Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials

Ahead of Matchday 10 of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League, UEFA.com weighs up some of the more popular assets and some possible differentials on #UCLFantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Ederson (€6.0m) vs Bayern (A)
Although Ederson's ownership is fairly modest, the Brazilian is the second most popular Fantasy asset among the eight goalkeepers set to feature on Matchday 10. Ederson recorded his second successive clean sheet in Manchester City's 3-0 first-leg win against Bayern and, though he is likely to be a busy man in Munich, four clean sheets in five European appearances justifies his Fantasy popularity.
Owned by 15%

Potential Differential

Yann Sommer (€4.6m) vs Manchester City (H)
Despite conceding three times on Matchday 9, Sommer warrants significant credit for his performance which included six saves, helping him to three Fantasy points to take him to 17 in three appearances for Bayern. The Swiss international represents one of the cheaper goalkeeping options and, even accounting for Manchester City's attacking potency, his shot-saving ability and the fact that Bayern are yet to concede a home Champions League goal this season mean he could continue to pick up points.
Owned by 3%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Alejandro Grimaldo (€5.4m) vs Inter (A)
The Benfica defender gained just one point on Matchday 9, his lowest Fantasy score of the season. This is unlikely to temper the optimism of his owners, as the 27-year-old has two goals, three assists and 40 ball recoveries to his name, with only Giovanni Di Lorenzo among defenders having picked up more than Grimaldo's 60 Fantasy points.
Owned by 24%

Potential Differential

Matteo Darmian (€4.3m) vs Benfica (H)
Given Inter's defensive prowess in the knockout stage so far, Fantasy managers may be searching for a route into their back line for Matchday 10. Capable of playing as part of the back three or at wing-back, Darmian offers an ideal solution and at a bargain price. He has started Inter's last four European fixtures, keeping clean sheets in the most recent three to help him to 21 Fantasy points in that time.
Owned by 1%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (€5.9m) vs Milan (H)
The Georgian's Fantasy popularity comes as no surprise given his low price and the attacking threat he provides. A goal down after the first leg, Napoli will surely need Kvaratskhelia to play a key role in any potential comeback with six attacking returns to his name in this season's Champions League. Only Vinícius Júnior, the overall Fantasy top scorer this season, has a higher ownership among midfielders as it stands.
Owned by 29%

Potential Differential

Bernardo Silva (€8.3m) vs Bayern (A)
One of the standout performers on Matchday 9, the Manchester City midfielder scored one goal and set up another against Bayern. That helped the Portuguese international to 11 Fantasy points, one of just five players to reach double figures in the quarter-final first legs. Choosing from City's midfield is always difficult, but Bernardo has started all three of his side's fixtures in the knockout stage so far.
Owned by 6%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Karim Benzema (€10.8m) vs Chelsea (A)
Finding a more reliable forward at this stage of the Champions League than Benzema would be a tall order, the French striker's opening goal laying the foundations for Real Madrid's first-leg victory against Chelsea. Benzema's seven Fantasy points from that match means he now boasts 29 since the start of the knockout stage, and Matchday 10 takes him back to the ground where he scored a hat-trick against the same opposition in last season's quarter-finals.
Owned by 25%

Potential Differential

Olivier Giroud (€8.3m) vs Napoli (A)
Although he has yet to find the net in the knockout stage, Giroud's importance to a Milan side who go into Matchday 10 with a one-goal aggregate lead against Napoli cannot be understated. The striker has started every Champions League fixture for the seven-time European champions this season, picking up four goals, two assists and 42 Fantasy points, with 19 of those points registered on Matchday 6 against Salzburg.
Owned by 4%