Champions League Fantasy Football: Scout notes 1 October

From expected line-ups to advice on substitutions and captain changes, the scout notes offer a helping hand to managers on #UCLfantasy, presented by PlayStation.

Fantasy decisions

• The deadline for captain changes and substitutions is 18:45 CET – the kick-off time of both Qarabağ vs Copenhagen and Union SG vs Newcastle.

• Fantasy managers have the opportunity to bring up to three outfield players and a goalkeeper off the bench to replace anyone in their original starting XI.

• Those looking for a higher Matchday 2 return from their chosen captain can opt to switch the armband to another player prior to Wednesday's deadline.

Fixtures

18:45 CET
Qarabağ vs Copenhagen
Union SG vs Newcastle

21:00 CET
Arsenal vs Olympiacos
Leverkusen vs PSV
Villarreal vs Juventus
Monaco vs Manchester City
Dortmund vs Athletic Club
Napoli vs Sporting CP
Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

Key Fantasy players

Promise David (€6.0m) – Union SG
Has scored in his last three games in all competitions, including the Matchday 1 victory at PSV.

Nick Woltemade (€7.0m) – Newcastle
On target against Arsenal on Sunday – his second goal since joining Newcastle last month.

David Raya (€5.5m) – Arsenal
Kept Athletic Club at bay on Matchday 1 – one of five clean sheets in all competitions this season.

Bukayo Saka (€9.5m) – Arsenal
Eight goal involvements in last season's Champions League for Saka, who has recently returned from injury.

Alejandro Grimaldo (€6.0m) – Leverkusen
Scored a stunning free-kick against Copenhagen on Matchday 1 and provided a Bundesliga assist on Saturday.

Phil Foden (€8.0m) – Man City
A Player of the Match performance against Napoli on Matchday 1 having set up City's opening goal.

Erling Haaland (€10.5m) – Man City
A further two goals in the Premier League on Saturday took Haaland to 15 for club and country in 2025/26.

Lamine Yamal (€10.0m) – Barcelona
Returned from injury on Sunday and took just one minute to assist Barcelona’s winning goal.

Robert Lewandowski (€9.5m) – Barcelona
The scorer of that winning goal, and one of only three players to have scored over 100 Champions League goals.

Nuno Mendes (€6.0m) – Paris
Returned 13 points on Matchday 1 by scoring, keeping a clean sheet and making four ball recoveries.

Karim Adeyemi (€7.0m) – Dortmund
On a three-game scoring streak in all competitions; an assist against Juventus on Matchday 1.

Kevin De Bruyne (€8.0m) – Napoli
Has started 2025/26 with six goals in eight appearances for club and country.

Francisco Trincão (€6.0m) – Sporting CP
Joint-highest Fantasy scorer on Matchday 1 on 17 points thanks to two goals and the Player of the Match award.