Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of the resumption of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League, UEFA.com mulls over a selection of highly-owned players heading into the round of 16 first legs for managers to consider on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation, alongside some lesser-owned assets with the potential to impress.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Yann Sommer (€4.5m) vs Atlético de Madrid (H)
A highly courted goalkeeper from the outset given Inter's clean-sheet prowess, Sommer's generous price tag has no doubt played a part in him being the most popular goalkeeper remaining in the competition. The experienced Swiss international recorded three clean sheets in five group games and is expected to play a crucial role for Inter in the knockout stage. Under Simone Inzaghi, Inter are difficult to score against and have not conceded in each of their last four games in all competitions at the time of writing.
Owned by 29%

Potential Differential

Gregor Kobel (€5.0m) vs PSV (A)
It is both a surprise and an opportunity that the highest-scoring Fantasy goalkeeper has an ownership of just 4%. Not only has Kobel kept three clean sheets for Dortmund, he also saved a penalty against Milan on Matchday 4. Since the resumption of the Bundesliga, Kobel has yet to concede, although he has been kept out recently by an ear infection. Should he return ahead of Matchday 7, and with 32 Fantasy points already, Kobel could prove a shrewd differential.
Owned by 4%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

João Cancelo (€6.1m) vs Napoli (A)
Among defenders only Mats Hummels of Dortmund boasts a higher tally than Cancelo's 37 points, the Barcelona full-back having produced a goal, an assist and two clean sheets in Group H to help make him one of the top three highest-owned Fantasy assets in all positions. Cancelo's offensive prowess means he is an ideal candidate to gain points through multiple avenues away to Napoli on Matchday 7, so his ownership is unlikely to drop anytime soon.
Owned by 45%

Potential Differential

Igor Zubeldia (€4.8m) vs Paris (A)
A key part of a Real Sociedad back line that shipped just two goals in the group stage, Zubeldia's low ownership should appeal to Fantasy manager searching for a point of difference in their Matchday 7 defence. The centre-back has scored three or more points on every matchday this season, his overall score of 36 bettered by just three other defenders still involved. While Real Sociedad face a difficult first-leg assignment in Paris, they have managed ten clean sheets in their last 13 fixtures. Even if La Real were to concede, Zulbeldia's ball recovery skills mean he could still emerge with a healthy Fantasy total.
Owned by 1%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Bukayo Saka (€9.8m) vs Porto (A)
Saka's recent domestic form, and his attacking returns in the group stage, make it no shock that a quarter of Fantasy managers now own the England international. The third highest-owned midfielder, Saka is also the third highest Fantasy scorer in his position with 43 points five Group B appearances. Five goals in his last five Premier League outings further underline his offensive prowess, which could prove crucial at Porto.
Owned by 25%

Potential Differential

Kevin De Bruyne (€10.5m) vs Copenhagen (A)
Despite missing Manchester City's entire group campaign due to injury, the fit-again De Bruyne is expected to be one of the first names on Pep Guardiola's team-sheet in the knockout stage. The creative fulcrum of City's midfield, De Bruyne's three Premier League appearances post-injury have yielded three assists and a goal. Fantasy bosses therefore have a golden opportunity to jump ahead of the curve and invest in the midfield talisman for Matchday 7, when City face a Copenhagen side who conceded eight goals over the course of the group stage.
Owned by 3%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Harry Kane (€10.1m) vs Lazio (A)
The focal point of a Bayern attack averaging two goals per game in this season's Champions League, Kane has four goals of his own, three assists and 41 Fantasy points, more than any other forward. It has been a brilliant individual campaign for Kane at his new club, finding the net 28 times in 27 appearances in all competitions. With his ownership now past 40%, not having the England international among your squad is a significant risk as Bayern visit Lazio.
Owned by 41%

Potential Differential

Evanilson (€7.2m) vs Arsenal (H)
Although Evanilson did not start any of Porto's first three group fixtures, the Brazilian forward has subsequently established himself as the main man up front ever since coming off the bench to score a hat-trick against Antwerp on Matchday 3. He heads into the knockout stage with 31 Fantasy points and has been in sparkling domestic form with seven goals in his last five matches ahead of the home meeting with Arsenal on Matchday 7.
Owned by 1%