund

The Polish striker couldn’t have envisioned a better start to his campaign with teams faltering at the sight of the ball on his feet. He is currently unstoppable, as the 31-year-old has found the back of the net on 14 occasions in 10 Bundesliga games. Given the fact that Bayern play Olympiacos at home in the Champions League in midweek, Robert Lewandowski will surely look to better his record of five goals in three encounters in Europe’s premier competition.

However, his biggest challenge lies over the weekend when Dortmund visit the Allianz Arena. Expect nothing but a flurry of goals from the world-class forward.

AFP / Aris Messinis

ARIDANE SANTANA

Club: Odisha FC

Match: Odisha FC v Kerala Blasters

Joining Odisha FC from Cultural Leonesa on loan, Aridane Santana is enjoying life in the Indian Super League. A key attacking player, Santana has struck three goals in three outings and has provided an invaluable assist to etch his name as a fan favourite.

Currently the leading goal scorer in the league, Santana’s priority remains to boost the chances of his team and make them an all-round squad by leading from the front. Odisha play Kerala Blasters this week and Santana will be pumped to continue his remarkable goal scoring form in the league.

Read | Aridane Santana: A journeyman finding solidity with Odisha FC

DAVID WILLIAMS

Club: Atletico de Kolkata (ATK)

Match: ATK vs Jamshedpur

A player with an impressive resume with Liverpool and Belgian club Club Brugge during his youth, the Australian-born David Williams will be looking to extend his goal tally. He is on par with Santana on the number of goals scored in the season so far and to leave him out of your fantasy squad would be nothing short of criminal.

Playing for two-time champions ATK, Williams is tipped to become one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league. 

ASAMOAH GYAN

Club: NorthEast United FC

Match: NorthEast United FC vs Hyderabad FC

The former captain of the Ghana national football team, Asamoah Gyan has posted an impressive start to the season with two goals in his first three encounters. Gyan has already shone with clubs around the world playing in Italy and England but an opportunity to play in the Indian Super League has been even more rewarding for the NorthEast United striker.

Northeast United have drawn two of their three matches and are yet to lose a game. Time for the experienced striker to propel them to a resounding victory when they come up against Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / NEUtdFC

India’s premier football competition, the Indian Super League heads into matchday four with a promise of providing another spectacle before the international break, during which there will be no club football action for almost two weeks.

The topsy-turvy facet of the league has given the fans a lot to talk about and every team would like to head into the break with positive results in their kitty.

Given the unpredictable nature of the league, it is all but human to have a selection dilemma while picking your teams. Well, we are here to make your life easy by giving you straightforward options. Just keep an eye on these games and head to Sportsbet.io to select your picks. 

Kerala Blasters vs Odisha FC

Refurbished from the Delhi Dynamos team ahead of the ongoing season, Odisha FC enter the fixture on the back of a thumping 4-2 victory over Mumbai City FC on their own turf. The confidence will be sky high as they make their second consecutive away trip, this time to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi to face Kerala Blasters.

This particular game offers plenty of drama, and plenty of goal, with as many as 11 goals being scored in their last four meetings. Their last goalless draw in fact came way back in October 2016, if you also consider Delhi Dynamos�?record.

As for the ongoing season, both teams have won one and have lost two of their last three games and are only separated by the goal difference in the point tally.

Watch out for:

Aridane Santana: New signing Aridane Santana has been an influential figure for Odisha this season, scoring three goals and an assist in three ISL fixtures. His ability of combining with his teammates coupled with the hot streak he is in right now is something Kerala would be extremely wary of. The home team cannot afford to give the towering striker even a slightest edge. 

ATK vs Jamshedpur FC

ATK, after finishing a lowly sixth last season, have got into the groove this season, winning two of their last three games. The two-time champions did start the new season with a defeat, but a 5-0 thrashing of Hyderabad FC all but make up for the errors. The marching continued, as the Antonio Habas-managed team defeated Chennaiyin FC 1-0 away from home.

Jamshedpur, on the other hand, are once again proving why they are the dark horses this season, having acquired the top spot in the tally with two wins out of three.

The Men of Steel have crossed ATK’s path four times since their induction in 2017, and there’s nothing to separate the two teams as far as the head to head count goes. Two draws and a win apiece defines how competitive the teams have been against each other.

Watch out for:

David Williams: Another contender running in the for golden boot is ATK’s new singing, David Williams, who has taken the league by storm. Having an identical stat to that of Santana (three goals and one assist), the former Wellington Phoenix striker has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Roy Krishna this season, and the duo will hope to have a similar impact which helped them register two back to back victories.

Head to Sportsbet.io to make your selections and let the ball rolling.

Feature image courtesy: Twitter / @ATKFC