Champions League Fantasy Football: Defenders

As we turn our attention to Matchday 3, UEFA.com casts an eye over the top-performing defenders so far this season on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

As it stands, João Cancelo (€6.6m) has more than justified his status as the highest owned defender, having accrued 21 points after two matchdays. As he did last season, Cancelo has proved an extremely profitable asset going forward, backing up his two assists on Matchday 1 by setting up another goal in Manchester City's Matchday 2 victory against Dortmund while his 14 ball recoveries so far further underline the multiple avenues in which the full-back gains Fantasy points. It would be no surprise to see this continue on Matchday 3 as the Group G leaders host Copenhagen.

Cancelo is, however, third among point-scoring defenders. Abakar Sylla (€4.7m) has a goal, two clean sheets and 23 points as Club Brugge followed their 1-0 home triumph against Leverkusen with a resounding 4-0 win at Porto. Sylla has been excellent value for money from a #UCLfantasy perspective and with home advantage in their favour, will be aiming to record a third consecutive clean sheet against Atlético.

Despite failing to keep a clean sheet on Matchday 2, Benfica full-back Alejandro Grimaldo (€5.2m) remains not only the highest #UCLfantasy points scorer among defenders, but also the top scorer in all positions. Benfica came from behind to defeat Juventus in Italy, Grimaldo picking up four Fantasy points thanks largely to his eight ball recoveries. Given the offensive potency of Matchday 3 opponents Paris, the ball recovery system may prove Grimaldo's best avenue towards further points, although a goal and an assist on Matchday 1 showed his attacking threat.

Bayern are one of just four clubs yet to concede a goal in this season's group stage, Lucas Hernández (€5.1m) playing a key part in their defensive stability. Having started in 2-0 victories against both Inter and Barcelona respectively, Hernández found the net against the latter, helping him to a Matchday 2 score of 13 points, the highest among defenders. Matchday 3 visitors Plzeň are yet to score, enhancing Hernandez's appeal, while those looking to double up on Bayern’s defence should also consider flying full-back Alphonso Davies (€5.5m), who has already accumulated 15 points.

Also still to concede are Sporting CP, who top Group D after beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in Germany and Tottenham 2-0 in Portugal. Pedro Porro (€5.2m) has been a standout performer at both ends of the pitch and, with Matchday 3 opponents Marseille having lost each of their two Group D fixtures without scoring, he offers an intreresting differential potential.