Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Article summary
Thibaut Courtois or Gerónimo Rulli? Trent Alexander-Arnold or John Stones? Riyad Mahrez or Sadio Mané? Karim Benzema or Rodrygo? UEFA.com considers the choices.
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As the UEFA Champions League reaches the semi-final first-leg stage, UEFA.com runs the rule over some players proving highly popular as well as those lesser-owned assets who could spring a surprise on Matchday 11 for managers on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.
GOALKEEPERS
Popular Pick
Thibaut Courtois (€6.7m) vs Manchester City (A)
Despite failing to keep a clean sheet across Real Madrid's two-legged quarter-final triumph against Chelsea, Courtois remains the most popular goalkeeping asset ahead of Matchday 11, when his side travel to Manchester City away from home. Although the Belgian has not kept a clean sheet in the UEFA Champions League since Matchday 7, Courtois has accrued more points than any other keeper remaining in the competition. Most impressive from a #UCLfantasy point of view are the Madrid No1's 43 saves, accounting for 11 of his 50 points accrued so far, a tally likely to increase in Manchester.
Owned by 15%
Potential Differential
Gerónimo Rulli (€5.2m) vs Liverpool (A)
The cheapest among the four goalkeepers likely to start in the semi-final first legs but the Villarreal stopper is also the lowest-owned among #UCLfantasy managers. Like Courtois, Rulli is expected to very busy against Liverpool at Anfield, who will be desperate to take a first-leg lead with them to Spain. However, the Argentinian has proven his worth across the knockout stage, gaining clean sheets away to Juventus and at home against Bayern respectively in the knockout stage already and has accumulated 20 Fantasy points over the last three matchdays.
Owned by 5%
DEFENDERS
Popular Pick
Trent Alexander-Arnold (€6.9m) vs Villarreal (H)
#UCLfantasy managers are understandably not worried about Alexander-Arnold's absence for Liverpool on Matchday 10 based on his vast ownership, with the right-back currently in over a third of teams. The attacking defender was given a rest by Jürgen Klopp for the quarter-final second leg amid a busy domestic and European schedule, but is expected to come back into the starting line-up for the first leg at home to Villarreal. The England international has picked up 16 Fantasy points across his last three appearances and offers potential for points from both defensive and offensive returns.
Owned by 37%
Potential Differential
John Stones (€5.8m) vs Real Madrid (H)
Manchester City are firmly established as the strongest side defensively over the course of the UEFA Champions League knockout stage having not conceded a single goal across their round of 16 and quarter-final ties. Stones started in all four of those matches, most recently playing a starring role in City's 0-0 draw at Atlético on Matchday 11, bringing him ten points including the Player of the Match award. Having accumulated 31 #UCLfantasy across the last four matchdays, the centre-back represents an enticing differential pick assuming he recovers from a minor knock.
Owned by 3%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular Pick
Riyad Mahrez (€9.7m) vs Real Madrid (H)
Despite the plethora of midfield options at Pep Guardiola's disposal, Mahrez has started all but one of Manchester City's ten UEFA Champions League games so far this season. Although his last significant #UCLfantasy haul came on Matchday 7 when he recorded a goal and assist against Sporting CP, the Algerian managed a goal and an assist in his most recent Premier League appearance and could play a defining role at home to Real Madrid. With that in mind, Mahrez's #UCLfantasy ownership remains high with only Mohamed Salah boasting more owners among midfielders.
Owned by 16%
Potential Differential
Sadio Mané (€10.5m) vs Villarreal (H)
Although a large proportion of #UCLfantasy managers will have their eyes on Salah, Liverpool club-mate Mané may well prove just as profitable given his excellent recent form. The 30-year-old has five goals in his last four starts for Liverpool in all competitions and is well placed to add to that in the semi-finals given Liverpool scored three goals in both legs of their quarter-final against Benfica. When taking into account the small pool of players available come this stage of the competition, it makes Mané and his unexpectedly low ownership even more appealing to #UCLfantasy managers looking to gain an advantage over their mini-league rivals.
Owned by 4%
FORWARDS
Popular Pick
Karim Benzema (€10.6m) vs Manchester City (A)
It will come as no surprise that Benzema is now established as the highest-owned forward still involved in the competition following the elimination of Bayern's Robert Lewandowski in the quarter-finals. Successive UEFA Champions League hat-tricks was followed by the decisive goal against reigning champions Chelsea to take Madrid into the semi-finals. With 40 points to his name across the last three matchdays, Benzema will be looking to add to his seven goals already in the knockout stage this season at Manchester City as he also looks to overhaul Lewandowski as top scorer.
Owned by 29%
Potential Differential
Rodrygo (€8.0m) vs Manchester City (A)
Whilst Benzema remains a key Fantasy asset, fellow Real Madrid forward Rodrygo also has plenty of potential. The Brazilian did not start on Matchday 10 but came off the bench to score the crucial equaliser to send their quarter-final tie against Chelsea into extra time. Whilst his game-time may be limited once again on Matchday 11, Rodrygo has also found the net in the Liga since that Chelsea tie and, with a limited pool of options available among forwards, #UCLfantasy managers should consider picking up the 21-year-old, particularly as the transfer deadline comes after Madrid's starting line-up at Manchester City has been revealed.
Owned by 1%
