Happy New Year! 2024 is upon us and action at the FC Pro Open is set to return on January 8.
Match Week 5 is up next which means it’s time for the second round of fixtures for Group A, on a night in which we will see the first two confirmed qualifiers to the FC Pro Open Finals.
Emre Yilmaz and Umut are in the strongest position as they return to London only separated by goal difference after both registering 10 points, while H1dalgo, Lukas, and Mark11 will be hoping to improve on their performances from last time around.
The first matches are scheduled to kick off from 18.10 GMT, and you can catch all of the action as well as a look into each competitor's draft on our official Twitch and Youtube channels.
Players to watch at the FC Pro Open - Match Week 5
Emre Yilmaz - Team Gullit esports pro Emre Yilmaz was the best performer in Match Week 1, and he comes into the second round of fixtures at the top of the Group A standings. No player scored more goals than him in the opening week, while he also boasted the best defence with just 11 goals conceded in four games.
Umut - RBLZ gaming star Umut is the second of the two unbeaten competitors so far in Group A. He is currently level on points with Emre Yilmaz, and scored just one less goal than him in Match Week 1 with 21 goals scored in four matches. That leaves little between the two Europeans, who look to be competing to finish Match Week 5 as group winners.
H1dalgo - While he may not have been one of the favourites coming into the FC Pro Open, H1dalgo showed exactly why he has the ability to make an impact at the competition. Representing Somah Esports, the Spaniard got off to a perfect start in Match Week 1 with two wins in the first two rounds – much to the delight of owners of FC Pro Live item Sadio Mane.
He comes into Match Week 5 with a real chance of qualifying to the FC Pro Open finals after putting in respectable performances last time out against both the two group leaders.
Three matches to watch at the FC Pro Open - Match Week 5
Umut vs Emre Yilmaz (Round 6 - 18.10 GMT)
Umut and Emre Yilmaz were the two standout performers in Match Week 1 as they kicked off the competition with an exciting 4-4 draw, and they both come into the second round of Group A fixtures on 10 points.
The Team Gullit star currently leads Group A on goal difference, but victory for either player here would strongly enhance their chances of qualification to the FC Pro Open finals.
H1dalgo vs Mark11 (Round 7 - 18.50 GMT)
An interesting match to look out for in Match Week 5 is the round 7 clash between H1dalgo and Mark11.
A win for the Australian star would be his first at the FC Pro Open after he lost all four games last time around, including a 7-2 defeat to H1dalgo in the reverse fixture.
Should Umut fail to beat Emre Yilmaz in Round 6, back-to-back wins for H1dalgo in Match Week 5 would see him guaranteed to move into the top two – with Umut not scheduled to feature in round 7.
Emre Yilmaz vs H1dalgo (Round 9 - 20.10 GMT)
The round 9 clash between Emre Yilmaz and H1dalgo could have much to decide in terms of who makes it through to the FC Pro Open finals.
This match is set to kick-off at the same time as when Umut goes up against Mark11, and that could see both matches in round 9 as the most decisive on the night.
Emre Yilmaz had the better of the pair last time around in a 5-3 win over H1dalgo, though the Somah Esports star has shown that he is able to challenge any opponent.
All matches in Match Week 5 of the FC Pro Open
(18.10 GMT) - Group A Round 6
Umut vs Emre Yilmaz
Lukas vs H1dalgo
(18.50 GMT) - Group A Round 7
H1dalgo vs Mark11
Emre Yilmaz vs Lukas
(19.30 GMT) - Group A Round 8
Lukas vs Umut
Mark11 vs Emre Yilmaz
(20.10 GMT) - Group A Round 9
Emre Yilmaz vs H1dalgo
Umut vs Mark11
(20.50 GMT) - Group A Round 10
Mark11 vs Lukas
H1dalgo vs Umut
