#UCLfantasy Tipster: Andrew's team
Thursday, December 1, 2016
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Andrew Haslam fears player rotation could cost his team dear on matchday six, so is pondering making several transfers.
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Having played my wildcard on matchday five, I collected 47 points with some of my moves paying off and others less successful, but now I need to ponder who I think will go through in the last round of group games – and which players might be unexpectedly rested.
Putting my faith in Lyon to get a result at Dinamo Zagreb paid dividends, with my captain Alexandre Lacazette getting the goal and Anthony Lopes keeping a clean sheet, bringing in a combined 18 points for my team.
Riyad Mahrez and Nicolás Pareja added seven each, and there were four from Luis Suárez, but that was pretty much it. Now, with a few players' teams already in the last 16 – and in the case of Mahrez and Suárez, already assured of finishing first – I need to be very careful with my selections for the final round of group games.
No issues in goal as Lopes and Benfica's Ederson both have plenty to play for. In defence, I need to replace the injured Dani Alves – one of his Juventus team-mates seems the sensible alternative – but Pareja's Sevilla need a result at Lyon to go through while Marc Bartra (Dortmund), Stefan Savić (Atlético) and Kamil Glik (Monaco) are all likely to figure in matches that will decide their already-qualified teams' finishing positions.
Mahrez aside, in midfield Napoli's Marek Hamšík and Corentin Tolisso of Lyon should play, although I'm uncertain whether Raheem Sterling will play for Manchester City and Dortmund's Christian Pulišić may also miss out. Potential replacements? I like the look of Ricardo Quaresma given Beşiktaş need to win, and I'm also tempted by André Silva of Porto.
Lacazette will again lead the Lyon line, although I wouldn't be surprised to see one or both of Luis Suárez and Sergio Agüero rested. I might turn to Edinson Cavani of Paris instead, although Eduardo Salvio and Dries Mertens are both also good options ahead of Benfica v Napoli.
A reminder: unlimited transfers are possible before the round of 16, so there's no need to plan too far ahead when choosing your squad. Good luck!