UCL Fantasy Football popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of Matchday 11, UEFA.com looks at some highly sought-after picks, as well as those who could spring a surprise.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

Edouard Mendy (€5.5m) vs Real Madrid
Whilst the Chelsea goalkeeper was extremely frustrated on Matchday 10 as he was denied an eighth UEFA Champions League clean sheet following a Porto goal in second-half stoppage time, the Senegalese stopper is by far the most popular keeper remaining in the competition from a #UCLfantasy perspective with an current ownership of 26%. Mendy has accrued 51 Fantasy points so far, the most of any goalkeeper, and considering Chelsea have conceded one goal in their four knockout matches this season, owners have reason to hope for another clean sheet here.
Owned by 26%

Potential differential

Thibaut Courtois (€6.0m) vs Chelsea
Courtois recorded his fourth clean sheet of the competition in the goalless draw at Liverpool last time out and he was the only goalkeeper to do so of the four sides on Matchday 10 who advanced to the semi-finals. Courtois won’t be short of motivation as he looks to shut out his former club in this semi-final first leg, and having recorded 20 saves in this season’s UEFA Champions League, the Belgian keeper may be set to add to that tally with Real Madrid expected to prioritise a clean sheet in a bid to stop Chelsea scoring an away goal. Courtois, as the least-owned of the four remaining first-choice goalkeepers in the competition, looks a smart differential pick.
Owned by 9%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

João Cancelo (€6.1m) vs Paris
As the highest-scoring #UCLfantasy defender remaining and the third highest-scoring in all positions, it is no surprise that Cancelo is so well-fancied heading into Manchester City's semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain. The Portuguese full-back has accumulated 52 points from his eight European appearances so far and also provides his ownership with an attacking outlet, having netted a goal and an assist to go alongside his four clean sheets. Cancelo has also made the most of the ball recovery points system, with 46 recoveries adding an extra 14 points to his overall score. Highly-owned, but for good reason.
Owned by 19%

Potential differential

Nacho (€5.0m) vs Chelsea
One of the stars of the quarter-final second legs from a #UCLfantasy perspective, the Real Madrid defender will be looking to carry that momentum into Matchday 11 as the Spanish giants lock horns with Chelsea. Nacho's total of nine Fantasy points in Real Madrid's 0-0 draw away to Liverpool was the joint-highest score of all players on Matchday 10. Most impressive about Nacho was his ball recoveries, 11 registered in total, which boosted his score by three extra points. At a price of just €5.0m, the centre-back represents fantastic value amongst the defenders remaining in the competition and is very much an enticing option, especially with home advantage in Real Madrid's favour in the opening match of the semi-finals.
Owned by 3%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Phil Foden (€7.3m) vs Paris
The other player alongside Nacho to register nine #UCLfantasy points on Matchday 10 was Manchester City's Foden. The 20-year-old has come into his own from an attacking perspective over the past few matchdays and has accumulated two goals, one assist, 12 ball recoveries and 24 #UCLfantasy points in his last three European appearances. Foden has continued his goalscoring form on the domestic front having found the net in Manchester City's last Premier League fixture against Aston Villa and has seen his #UCLfantasy ownership shoot up off the back of his performances. One of the form players still in the competition, Foden can be expected to play a key role going forward for Manchester City.
Owned by 19%

Potential differential

Ángel Di María (€8.9m) vs Manchester City
With one goal and three assists in this year's competition, Di María has been overshadowed by a handful of midfielders so far. However, the Argentinian star is still one of Mauricio Pochettino's most dangerous attacking outlets and has recorded an assist in each of his last two Paris games in all competitions. With the Manchester City defence likely to have their hands full dealing with the likes of Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, Di María may be afforded the space to utilise his creative talent and further attacking returns for the midfielder on Matchday 11 would not be a surprise. With an ownership of just 4%, any #UCLfantasy manager bringing Di María into the fold could gain some crucial points on their mini-league rivals.
Owned by 4%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Kylian Mbappé (€11.2m) vs Manchester City
Whilst he failed to get on the scoresheet in Paris's quarter-final second leg against Bayern, Mbappé remains comfortably the most dangerous forward option for #UCLfantasy managers heading into Matchday 11. The French international is the highest scoring Fantasy asset remaining in the UEFA Champions League with 59 points to his name. Mbappé has scored eight goals in the competition so far, with six of those coming in the knockout stage and all in his last five games. It is therefore no surprise at all that with an ownership of 38%, the Paris striker is the most popular #UCLfantasy asset and his owners will be expecting big things against Manchester City.
Owned by 38%

Potential differential

Mauro Icardi (€9.5m) vs Manchester City
Whilst all the attention is unsurprisingly centred around Mbappé when considering which forward will accrue the most #UCLfantasy points on Matchday 11, those looking for a different option may want to consider his Paris team-mate. Although Icardi did not feature in either of Paris's games against Bayern in the quarter-finals, boss Mauricio Pochettino has been given something to think about heading into their semi-final first leg following Icardi's hat-trick in a 5-0 Coupe de France win over Angers. Icardi also scored a last-minute winner from the bench in a 3-2 Ligue 1 triumph over St-Étienne and whilst his chances of starting against Manchester City on Matchday 11 are by no means certain, anyone looking for a potentially explosive differential may be tempted to roll the dice on Icardi in a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Owned by 0%