Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second legs, UEFA.com studies some of the more popular players on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation, alongside a selection of differential options capable of big scores.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

David Raya (€5.6m) vs PSV (H)
The highest-owned goalkeeper among Fantasy managers, Raya's popularity remains strong despite the Gunners conceding in the first leg at PSV Eindhoven. A glance at his league phase form reveals why; the Spaniard kept clean sheets in five of his seven appearances, conceding just twice, while Arsenal are yet to let in a home Champions League goal this season.
Owned by 24%

Potential differential

Wojciech Szczęsny (€4.0m) vs Benfica (H)
Since the turn of the year, Szczęsny has established himself as Barcelona's preferred goalkeeper in the absence of the injured Marc-André ter Stegen and delivered an excellent performance on Matchday 11 as he made eight saves in a 1-0 victory at Benfica. Another clean sheet in the return leg will send the Spanish side through to the quarter-finals, and the low-owned Szczęsny has kept four in his last five appearances.
Owned by 4%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Virgil van Dijk (€6.0m) vs Paris Saint-Germain (H)
With 56 points, only Mohamed Salah – with 57 – has a higher Fantasy total for Liverpool than Van Dijk, whose ownership now exceeds 30%. A consistent performer in the heart of the Reds defence, the Dutchman has returned at least seven points in seven of his eight European appearances this season.
Owned by 31%

Potential differential

Benjamin Pavard (€4.9m) vs Feyenoord (H)
While the impressive Inter defence has been popular for Fantasy managers this season, Pavard has flown under the radar somewhat. However, the Frenchman has played every minute of the Nerazzurri's last three Champions League encounters, and outscored all his defensive team-mates on Matchday 11 by earning nine points at Feyenoord.
Owned by 2%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Jamal Musiala (€9.0m) vs Leverkusen (H)
After successive blanks in the competition, Musiala was back on form on Matchday 11 with his goal against Leverkusen which, together with a clean-sheet point and three ball recoveries, earned him nine points. Featuring in almost a quarter of all Fantasy squads, Musiala has seven attacking returns in the Champions League this term and has scored in two of his last three club games.
Owned by 24%

Potential differential

Morgan Rogers (€5.0m) vs Club Brugge (H)
Despite being Aston Villa's top Fantasy points scorer Rogers' ownership remains low, a positive for managers looking to bring him in ahead of Matchday 12. After a hat-trick against Celtic on Matchday 8, Rogers recorded an assist and won the Player of the Match award – his second in a row – in the first leg at Club Brugge.
Owned by 5%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Harry Kane (€10.7m) vs Leverkusen (A)
A popular choice all season, Kane rewarded his owners with two goals in the first leg against Leverkusen which, combined with the penalty he won and the Player of the Match award, led to him finishing on 15 points. The prolific striker is now just one goal behind this season's top scorer Serhou Guirassy as Bayern prepare for their return at Leverkusen.
Owned by 30%

Potential differential

Rodrygo (€8.7m) vs Atlético de Madrid (A)
Not for the first time this season, the lesser-owned Rodrygo was the standout Real Madrid forward from a Fantasy perspective as he scored the first goal and won the Player of the Match award at home to city rivals Atlético de Madrid. That was the Brazilian's seventh attacking return in this season's competition and his third ten-point score in his last five appearances.
Owned by 7%