Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second legs UEFA.com casts a spotlight on a group of players with sizeable ownership percentages, along with a number who have differential appeal for Matchday 8 on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Marc-André ter Stegen (€5.5m) vs Napoli (H)
One of just three goalkeepers to be owned by more than 20% of Fantasy managers, Ter Stegen could have a big role to play for Barcelona with their round of 16 tie against Napoli finely poised at 1-1. The German boasts two clean sheets in five Champions League appearances in 2023/24, and another at home the Italian champions on Matchday 8 would give the Spanish side an excellent chance of progression.
Owned by 22%

Potential Differential

Andriy Lunin (€4.6m) vs Leipzig (H)
The top-scoring goalkeeper on Matchday 7, differential option Lunin makes a huge claim for inclusion in any Fantasy squad for Matchday 8. The 25-year-old recorded nine saves in Real Madrid's first-leg victory and his nine-point return was comfortably the highest of any goalkeeper. Although Lunin has featured just three times for Real Madrid in this season's Champions League, he has already recorded 22 points.
Owned by 5%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Achraf Hakimi (€6.1m) vs Real Sociedad (A)
A popular Fantasy defender, Hakimi was part of a Paris back line who successfully shut out Real Sociedad in their first leg. Seven ball recoveries and a clean sheet helped Hakimi to eight Fantasy points – his second highest total of the season so far. The attacking full-back offers the potential of points through multiple avenues and his already large ownership is likely to rise further ahead of the Matchday 8 transfer deadline.
Owned by 31%

Potential Differential

Matteo Darmian (€4.3m) vs Atlético de Madrid (A)
Any defender priced at just €4.3m who commands a starting place within a rock-solid Inter back line offers excellent Fantasy value. The experienced Darmian has started the Nerazzurri's last four Champions League fixtures, accruing 21 points, and is likely to play a central role as his side travel to Atlético de Madrid aiming to defend a slender 1-0 advantage.
Owned by 4%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Jude Bellingham (€8.0m) vs Leipzig (H)
Despite missing Real Madrid's victory at Leipzig through injury, many Fantasy bosses have chosen to hold on to Bellingham, who remains the highest-owned midfielder. Having averaged ten points per appearance across the group stage with four goals, three assists and three Player of the Match awards, that may be understandable although the England international remains a serious doubt for Matchday 8 due to an ankle sprain.
Owned by 60%

Potential Differential

Galeno (€7.0m) vs Arsenal (A)
Those looking for a differential in midfield could be given a rare opportunity in the form of Galeno, whose ownership percentage remains in single figures despite no player having accumulated more points than the Brazilian. It was his magnificent added-time strike that gave Porto a one-goal advantage to take to Arsenal on Matchday 8, a strike that, together with the Player of the Match award, helped Galeno pick up 12 points, his third double-figure score of the season.
Owned by 8%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Erling Haaland (€11.7m) vs Copenhagen (H) 
With a 3-1 aggregate lead, Manchester City's progression is not yet assured against a resilient Copenhagen side, who managed to shut out Harry Kane's Bayern on their travels in the Champions League group stage. Should Haaland feature on Matchday 8, either from the start or off the bench, the Norwegian will look to add to his three goals, one assist and 25 points in home group games this season and has the form to do so having scored an incredible five goals in the FA Cup win at Luton on 27 February.
Owned by 60%

Potential Differential

Ciro Immobile (€7.8m) vs Bayern (A)
Lazio defeated Bayern 1-0 in Rome on Matchday 7, their goal coming from a familiar source. Immobile's penalty was his fourth goal in this season's Champions League and his score of six points makes it 29 from the last four matchdays. Given Bayern have failed to keep a clean sheet in six games in all competitions, Immobile offers significant differential appeal on Matchday 8.
Owned by 1%