Champions League Fantasy Football: Defenders

UEFA.com shines a light on some defenders who may prove enticing #UCLfantasy selections for Matchday 5.

The offensive prowess of Trent Alexander-Arnold (€6.4m) was firmly on show on Matchday 4, the right-back providing the assist for both of Liverpool's goals in their victory against Atlético. This helped Alexander-Arnold collect 14 Fantasy points with a clean sheet and six ball recoveries also contributing to the biggest score by a defender on Matchday 4. Liverpool host Porto on Matchday 5 and should Alexander-Arnold feature, then his owners will be confident of another high points total.

However, with Liverpool having already sealed first place in Group B, the England international runs the risk of being rested. A cheaper alternative in the Reds defence could be Kostas Tsimikas (€4.5m), who has impressed when called upon this season, not least in the home win against Atlético.

In his fourth consecutive start for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, defender Andreas Christensen (€5.6m) gained seven Fantasy points last time out as the holders won 1-0 at Malmö. The Danish centre-back has picked up 33 #UCLfantasy points so far – the third most of any defender – and has been an ever present in a team that has conceded the least number of goals in the competition.

Juventus are the only team to have scored against the Blues, winning 1-0 in Turin on Matchday 2, with the teams locking horns again on Matchday 5. Another Chelsea player well worth consideration is captain César Azpilicueta (€5.5m), who has also started all four group games so far, acquiring 26 Fantasy points.

Although Chelsea have conceded one less goal than Bayern over the course of the group stage, the German champions also have three shut-outs to their name. After a disappointing Matchday 4 from a defensive perspective, conceding twice in a 5-2 victory over Benfica, the Bayern defence will be keen to keep Matchday 5 opponents Dynamo Kyiv at bay. Whilst he commands a premium #UCLfantasy price tag, Joshua Kimmich (€6.7m) is an attractive Fantasy option due to his more advanced position , while left-back Alphonso Davies (€6.1m) accumulated seven #UCLfantasy points on Matchday 4 after picking up both an assist and six ball recoveries.

Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 2 and will be keen to wrap up progress at their French opponents' expense next time out. Pep Guardiola's side are yet to keep a clean sheet in the group stage and face a tough task shutting out the visitors in Manchester, but it would still be remiss not to highlight João Cancelo (€6.3m). The Portuguese full-back recorded three assists, six ball recoveries and 13 Fantasy points against Club Brugge on Matchday 4, his second successive 13-point score, and is now the highest scoring defender in #UCLfantasy.