#UCLfantasy Scout: big-name players
Thursday, November 30, 2017
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Teams are already through but their top stars may still play on matchday six.
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Neymar (Paris, FW, €11.3m)
Paris have already booked their place in the last 16, but Unai Emery won't be rotating his side on matchday six. The French side face Bayern in Munich: a prestige encounter that will also determine first place in the group. The Basque coach rested several regulars in the league encounter against Troyes and will do so again against Strasbourg this weekend, with a view to fielding a star line-up in Germany. Expect the Brazilian forward and the rest of Paris' heavy artillery (Cavani, Alves, Verratti, Areola…) to be wheeled out against Bayern.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, FW, €12.3m)
Uncharacteristically ineffective in the Spanish Liga (just two goals), Ronaldo has been sharp in the UEFA Champions League, scoring eight goals in five matches. Although Real Madrid are certain to finish second in Group H, Ronaldo is the last player you would expect to see on the bench as they take on Borussia Dortmund.
Eden Hazard (Chelsea, MF, €10.7m)
Antonio Conte issued a warning to his players that he will be rotating his squad. He did so in the league this week and will continue in the UEFA Champions League. The Blues are through, but still need a point to clinch top spot against desperate-to-win Atlético Madrid. Given the opposition, Hazard is more likely to play than to be rested.
Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona, DF, €6.0m)
The young French defender was one of six players given a three-day rest by Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde after the 1-1 league draw with Valencia, and didn't feature against Murcia in the Copa del Rey in midweek. He is therefore likely to be in the starting line-up against Sporting CP, despite the Blaugrana being assured a top-spot finish.
Joshua Kimmich (Bayern, MF, €7.6m)
The versatile 22-year-old is expected to start against Paris. Despite having already secured their qualification to the knock-out stage, Bayern have a (slim) chance of overtaking their opponents to finish first in Group B. Moreover, a long injury list means Jupp Heynckes has not much of a squad left to rotate!
Raheem Sterling (Manchester City, MF, €8.7m)
Ahead of a very busy month in domestic football, Pep Guardiola is expected to shuffle his pack for the trip to Shakhtar, but the thought of a perfect, 18-point group stage campaign will be on his mind. Kevin De Bruyne, who has played non-stop since the beginning of the season, is suspended, but Sterling could feature in Ukraine. That said, guessing Guardiola's decisions is notoriously difficult so, if you have Manchester City players in your squad, proceed with caution.