Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

Ahead of the first legs of the UEFA Champions semi-finals, UEFA.com highlights players attracting significant attention as well as lesser-owned options capable of stealing the show on Matchday 15 of #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

David Raya (€5.6m) vs Paris Saint-Germain (H)
Raya has conceded just two goals and kept five clean sheets in six home Champions League appearances for Arsenal this season and is unsurprisingly the highest-owned goalkeeper set to feature on Matchday 15. As in the quarter-finals, Mikel Arteta's side have home advantage in the first leg and face opponents Raya has already shut out this season, Arsenal winning 2-0 against Paris in north London on Matchday 2.
Owned by 24%

Potential differential

Wojciech Szczęsny (€4.1m) vs Inter (H)
The Barcelona keeper is looking to make it three clean sheets in as many first-leg fixtures in this year's knockout stage. The Pole's ownership percentage may now have reached double figures but he is still the lowest-owned of the four goalkeepers expected to start on Matchday 15, giving him differential appeal.
Owned by 10%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Nuno Mendes (€5.9m) vs Arsenal (A)
Capable of accumulating points from multiple avenues, Mendes has is one of only two defenders to have passed the 90-point mark on Fantasy this season, his goal and eight points on Matchday 14 making it 55 points in his last six European games. Such numbers justify his vast appeal among Fantasy managers, with Mendes currently the joint-third most popular defender.
Owned by 23%

Potential differential

Marquinhos (€5.6m) vs Arsenal (A)
Having gone under the radar from a Fantasy perspective due to the recent hauls of his fellow Paris defenders, Marquinhos has been quietly producing strong numbers himself. The experienced Brazilian has made at least seven ball recoveries in each of his last five appearances, recording 43 overall in that period and taking his overall tally to exactly 100.
Owned by 8%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Lamine Yamal (€7.4m) vs Inter (H)
One of just two players owned by over half of Fantasy managers, Yamal could have a huge part to play for Barcelona in their first leg against Inter, especially with home advantage in favour of Hansi Flick's side. The 17-year-old has three goals, two assists and 37 Fantasy points in his last four home Champions League appearances.
Owned by 53%

Potential differential

Hakan Çalhanoğlu (€7.0m) vs Barcelona (A)
With exactly 50 Fantasy points heading into Matchday 15, Çalhanoğlu's modest ownership offers significant differential appeal considering his attacking potential from midfield. Likely to take penalties for Inter, Çalhanoğlu has scored three goals in Europe this season as well as recording 36 ball recoveries and an assist.
Owned by 3%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Lautaro Martínez (€9.4m) vs Barcelona (A)
The second highest-owned forward on Fantasy, the Argentinian's last five Champions League appearances have yielded seven goals, four Player of the Match awards and 49 points. He represents Inter's primary attacking threat heading into the first leg and his ownership is only likely to increase further prior to the Matchday 15 deadline.
Owned by 13%

Potential differential

Marcus Thuram (€7.6m) vs Barcelona (A)
Another Inter forward who warrants consideration is the lesser-owned Thuram, who has two goals, an assist and 23 points across the knockout stage. Those looking for a point of difference in their forward line should consider the Frenchman, although a recent muscle injury means that potential investors will need to monitor his availability as Matchday 15 approaches.
Owned by 4%