Champions League Fantasy: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of Matchday 6, UEFA.com examines a number of players currently commanding a large ownership as well as those picks who could spring a surprise in this final round of group stage fixtures on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Gianluigi Donnarumma (€6.2m) vs Club Brugge (H)
With Paris Saint-Germain having already booked their place in the knockout stage, Donnarumma will be hoping to make his third appearance in the group stage against eliminated Club Brugge on Matchday 6. The UEFA EURO 2020 Player of the Tournament impressed in the two Group A fixtures in which he has already featured, keeping a clean sheet against Manchester City and saving a penalty in Leipzig on Matchday 4, gaining 14 Fantasy points across both those games. Donnarumma is currently the third highest-owned goalkeeper among #UCLfantasy managers, who have the benefit of being able to swap out the Italian should he not start the early kick-off on Matchday 6.
Owned by 10%

Potential Differential

Odisseas Vlachodimos (€5.1m) vs Dynamo Kyiv (H)
Benfica's Vlachodimos has made a mockery of his low ownership across the group stage so far and heads into Matchday 6 as the highest-scoring goalkeeper on #UCLfantasy with three clean sheets, a penalty save, 19 shot saves and 27 points. Jorge Jesus' side know three points against bottom side Dynamo Kyiv gives them a chance of finishing as Group E runners-up and Vlachodimos will be aiming to shut out opponents who have scored just one goal in their five games so far, the joint lowest tally in the group stage.
Owned by 3%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

João Cancelo (€6.4m) vs Leipzig (A)
Having already racked up 41 Fantasy points from five matches, including three double-figure hauls, it is no surprise that Cancelo has proven so popular in the #UCLfantasy community as one of only three defenders to command an ownership of over 20%. No defender has accrued more points than the Portuguese full-back, whose attacking inclinations have helped him to two goals and three assists for Manchester City, with another ten Fantasy points coming from his 33 ball recoveries. Cancelo has started all five of his side's Group A fixtures, and should he be afforded a rest on Matchday 6 then, like Donnarumma, #UCLfantasy managers will have the advantage of being able to act before the transfer deadline.
Owned by 21%

Potential Differential

Nicolás Otamendi (€5.0m) vs Dynamo Kyiv (H)
Having been a rock at the heart of Benfica's defence across the group stage, Otamendi will lead the attempts to shut out a low-scoring Dynamo side, as the Portuguese giants successfully did on Matchday 1 in Ukraine. The experienced centre-back has been named Player of the Match in two of his four Group E appearances and his tally of 37 ball recoveries is bettered by just three other defenders. Otamendi also has the potential to contribute at the opposite end of the field from set pieces, making him an enticing option for those #UCLfantasy managers searching for a differential defender on Matchday 6.
Owned by 4%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Christopher Nkunku (€8.2m) vs Manchester City (A)
Although the knockout stage is now beyond Leipzig's reach, they still have plenty to play for with three points at home against Manchester City on Matchday 6 sure to secure their place in the UEFA Europa League. If the German outfit are to triumph then Nkunku will likely play a key role as he has enjoyed a fantastic group stage campaign in front of goal, finding the net seven times. Nkunku is the highest points scorer in #UCLfantasy going into this final round of group stage fixtures and his large ownership will be hoping for one last flourish here.
Owned by 15%

Potential Differential

Mario Pašalić (€7.9m) vs Villarreal (H)
Attacking midfielder Pašalić has been in excellent domestic form for Atalanta having scored five goals, including a hat-trick, across his last three Serie A games at the time of writing. Such form should see the Croatian make his fourth UEFA Champions League start of the season against Villarreal and with an attacking return in two of his three previous starts, Pašalić boasts real potential from a #UCLfantasy point of view, especially for those managers looking for an edge on their mini-league rivals.
Owned by 0%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Erling Haaland (€11.0m) vs Beşiktaş (H)
Back on the pitch and back in the goals. It took Haaland just seven minutes after coming off the bench to score for Dortmund in their Bundesliga win against Wolfsburg, having been sidelined by a hip injury since 19 October. Dortmund head coach Marco Rose may well use their Matchday 6 fixture at home to Beşiktaş as an opportunity to build Haaland's fitness back up and whether the Norwegian starts or comes off the bench, he will be expected to find the net as he did in the reverse fixture between the teams.
Owned by 25%

Potential Differential

Jonathan David (€7.8m) vs Wolfsburg (A)
Wins on both Matchday 4 and Matchday 5 have put reigning French champions LOSC Lille on the brink of qualification from Group G. Key to their success has been 21-year-old forward Jonathan David, who scored in both games and gained 12 Fantasy points in the process. The Canadian international has been in excellent form in all competitions so far this season and with Matchday 6 opponents Wolfsburg needing victory to reach the knockout stage, should get plenty of space to exploit. Those #UCLfantasy managers searching for an under-the-radar forward should seriously consider him.
Owned by 0%