Champions League Fantasy: Differentials

As #UCLfantasy managers continue to search for the right players to build their perfect squad, UEFA.com picks out a number of lesser owned options in all four positions who may be set to spring a surprise.

GOALKEEPERS

Liverpool's Alisson Becker (€6.0m) has started the season in fine form having kept two clean sheets in the Reds' opening three Premier League fixtures. With centre-back Virgil van Dijk back after missing the entirety of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League through injury, the Brazilian stopper will be looking to improve on the five clean sheets he recorded in last season’s competition, which bodes well for his surprisingly low #UCLfantasy ownership of just 5%.

Inter lifted their first Serie A title since 2010 last season with Samir Handanović (€5.5m) playing a huge part in their success. The club captain missed just one of the Nerazzurri's 38 league fixtures in which they conceded just 35 goals, the least of all 20 Serie A sides. Such defensive stability makes the 2%-owned Slovenian a shrewd option for #UCLfantasy managers looking for a differential goalkeeper.

Those looking for a cheaper option should cast their eye over Koen Casteels (€5.0m), who at 0% ownership is unlikely to be bettered in the differential stakes. Wolfsburg were another team to shine defensively last season, conceding only 37 goals in 34 Bundesliga games, the second best record in the division. Under new head coach Mark van Bommel, they look to have maintained such solidarity with Casteels having already kept two clean sheets from his first three league matches.

Other differential choices: Yassine Bounou (€5.0m), Juan Musso (€4.5m), Maarten Stekelenburg (€4.5m)

DEFENDERS

One of the stars to emerge from UEFA EURO 2020 was Joakim Mæhle (€5.0m), who shone in his attacking wing-back role, scoring twice and providing an assist as Denmark reached the semi-finals. Mæhle has carried his form into the new campaign, picking up another goal and assist for his country in their win against Scotland on 1 September. Playing for an attacking Atalanta side, Mæhle could flourish and with just a 2% ownership, stands out as a potentially golden differential.

When taking into account the usual reliability of Dortmund's Thomas Meunier (€5.0m) to secure a healthy number of Fantasy points each season, it is something of a surprise to see the Belgian also currently owned by just 2% of #UCLfantasy managers. Three clean sheets, one assist and 27 ball recoveries helped Meunier accumulate 32 points in 2020/21.

Bargain hunters may want to consider Noussair Mazraoui (€4.5m) with the 23-year-old having already recorded a goal and two assists for Ajax in the Eredivisie. Owned by just 1%, picking him up early on may prove a masterstroke.

Other differential choices: Jordi Alba (€6.0m), Harry Maguire (€5.5m), Jérôme Roussillon (€4.0m)

MIDFIELDERS

In just six UEFA Champions League appearances for runners-up Manchester City last season, Ferran Torres (€6.0m) accumulated four goals and 35 #UCLfantasy points. Pep Guardiola has put faith in the young Spaniard so far this season and starts in City's first three Premier League games indicates that he could play a more prominent role this time around. Torres bagged two goals and an assist playing as a false nine in City’s 5-0 win over Arsenal in August and could well make a mockery of his 4% ownership come the start of #UCLfantasy.

Injury meant Dominik Szoboszlai (€7.0m) didn't feature for Leipzig last season after joining in January. The 20-year-old had impressed for Salzburg in the group stage with two goals, 13 ball recoveries and 26 Fantasy points. Having now recovered from injury, 2% of Fantasy managers have already backed Szoboszlai to play a leading role for Leipzig, the Hungarian having recently showed his attacking capabilities with a brace against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

Other differential choices: Sadio Mané (€10.0m), Serge Gnabry (€10.0m), Jamal Musiala (€6.5m)

FORWARDS

With so many appealing #UCLfantasy striking options, one player who appears to have gone under the radar is Neymar (€10.5m). With Paris Saint-Germain having recruited so many high-profile names this summer, Neymar's ownership currently stands at just 10%, somewhat low for a player who racked up six goals, three assists and 54 Fantasy points last season. Whilst many managers will prioritise Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé among Paris players, Neymar could emerge as a superior Fantasy option.

With Romelu Lukaku having departed from Chelsea, the onus will fall on former strike partner Lautaro Martínez (€10.0m) to provide the bulk of Inter's goals in this year's UEFA Champions League. The Argentinian scored 19 times in all competitions last season and has already got off the mark for the Italian champions in Serie A. Martínez managed only one goal and one assist ain Europe in 2020/21 and although his premium price partly explains why his ownership stands at just 1%, he represents a high risk/high reward investment.

For those #UCLfantasy managers looking for a cheaper forward option with a limited ownership, Canadian striker Cyle Larin (€7.0m) could prove the ideal option. The 26-year-old played a starring role for Beşiktaş in 2020/21, scoring 23 goals in all competitions and helping his side secure a dramatic Turkish Super Lig title on goal difference. A powerful yet pacy forward, Larin has already found the net for Beşiktaş this season and will be determined to make his mark in Europe.

Other differential choices: Andre Silva (€9.0m), Burak Yılmaz (€8.0m), Wout Weghorst (€8.0m)