UEFA.com works better on other browsers
For the best possible experience, we recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge.

#UCLfantasy: What the numbers say

UEFA.com looks at the facts and figures to see which players are in line for decent totals on matchday three.

Neymar is projected for 12 points on matchday three
Neymar is projected for 12 points on matchday three ©AFP/Getty Images

Predicting which Fantasy players are going to perform for a given matchday can be a difficult task. Through crunching the numbers, a projected points total for each player has been calculated based on the player's historical performance in the UEFA Champions League. Goals, assists, clean sheets and the likelihood of playing are the major parameters used in our projections.

The top projected players for each position for matchday three are given below.

GOALKEEPERS

PlayerPrice
ClubOpponentsHome/AwayGamedayProjected
Manuel Neuer6.0BayernAEK AthensATuesday6.8
Alisson Becker5.5LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday6.1
Robin Olsen4.0RomaCSKA MoskvaHTuesday6.0
Andre Onana4.5AjaxBenficaHTuesday6.0

Fresh off a clean sheet in their first away match of the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League, Manuel Neuer is projected to keep a second clean sheet when Bayern travel to AEK Athens. The Greek team will be expected to attack in front of their home fans, so Neuer tops the list due to his save potential.

Alisson Becker is second on the list with Liverpool having kept four clean sheets in their six home matches in all competitions this season, while Roma (and Robin Olsen) are projected to keep a clean sheet with the Italian side having not conceded a group stage goal at home since 2015/16.

The final spot goes to Ajax 'keeper Andre Onana, who kept a clean sheet in their opening home match against AEK.

DEFENDERS

PlayerPrice
ClubOpponentsHome/AwayGamedayProjected
Aleksandar Kolarov5.5RomaCSKA MoskvaHTuesday9.4
Sergio Ramos6.5Real MadridPlzeňHTuesday7.6
Nicolás Tagliafico4.5AjaxBenficaHTuesday7.2
Joshua Kimmich6.0BayernAEK AthensATuesday6.4
David Alaba6.5BayernAEK AthensATuesday6.2
Mats Hummels6.0BayernAEK AthensATuesday6.0
Matthijs de Ligt5.0AjaxBenficaHTuesday6.0
Kostas Manolas6.0RomaCSKA MoskvaHTuesday6.0
Andy Robertson5.5LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday6.0
Trent Alexander-Arnold5.5LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday6.0

The top projected defenders once again highlight how important home fixtures are in the UEFA Champions League, with seven of the ten playing in front of their own fans. The three defenders who buck this trend all belong to the same outfit; Bayern's Joshua Kimmich, David Alaba and Mats Hummels.

The top projected defender for matchday three is Roma's Aleksandar Kolarov. Fresh off a nine-point haul on matchday two, the Serbian left-back combines clean sheet potential with significant attacking threat. Already with an assist in this season's UEFA Champions League, Kolarov was also a strong asset last year, scoring once and assisting three times in the competition.

MIDFIELDERS

PlayerPrice
ClubOpponentsHome/AwayGamedayProjected
Mohamed Salah11.0LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday10.5
James Milner5.5LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday8.8
Philippe Coutinho8.5BarcelonaInternazionaleHWednesday8.4
Sadio Mané9.0LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday7.7
Isco8.0Real MadridPlzeňHTuesday6.2
Thiago Alcántara8.5BayernAEK AthensATuesday6.0
Paul Pogba9.0Man. UtdJuventusHTuesday6.0
Marlos   6.0ShakhtarMan. CityHTuesday4.9
Fernando5.5GalatasaraySchalkeHWednesday4.7

There is a strong Liverpool presence in the above list, the English club providing three of the top four projected midfielders. Last season, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and James Milner scored or assisted a combined 33 times (20 goals and 13 assists) between them on their way to the final.

Our algorithm also favours former Red Philippe Coutinho. The diminutive Brazilian already has a goal and an assist to his name in the competition and will expect to improve that record when Barcelona host Internazionale. The Italian outfit are yet to keep a clean sheet in this year's competition.

FORWARDS

PlayerPrice
ClubOpponentsHome/AwayGamedayProjected
Neymar11.0ParisNapoliHWednesday12.2
Robert Lewandowski11.0BayernAEK AthensATuesday9.3
Edin Džeko10.0RomaCSKA MoskvaHWednesday7.4
Kylian Mbappé10.0ParisNapoliHWednesday7.2
Luis Suárez10.5BarcelonaInternazionaleHWednesday7.1
Edinson Cavani11.0ParisNapoliHWednesday7.1
Roberto Firmino9.5LiverpoolCrvena zvezdaHWednesday7.0
Cristiano Ronaldo12.0JuventusMan. UtdATuesday6.5
Harry Kane11.0TottenhamPSVAWednesday6.2

Managers are spoilt for choice when selecting the best forward for matchday three, with all ten expected to score six or more points. Top of the list – for the second matchday running – is Paris' Neymar, who rewarded owners last time out with a hat-trick and 14 points.

Below Neymar is a who's who of European forwards, with Robert Lewandowski, Edin Džeko and Luis Suárez all capable of significant returns. Neymar's team-mate Kylian Mbappé is also one to watch, with the Frenchman scoring 14 goals in his last 13 appearances for club and country.

Selected for you