Promotion parties meet relegation funerals as the end of season rapidly approaches. Points over performance and all that. As the pressure mounts at both ends of respective European tables we pull up a seat somewhere in the middle to pick out our selection of the hottest boots on show over the pat seven days... admittedly a day late thanks to a severe Bank Holiday hangover. Soz.
Tom Cairney (Fulham) Nike Hypervenom
Fulham recorded back to back wins over the Easter Weekend to ensure they stay on track to extend their season into the play-offs. Tom Cairney was on target from the penalty spot against Norwich before his side took maximum points off Aston Villa three days later. Cairney has caught the eye with a number of long range strikes for Fulham this season wearing the first generation Nike Hypervenom in its original launch colourway.
Kieran Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday) Nike Tiempo Legend 6
Sheffield Wednesday also have their sights set on a play-off position as their charge towards the Premier League was also backed up by consecutive Easter victories against Cardiff and QPR. The pick of the boot spotting action from the Owls squad came via the feet of goalkeeper Keiren Westwood who has created his own simplistic NikeiD design on the Tiempo Legend 6.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) New Balance
Arsenal chalked up a much needed victory on Monday night as they travelled back down south with a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough. Aaron Ramsey provided the assist for Mesut Ozil's winner wearing an unreleased New Balance silo. Ramsey was recently spotted wearing a blacked out pair of boots which sparked speculation that he may have been leaving the brand, but the return of the New Balance logo confirms he is in fact testing an upcoming silo.
Luis Silva (Real Salt Lake) adidas ACE 17.1 Primeknit
Black. Red. White. Luis Silva has created a trademark adidas Predator colourway on his ACE 17.1 Primeknit boots this week as Real Salt Lake beat Colorado Rapids 2-1. It's a colourway that will be forever linked to famous Predator series and a colourway that would instantly sell out should adidas wish to stick it on any of their current silos. Similar to the launch colourway, only Silva has extended the black across the full upper.
Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes) Under Armour Clutchfit 3.0 3D
Juan Sebastian Veron became the oldest player in Copa Libertadores history at 42 as the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder was in action for Estudiantes this week. Veron is Club President at Estudiantes but came out of retirement to help the side this season. The boot of choice for the Argentinean legend? A complete blacked out pair of limited edition Under Armour Clutchfit 3.0 3D.
Tomas Charles (Deportes Iquique) adidas F50 adizero
Deportes Iquique's Tomas Charles took things back to May 2011 to wear the adidas F50 adizero in "Electricity/Anodized Purple" this week. The second generation of the adizero series was launched just over six years ago in January 2011 with the colourway worn by Tomas Charles dropping as the final design of the series before a new model dropped in time for EURO 2012.
Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
Bristol City pulled themselves further away from the Championship drop zone over the Easter period with a win over QPR and a draw with fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers. Callum O'Dowda was sporting his NikeiD game with a custom red and white Mercurial Vapor XI design to match the home colours of his club. Smart.
Ellesah Mensah (CF Mounana) adidas ACE 16+ Purecontrol
Ellesah Mensah got his limited edition swag on this week by slipping into the adidas Space Craft ACE 16+ Purecontrol. Launched in September 2016 as part of the adidas Limited Collection, the Space Craft pack was made up of the ACE 16+ and a corresponding X 16+ Purechaos and was snapped up by collectors worldwide. Only a handful of the boots have been spotted on pitch, the latest coming in Gabon as Menasha turned out for CF Mounana... what's my name? Which of course their fans, should, if they don't already, chant all game, every game.
Emily Westwood (Birmingham City) Concave Halo +
The Concave presence in the professional game continues to grow each week with players from both the women's and men's game switching into the unique concepts. The latest player to be spotted in the Concave Halo+ boots was Birmingham City's Emily Westwood who was sporting the blackout design. For those not familiar with the brand; Concave embed a sweet spot element just above the laces to offer a larger striking zone for increased shot power.
Yeni Atito Ngbakoto (QPR) Nike Mercurial Vapor XI
Yeni Atito Ngbakoto went up against Callum O'Dowda on Friday in the battle of the custom red Mercurials at Ashton Gate. The Queens Park Rangers forward mixed things up slightly in comparison to O'Dowda's design by equipping his boots with yellow laces and a black Swoosh. Points go to the Bristol City man for us on this one.
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) adidas X 16.1
In-form Premier League strikers like consistency. In previous seasons we've seen players remain in the same boots all season, especially the top scorers in the league. Not Romelu Lukaku. The Everton man has switched between brands recently, appearing in both the Nike Hypervenom and adidas X 16.1 series. Whatever he's worn, he's scored goals in, but for Nike and adidas they'll be desperate to tie him down with an official contract, especially if Lukaku leaves Goodison Park in the summer.
