Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

As the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first legs kick off UEFA.com considers some of the players proving particularly popular on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation, as well as the lesser-owned assets capable of making a big impact.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

David Raya (€5.6m) vs Real Madrid (H)
A quarter of Fantasy managers own the Arsenal keeper, who has conceded just two goals this season at home in the Champions League with four clean sheets. No goalkeeper has a higher ownership percentage than Raya, who is likely to be kept busy by Real Madrid as the Gunners look to make home advantage count in the first leg.
Owned by 25% 

Potential differential

Gianluigi Donnarumma (€5.8m) vs Aston Villa (H)
The top Fantasy scorer among goalkeepers on Matchday 12, Donnarumma kept a clean sheet over 120 minutes at Anfield before saving two penalties in the resulting shoot-out as Paris Saint-Germain overcame Liverpool. The Italian has three shutouts in his last four Champions League appearances, picking up 24 Fantasy points, and faces Premier League opposition again on Matchday 13 in Aston Villa.
Owned by 6%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Nico Schlotterbeck (€5.0m) vs Barcelona (A)
Despite a tough quarter-final first leg away to Barcelona, Schlotterbeck's Fantasy consistency means the Dortmund defender's popularity remains steady. One of five defenders with an ownership percentage of 20% or more, Schlotterbeck has registered at least four points in each of the last five matchdays, including two clean sheets and 38 ball recoveries. He also offers attacking potential, recently providing two assists against St. Pauli in the Bundesliga.
Owned by 22% 

Potential differential

Nuno Mendes (€5.8m) vs Aston Villa (H)
The Portuguese full-back's low ownership is a surprise considering he has accumulated 70 Fantasy points this season, with only Paris team-mate Achraf Hakimi having managed more among defenders still involved. This is something that could be to the advantage of managers searching for a point of difference among their squads, with Mendes having accumulating 34 points in the knockout stage alone.
Owned by 8%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Lamine Yamal (€7.3m) vs Dortmund (H)
The second highest-owned Fantasy midfielder, Yamal starred for Barcelona in their round of 16 second-leg win against Benfica, picking up 12 points after scoring from outside the box and laying on an assist. The 17-year-old was Player of the Match when Barcelona won at Dortmund in the league phase, making an assist and scoring eight Fantasy points, and his sizeable ownership will hope for another strong showing on Matchday 13.
Owned by 45%

Potential differential

Bukayo Saka (€9.0m) vs Real Madrid (H)
Having been out with a hamstring injury since December, Saka made his Premier League return for Arsenal on 1 April, marking it with a goal against Fulham. Prior to his lay-off Saka had shone in Europe, registering four goals, two assists, two Player of the Match awards and 46 Fantasy points in five league phase appearances. Not featuring in the round of 16 has led to his Fantasy ownership dropping off, which opens up an opportunity for Matchday 13 differential hunters.
Owned by 5%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Robert Lewandowski (€9.6m) vs Dortmund (H)
Despite not scoring in the round of 16, Lewandowski comes into Matchday 13 after five goals in five games for club and country. The Pole has already found the net nine times in this season's Champions League and has 27 goals in as many games against former club Dortmund, explaining an ownership percentage that is the third highest among forwards.
Owned by 29%

Potential differential

Marcus Thuram (€7.3m) vs Bayern München (A)
Although Inter's defenders are gaining plenty of Fantasy interest prior to the quarter-finals, one of their forwards could end up offering the most value. Thuram was key in the round of 16 after scoring in both legs against Feyenoord, recording eight Fantasy points on each occasion. In a position full of premium assets, the cheaper Thuram could prove an astute bargain as Inter travel to Bayern.
Owned by 3%