Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

UEFA.com assesses some of the most popular players set to feature on UEFA Champions League Matchday 11, as well as highlighting a number of lesser-owned players with potential to score points in the semi-final first legs on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Gregor Kobel (€5.0m) vs Paris (H)
For much of the 2023/24 Champions League, Kobel has been a differential option from a Fantasy point of view, but his excellent form across the competition means he heads into the semi-finals as the highest-owned goalkeeper of the four expected to play. The Dortmund No1 has recorded 44 points, the most of any player in his position, including four clean sheets and 34 saves. He is likely to be busy again in Dortmund's first leg at home to Paris, with the visitors having scored ten goals during the knockout stage so far.
Owned by 11%

Potential Differential

Manuel Neuer (€5.9m) vs Real Madrid (H)
Neuer played a key role in Bayern's quarter-final victory against Arsenal and, of all the goalkeepers who featured on Matchday 10, was the only one to secure a clean sheet. The German international's seven Fantasy points from that game mean he has now gained 14 across the last three matchdays and heads into the semi-finals with four clean sheets in his last six European appearances. He is also likely to begin Matchday 11 as the lowest-owned starting player in his position.
Owned by 6%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Antonio Rüdiger (€5.4m) vs Bayern (A)
Although Rüdiger's numbers are not ground-breaking, the towering centre-back is a crucial part of Real Madrid's back line and a Fantasy favourite ahead of Matchday 11. With the second leg in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's men know the importance of a strong defensive showing at Bayern in the first leg, and will be looking for a repeat of their display at Manchester City in the quarter-final second leg, when they restricted the European champions to just one goal over 120 minutes.
Owned by 13%

Potential Differential

Ian Maatsen (€4.7m) vs Paris (H)
Maatsen is proving a differential diamond in the knockout stages. The Dortmund full-back has started the last four matches, most recently finding the net in the second-leg victory against Atlético de Madrid. Dortmund have home advantage in the first leg of their semi-final against Paris, Maatsen recording scores of nine and eight points across Dortmund's two home knockout games so far.
Owned by 2%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Joshua Kimmich (€6.6m) vs Real Madrid (H)
Kimmich is no stranger to starring in big games and is second only to Jude Bellingham for Fantasy ownership among midfielders. The versatile 29-year-old's headed winner on Matchday 10 helped earn him the Player of the Match award and 11 Fantasy points. Bayern will aim to make full use of home advantage against Real Madrid and Kimmich offers multiple avenues to gain points via goals, assists or ball recoveries.
Owned by 20%

Potential Differential

Fabián Ruiz (€6.0m) vs Dortmund (A)
With plenty of options to choose from in the Paris midfield, there are also possibilities for a point of difference for Fantasy managers. One such player is Ruiz, who has started all four knockout fixtures so far and produced impressive returns thanks to two assists, 17 ball recoveries and 19 Fantasy points. Should Ruiz be selected again in central midfield at Dortmund, he certainly offers differential appeal.
Owned by 0%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Kylian Mbappé (€11.7m) vs Dortmund (A)
Paris have already record one victory against Dortmund this season, beating them 2-0 in the French capital on Matchday 1. Mbappé was on the scoresheet in that game and registered a Matchday 10 double to help Paris overturn an aggregate deficit against Barcelona. The Champions League's top scorer in 2023/24, Mbappé has also shone from a Fantasy perspective, racking up 33 points in his last four appearances.
Owned by 38% 

Potential Differential

Niclas Füllkrug (€7.5m) vs Paris (H)
Dortmund may well go on the attack in a bid to gain a first-leg advantage against Paris, which could suit Füllkrug. The German club's last four home European fixtures have brought three wins and a draw with nine goals scored. Füllkrug has delivered an attacking return in each of those four games, including an assist against Paris on Matchday 6, making the 31-year-old a smart selection for Fantasy managers searching for a low-owned starting forward.
Owned by 1%