Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of the second legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-finals UEFA.com picks out some of the most popular players on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation, as well as a selection of lower-owned players capable of big points returns.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Andriy Lunin (€4.8m) vs Bayern (H)
Being the lowest-priced goalkeeper likely to play on Matchday 12 justifies Lunin's higher ownership compared to others in his position. The Ukrainian was pivotal to Real Madrid's progression to the semi-finals, making 11 saves against Man City in their quarter-final second leg before starring in the subsequent penalty shoot-out. As was the case against the European champions, Real Madrid head into the second leg against Bayern with the scores level. However, with first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois nearing a return from injury, Lunin owners may need to be wary regarding his place in the starting XI on Matchday 12.
Owned by 14%

Potential Differential

Thibaut Courtois (€6.0m) vs Bayern (H)
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his hope that Courtois will be able to make his first appearance of the campaign in La Liga at the weekend. Should that be the case, then the expectation could be that the Belgian features for the visit of Bayern on Matchday 12. With little separating the other goalkeepers remaining in the competition in terms of their respective ownership percentages, Courtois offers differential appeal within the position having not yet featured in the 2023/24 Champions League.
Owned by 3%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

Mats Hummels (€5.2m) vs Paris (A)
Hummels had already established himself as one of the best Fantasy investments, but on Matchday 11 the experienced centre-back gained his biggest score of the campaign so far, with 12 points against Paris. A clean sheet, nine ball recoveries and the Player of the Match award was testament to Hummels' efforts and his overall Fantasy score of 75 points is the highest of any player. His ownership should continue to rise before Matchday 12.
Owned by 17%

Potential Differential

Nuno Mendes (€5.5m) vs Dortmund (H)
Despite no attacking returns or a clean sheet in Dortmund on Wednesday, Nuno Mendes came out of the fixture with respective five Fantasy points. The attacking Paris full-back accumulated nine ball recoveries in Germany and his five-point score was the highest of any non-Dortmund defender on Matchday 11. With Paris needing to overturn a one-goal deficit on Matchday 12, expect Mendes, who boasts 16 points across the last four matchdays, to push forward from left-back, enhancing his differential credentials.
Owned by 4%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Jude Bellingham (€8.0m) vs Bayern (H)
While Bellingham has not recorded an attacking return for Real Madrid across their last three Champions League fixtures, his Fantasy ownership remains by far the highest in all positions. Home advantage against Bayern may suit the England international, who has two goals and two assists across the four home European matches in which he has featured for Real Madrid. With 62 points this season, it would be a brave call for any Fantasy manager not to own Bellingham on Matchday 12.
Owned by 72%

Potential Differential

Jadon Sancho (€7.1m) vs Paris (A)
Although he may not have scored or assisted on Matchday 11, Sancho put in a magnificent individual performance for Dortmund against Paris, playing a key role in their 1-0 victory. His direct wing play has caused plenty of problems for opposing back lines, which should pique the interest of Fantasy managers looking for a differential midfielder. Given that Paris will need to overturn a first-leg deficit, Sancho's speed and directness on the counterattack could benefit him from a Fantasy perspective.
Owned by 4%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Harry Kane (€10.2m) vs Real Madrid (A)
Kane is the joint-top scorer in the 2023/24 Champions League with eight goals, the most recent in a thrilling 2-2 semi-final first-leg draw between Bayern and Real Madrid on Tuesday. No player has more attacking returns than Kane's 11 heading into Matchday 12, and with 43 goals across 43 games in all competitions for Bayern as it stands, it should be no surprise he commands the third-highest ownership on Fantasy.
Owned by 43%

Potential Differential

Ousmane Dembélé (€8.2m) vs Dortmund (H)
When it comes to assessing which Paris forwards to own on Matchday 12, most Fantasy managers will have their eyes on Kylian Mbappé. However, those searching for an lesser-owned option could do a lot worse than Dembélé. The 26-year-old was central to Paris turning around a one-goal first-leg deficit against Barcelona in the quarter-final second leg, scoring one goal, winning the penalty for another and being named Player of the Match. Dembélé has two goals, one assist and 24 points across the last four matchdays.
Owned by 5%