Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials

UEFA.com takes a look at some highly-owned #UCLfantasy assets ahead of Matchday 5, as well as some differential options who have the potential to reward managers on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Ederson (€6.0m) vs Dortmund (A)
Injuries to both Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer could rule both goalkeepers out of Matchday 5. Should that be the case, the already healthy #UCLfantasy ownership of Manchester City's Ederson could grow further ahead of the trip to Dortmund. On the back of consecutive shut-outs against Copenhagen, the Brazilian has conceded just one goal in the group stage so far and is the joint third highest-scoring goalkeeper from a Fantasy point of view.
Owned by 11%

Potential Differential

André Onana (€5.0m) vs Plzeň (H)
Onana's two clean sheets from a possible four in Group C is a fairly modest number, but the Inter goalkeeper has still accrued a sizeable score of 19 Fantasy points. This is largely due to his number of saves, Onana's eight stops on Matchday 4 against Barcelona earning him a total of three points despite conceding three goals. Onana's 22 saves overall have contributed to eight of his 19 points, and with a home fixture against Plzeň up next, a side Inter defeated 0-2 away from home on Matchday 2, Onana ticks the right boxes for those searching for a differential goalkeeper.
Owned by 4%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Reinildo (€4.5m) vs Leverkusen (H)
Despite Atlético's unusually leaky defence in this season's UEFA Champions League, 28-year-old Reinildo has remained a popular Fantasy asset with his affordable price likely a key factor. Those who have stuck with the versatile defender will have been delighted with his Matchday 4 score of eight points as Atlético registered, their first clean sheet of the 2022/23 group stage in a 0-0 draw with Club Brugge. Reinildo has 18 Fantasy points across the last three matchdays and his ownership is only likely to rise further ahead of a Matchday 5 contest with Leverkusen.
Owned by 21%

Potential Differential

Denis Odoi (€4.3m) vs Porto (H)
With Club Brugge yet to concede a goal in the competition, a case could be made for any of their starting defenders right now. However, with a miserly ownership and incredibly cheap price tag, Odoi stands out in particular. Consistency has been key for Odoi, who boasts 27 Fantasy points, including three seven-point scores. Club Brugge have already secured a place in the knockout stage, but will surely have their eye on becoming the first side to go through the entire group stage without conceding a goal, so expect them to prioritise defensive stability once again on Matchday 5 against Porto.
Owned by 2%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Vinícius Júnior (€10.0m) vs Leipzig (A)
Although Vinícius Júnior picked up just one Fantasy point on Matchday 4 after coming on as a second-half substitute, he remains a highly owned midfielder. The Brazilian's three UEFA Champions League starts this season have yielded two goals, one assist and 22 Fantasy points, six of those coming against Matchday 5 opponents Leipzig. However, owners of the 22-year-old will need to be wary that Carlo Ancelotti could once again choose to rest him with Real Madrid's place in the knockout stage already secure.
Owned by 31%

Potential Differential

Heung-Min Son (€10.5m) vs Sporting CP (H)
Whilst Son's premium price makes him a risky Fantasy investment, Matchday 4 proved the rewards could be significant for those willing to take the plunge. The attacking midfielder played a key role in Tottenham's vital 3-2 victory over Frankfurt, scoring twice and earning the Player of the Match award, accumulating 15 Fantasy points. All five of Son's goals in all competitions this season have come at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he will take to the field again on Matchday 5 in a crucial showdown with Sporting CP, making him worthy of serious consideration for Fantasy bosses with money to spare.
Owned by 2%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Robert Lewandowski (€11.2m) vs Bayern (H)
Following two consecutive group games without a goal, Lewandowski was back on the scoresheet with a late double as Barcelona drew 3-3 with Inter. With their knockout hopes hanging by a thread, Barcelona must beat Matchday 5 opponents Bayern and motivation could not be higher for Lewandowski, who failed to gain an attacking return against his old club in the reverse fixture on Matchday 2. Many managers will be pinning their hopes on another big points haul for the Pole, who has five goals and 32 Fantasy points so far in Group C, justifying his status as the third highest-owned forward.
Owned by 36%

Potential Differential

Alexis Sánchez (€6.4m) vs Frankfurt (A)
A pair of victories over Sporting CP have parachuted Marseille firmly into the mix for qualification, and they will travel to Frankfurt on Matchday 5 full of confidence. Key to their recent success has been the form of Sánchez, who scored in both victories against Sporting. With an assist on Matchday 3, not to mention a Player of the Award on Matchday 4, the Chilean garnered a total of 19 Fantasy points across those two games, making him a lesser-owned forward who could provide a point of difference for Fantasy managers in their respective mini-leagues.
Owned by 1%