Matchday 4 Recap 

Mitrovic (11M) Masterclass in Riyadh  

We told you to captain him, and boy, he delivered. Al Hilal’s star forward Aleksandar Mitrovic proved too hot to handle for the Esteghlal defence. The Serbian notched a hat-trick which secured a comfortable 3-0 win for his side to extend their perfect start to the tournament.  

Mitrovic’s imperious showing racked him a Matchday-high 14 points. This should be great news to many Fantasy players as he was the most captained player of the round, with 28% of users selecting the big Serb as their skipper. 

Well done!  

Marvelous Miyashiro (8.5M) ends Gwangju’s perfect start 

Newcomers Gwangju FC’s magical start to the campaign was ended in Kobe on Matchday 4 at the hands (or in this case feet) of the in-form Taisei Miyashiro. The 24-year-old converted from the penalty spot to give his side the lead before his shot was parried out by goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-min, allowing Daiji Sasaki to head home the rebound for the 2-0 win.

Miyashiro has been fantastic in front of goal lately, netting four goals in the past three games. He earned his Fantasy owners eight points thanks to his showing against Gwangju. 

Firmino (8M), Mahrez (9.5M) and Co. on target for Al Ahli  

Al Ahli Saudi’s star-studded squad all queued up to get on the scoresheet on Matchday 4 as they pounced on Al Shorta to claim a dominant 5-1 triumph. Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez each notched a brace as they combined for 23 Fantasy points en route to a perfect four wins from four. 

In addition, Feras Al Brikan (9M) also chipped in with an impressive one goal and two assists which returned him 12 points.  

If you had one of the three Al Ahli attackers, your selection process is working superbly! 

Lopes (9.5M) and Kamijima (5M) dominate Buriram 

Despite hosting an unbeaten Buriram side who boasted one of the best defences in the league heading into the game, Yokohama F. Marinos fired five past the 10-man Thunder Castle under the Japanese lights. The ever-dazzling Anderson Lopes bagged a brace while Takumi Kamijima claimed a pair of assists and a clean sheet. 

The duo combined for 22 points on an evening that saw Thai defender Sasalak Haiprakhon sent off less than 30 minutes into the contest.  

 

Is this the start of a run for Marinos or just a bad night for Buriram?  

Matchday 5 Tips from the Scout  

One to Have: Anderson Lopes (9.5M)  

It’s difficult to stop a striker when he’s on a scoring streak and that’s exactly the form Yokohama F. Marinos talisman Lopes is on lately. Four goals in his last three outings, including a double last time out, the 31-year-old isn’t looking like slowing down anytime soon.  

From a match-up point of view, Marinos host a Pohang Steelers side who have yet to pick up a point on the road this season. Coming off a morale-boosting 5-0 win against Buriram, Yokohama’s home should be a fortress for Lopes to reign supreme when the Korean side visits on Matchday 5. 

Owned by less than 4% of all Fantasy managers, if you have sufficient funds, the Brazilian hot shot could be a great acquisition. 

Differential Pick: Renan Lodi (4.5M)  

When talking about Al Hilal’s wing-back position, all the limelight will be lasered towards the right side at Portuguese international Joao Cancelo. However, on the other side, left wing-back Renan Lodi is a well-priced alternative if you want to save cash in your Fantasy line-up. 

At only 4.5M, he ranks among the best defenders in the competition with 26 points from the first four games. Not only is he the cheapest option in the top 10 highest-scoring defenders list, he has registered a goal or assist in his last three outings.

  

Less than 8% of all users have him in their team, so hurry up and grab him before he becomes a hot commodity!  

Best Upcoming Fixture: Daiya Maekawa (5M)  

In a competition full of world class goalkeepers, Vissel Kobe’s Daiya Maekawa shines brightest. The veteran shot-stopper has kept a tournament-high three clean sheets and has been scored past once as we reach the halfway point.  

The upcoming Matchday 5 fixture of Maekawa’s Fantasy owners is also a favourable one as top-of-the-table Kobe welcome Australia’s winless Central Coast Mariners, who sit second-bottom in the league.  

If you’re looking for something extra to help you leapfrog your friends, Maekawa could be the secret ingredient. 

Captaincy Choice: Riyad Mahrez (9.5M)  

Saudi giants Al Ahli have been on fire to kick off the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25. With four wins in four and coming off a staggering 5-1 win over Al Shorta, confidence is sky-high.  

Consistency is key to prolonging these winning runs and a lot of that comes down to great leadership from the experienced Riyad Mahrez.  

The 33-year-old forward has contributed three goals and three assists in four games so far. He’s not blanked on a single Matchday yet for the 9% of Fantasy users who have backed him.