Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials

As the countdown continues to the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League semi-finals, UEFA.com eyes up the most popular assets going into Matchday 11, as well as a few differential options on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Thibaut Courtois (€5.9m) vs Manchester City (H)
With a current ownership percentage of over 40%, Courtois is by far the highest-owned goalkeeper on Fantasy, and is also in fine recent form in the Champions League. Each of the Belgian's last three appearances have brought a clean sheet, his 14 saves helping him to 22 Fantasy points across those three matchdays. Real Madrid have home advantage on Matchday 11 against Manchester City and are yet to concede at the Santiago Bernabéu in this season's knockout stage.
Owned by 41%

Potential Differential

Mike Maignan (€5.4m) vs Inter (H)
When it comes to goalkeeping consistency, Fantasy managers should look no further than Maignan, who has continuously delivered points since returning to the Milan side after injury. The 27-year-old has recovered three consecutive seven-point scores, most recently saving a penalty on Matchday 11 to help eliminate Napoli. Maignan has been a huge factor in the Rossoneri's progress to the semi-finals and as the lowest-owned starting goalkeeper, could prove a key point of difference against Inter.
Owned by 6%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Rúben Dias (€5.7m) vs Real Madrid (A)
Almost a quarter of Fantasy squads contain Manchester City centre-back Dias, an ever-present in Pep Guardiola's side whose Fantasy returns have been consistently strong throughout the season. Only Inter's Alessandro Bastoni among defenders boasts a higher score than Dias' 57 points going into the semi-finals, the Portuguese international having accumulated 20 points since Matchday 8. The ball recovery system has been a strong source of points for Dias, with his 42 recoveries the joint-fourth highest of all players still involved.
Owned by 23%

Potential Differential

Fikayo Tomori (€5.0m) vs Inter (H)
No defender remaining in the competition has gained more ball recoveries than Milan's Tomori, whose total of 47 is matched by just one other player in all positions. Despite sitting out Matchday 7, Tomori has been a central figure for a Milan back line who have conceded just once in their four knockout games, the Englishman running up 21 Fantasy points over the last three matchdays thanks to two clean sheets, 15 ball recoveries and a Player of the Match award.
Owned by 3%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Vinícius Júnior (€10.3m) vs Manchester City (H)
The Brazilian's popularity is little surprise given his record over the course of the 2022/23 Champions League campaign. All nine of his starts in this season's competition have yielded at least one attacking return and of his 82 points, over half have come during the knockout stage. Real Madrid may face a considerable semi-final challenge in the shape of Manchester City, but Vinícius Júnior has already picked up two goals and five assists against English opposition this season.
Owned by 46%

Potential Differential

Nicolò Barella (€6.8m) vs Milan (A)
One of Inter's quarter-final stars, Barella showed his attacking capabilities by finding the net in both legs of the 5-3 aggregate victory against Benfica, delivering consecutive eight-point scores. The midfielder has maintained that attacking form on the domestic front, setting up the goal that sent Inter into the Coppa Italia final. Midfield has always been a lucrative position in terms of Fantasy returns, so a differential would be a game-changer for any Fantasy manager. Barella could be that player.
Owned by 5%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Erling Haaland (€11.2m) vs Real Madrid (A)
No player is owned by more Fantasy managers than Haaland, no shock given his competition-leading 12 goals this season. Since Manchester City booked their place in the semi-finals and a tie with Real Madrid, Haaland has reached 50 goals for 2022/23 in all competitions and the Norwegian – who has scored in his last three Champions League games, seven goals in all – has already picked up 38 Fantasy points from Matchday 8 onwards.
Owned by 64%

Potential Differential

Lautaro Martínez (€8.5m) vs Milan (A)
An in-form forward is rarely available as a differential at this stage of the competition, but four goals in his last four appearances in all competitions means Inter's Martínez certainly falls into that category. The Argentinian also has six goals in his last eight appearances against Milan, including two already this season.
Owned by 5%