UCL Fantasy Football Matchday 12: What the numbers say

Predicting which Fantasy players are going to perform on a given matchday is 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 main parameters used in our projections.

The top projected players for each position for Matchday 12 are given below. As ever, check latest team news and predicted line-ups before making your selection.

GOALKEEPERS

The projected scores for the four goalkeepers are naturally lower than usual, mainly because there wasn't a clean sheet in sight on Matchday 11. The algorithm maintains that Edouard Mendy is the likeliest to put that right on Matchday 12 though, and that is not surprising given that he has recorded seven shut-outs in the UEFA Champions League this season while Chelsea have been incredibly solid at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since Thomas Tuchel took charge.

Both Thibaut Courtois and Ederson outscored Mendy by a single point in the first legs though, courtesy of a save point each, and the Manchester City stopper in particular looks appealing on Matchday 12 as the Premier League side know a clean sheet – of which they have recorded seven in the competition this season – will see them progress.

DEFENDERS

After sitting out Matchday 10 due to injury, Paris's Marquinhos returned to the fold in the semi-final first leg and duly scored his third goal of the UEFA Champions League campaign, making him the highest scoring #UCLfantasy defender still active with 57 points. His obvious threat from set-pieces – as well as the fact he has made more ball recoveries than any other defender still featuring in the competition – is reflected in his projected score, with the Brazilian jumping into the top five defenders ahead of Matchday 12.

Due to their aforementioned defensive solidity at home, Chelsea pair Antonio Rüdiger, who assisted Christian Pulišić's goal on Matchday 11, and Ben Chilwell, with three goals and seven assists in all competitions to his name this season, lead the way and are set to be heavily backed by #UCLfantasy managers. John Stones is the pick of the bunch from Manchester City's back line. Although yet to score in Europe this season, the England international has struck five times on the domestic front, while he has made six ball recoveries in each of his last two UEFA Champions League games.

Injuries have forced Zinédine Zidane to chop and change the Real Madrid defence frequently this season but Nacho has been a steady presence in recent times having started seven of the last eight UEFA Champions League games. #UCLfantasy veterans will be keeping a close eye on team news though, as Sergio Ramos will be a popular choice should the skipper recover from injury in time.

MIDFIELDERS

Of the ten goals Manchester City have scored in the knockout stage, nine of those have come from players categorised as midfielders in #UCLfantasy and that explains the fact that three City assets feature in the top five for the semi-final second legs. Kevin De Bruyne has provided attacking returns in five of his six UEFA Champions League appearances this season and looks an essential addition to any Fantasy squad, while fellow Matchday 11 scorer Riyad Mahrez and the increasingly influential Phil Foden have accumulated five goals and four assists between them in the competition.

Ángel Di María, who provided the assist for Paris's goal in the first leg, is a man in form right now and the ex-Manchester United player will be eager to make an impact as he returns to the city on Matchday 12. The Argentinian is up to four assists for the season in the UEFA Champions League now, joint second behind eliminated Juventus star Juan Cuadrado.

Jorginho owners will have been left disappointed with his two-point return on Matchday 11 but keeping faith could be the way to go as the Italian international will step up should Chelsea win a penalty in the second leg, while only Casemiro has logged more ball recoveries from the players remaining in the competition.

FORWARDS

Karim Benzema was the only striker who found the net last time out as the Frenchman drew level with Raúl González on the list of all-time UEFA Champions League top scorers. Paris pair Kylian Mbappé and Neymar were kept at bay by Manchester City in the first leg but their incredible output throughout the competition – 14 goals and six assists between them – keep them at the top of the projections and owners will be hoping they have better luck on Matchday 12.

Whether or not Thomas Tuchel backs Timo Werner to lead the Chelsea line again remains to be seen but the German will be a differential option if so, while Mauro Icardi represents the ultimate punt. Maurizio Pochettino could well turn to the Argentinian striker if his side are in need of a goal late in the game and his recent strike-rate of six goals in his last four games shows that he could be ready to take that chance.