UCL Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Article summary
UEFA.com looks to see who everyone is picking for Matchday 1, and which players are flying under the radar.
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Ahead of Matchday 1 in this season’s UEFA Champions League, UEFA.com looks at some popular selections, as well as those who could spring a surprise.
GOALKEEPERS
Popular pick
Manuel Neuer (€6.0m) vs Atlético (H)
After racking up 50 #UCLFantasy points in last season’s competition, it comes as no surprise that Neuer is currently the highest selected goalkeeper going into Matchday 1. The German stopper played a crucial role in Bayern’s march to their sixth European Cup, recording six clean sheets and 28 saved shots to show that he is still amongst the very best keepers in world football. The Bundesliga champions welcome Spanish giants Atlético to Munich on Matchday 1. Neuer only conceded one goal in Bayern’s three home group stage matches last season.
Selected by 31%
Potential differential
José Sá (€4.5m) vs Marseille (H)
Last season was one to remember for Portugese goalkeeper José Sá. The Olympiacos No1 kept an impressive 29 clean sheets in all competitions for the Greek champions, who conceded just 16 goals all season in the Super League. He has already begun this season’s UEFA Champions League campaign with two clean sheets as Olympiacos overcame Omonoia of Cyprus 2-0 on aggregate in the play-off round. Sá will now look to take his form into the group stage, with his side at home to Marseille on Matchday 1.
Selected by 4%
DEFENDERS
Popular pick
Sergio Ramos (€6.5m) vs Shakhtar Donetsk (H)
For many years, Ramos has been among the most reliable #UCLfantasy point-scorers from defence and this season looks set to be no different. The Real Madrid captain has started the season strongly as part of a defence that has kept three clean sheets in their opening four Spanish Liga matches. Ramos provides not just defensive stability but also a significant goal threat having scored twice in last season’s UEFA Champions League. #UCLfantasy managers who have selected Ramos in their side will hoping that he can secure points from both ends of the field on Matchday 1 with a home game against Shakhtar.
Selected by 41%
Potential differential
Robin Gosens (€5.5m) vs Midtjylland (A)
Italian side Atalanta burst on to the UEFA Champions League scene on debut last year, defender Gosens establishing himself as an extremely valuable #UCLfantasy asset with 39 points over the course of the competition. Fielded primarily as an attacking wing-back by Gian Piero Gasperini, the German international was responsible for 48 completed ball recoveries over the course of the competition. Gosens also made the most of his license to roam forward, scoring his first ever UEFA Champions League goal on Matchday 6 at Shakhtar. This season he has already opened his account in Serie A with a goal in Atalanta's 4-1 win at Lazio and could prove a valuable #UCLFantasy differential again as La Dea travel to newcomers Midtjylland.
Selected by 5%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular pick
Ansu Fati (€8.0m) vs Ferencváros (H)
The 17-year-old has begun 2020/21 in scintillating form, giving Barcelona fans belief that a new superstar could be in their midst. The La Masia developed prodigy has started all three Spanish Liga matches so far this season for Ronald Koeman's side, scoring three times, while he also found the net on his first international start for Spain against Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League. Fati played 112 minutes in last season's UEFA Champions League, scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 win at Inter on Matchday 6 to become the competition's youngest ever scorer. His game time so far this season suggests that he will feature more prominently this year and with Hungarian side Ferencváros the visitors to the Camp Nou on Matchday 1, #UCLfantasy managers have moved in huge numbers to bring Fati into their respective squads.
Selected by 31%
Potential differential
Sadio Mané (€11.0m) vs Ajax (A)
A vital part of Liverpool’s well-oiled attacking machine, Mané will be looking to improve on his two goals and two assists in last season’s UEFA Champions League campaign. The Senegalese star scored 18 goals and registered ten assists in Liverpool’s Premier League-winning campaign in 2019/20 and already has three goals in his three league appearances so far this season. With a Matchday 1 trip to Ajax in the offing, Mané may well prove a shrewd differential for those #UCLfantasy managers looking to gain an early edge.
Selected by 2%
FORWARDS
Popular pick
Robert Lewandowski (€12.0m) vs Atlético (H)
Last season’s highest scoring #UCLfantasy asset is unsurprisingly the highest owned forward heading into Matchday 1. The Bayern striker took his game to a whole new level on the European stage in 2019/20, his total of 15 goals making him the UEFA Champions League's top scorer for the first time. Overall, the Polish marksman accrued an incredible 104 #UCLfantasy points over the course of the campaign and it is no surprise that so many managers are putting their faith in Lewandowski despite the defensive pedigree of opening-day opponents Atlético.
Selected by 45%
Potential differential
Neymar (€11.5m) vs Manchester United (H)
The Brazilian forward accumulated 36 #UCLFantasy points last season, with three goals and four assists, despite missing four of the six group games. Neymar will be desperate to start this year’s group stage with a bang and a recent hat-trick for Brazil during international duty will have done no harm to his confidence. Owned by under 10% of #UCLfantasy managers, Neymar represents an astute differential choice as his side open up against Manchester United.
Selected by 7%