Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

UEFA.com assesses the options for UEFA Champions League Matchday 3, picking out a selection of popular choices capable of high returns and differential players who could also score heavily on #UCLfantasy, presented by PlayStation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

David Raya (€5.5m) vs Atlético de Madrid (H)
Comfortably the highest-owned goalkeeper, Raya comes into Matchday 3 with the opportunity to record clean sheets in each of Arsenal's first three league phase fixtures for the second year running. The Spaniard has already shut out both Athletic Club and Olympiacos in this season's Champions League, gaining 13 Fantasy points.
Owned by 31%

Potential differential

Nick Pope (€5.0m) vs Benfica (H)
A lesser-owned Premier League keeper who warrants serious Fantasy consideration is Newcastle's Pope. Eddie Howe's side have kept consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, one of those coming on Matchday 2 against Union SG where Pope registered six saves and returned eight points.
Owned by 2%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Nuno Mendes (€6.1m) vs Leverkusen (A)
Fantasy expectations for Mendes will be high heading into Paris Saint Germain's trip to Bayer Leverkusen. The attacking left-back has already scored 21 points after just two league phase matches, more than any other defender, and has demonstrated his ability to gain points in multiple different ways after a goal, an assist, a clean sheet, nine ball recoveries and a Player of the Match award.
Owned by 36%

Potential differential

Federico Dimarco (€5.5m) vs Union SG (A)
Dimarco's ownership is significantly down compared to recent years, but the Italian has justified his price tag with scores of seven and eight points respectively. Part of an Inter back line yet to concede a Champions League goal this season, Dimarco looks to be an ideal Matchday 3 differential pick away against a Union Saint-Gilloise side beaten 4-0 at home by Newcastle last time out.
Owned by 4%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Pedri (€7.5m) vs Olympiacos (H)
Over a quarter of Fantasy managers own Pedri, who has the chance to pick up his first goal involvements of the league phase on Matchday 3. The 22-year-old registered an assist against Sevilla in his last Liga appearance and remains the focal point of Barcelona's midfield. While Pedri is expected to start on Matchday 3, Fantasy managers will also have the benefit of checking Barcelona's starting line-up against Olympiacos prior to the deadline.
Owned by 26%

Potential differential

Kevin De Bruyne (€8.0m) vs PSV (A)
Fantasy managers searching for a differential midfielder may well consider De Bruyne given his three goals and two assists in his last four starts for club and country. Both assists came in Napoli's 2-1 win against Sporting CP on Matchday 2, De Bruyne ending that game with eight Fantasy points. Matchday 3 opponents PSV Eindhoven have conceded four goals in their first two league phase outings.
Owned by 6%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Harry Kane (€10.6m) vs Club Brugge (H)
Popular premium forwards have scored heavily so far in this season, Kane among the most successful. The Bayern München striker began the league phase with consecutive double-figure returns after scoring twice and winning Player of the Match award against both Chelsea and Pafos. Kane has 18 goals in just ten games for Bayern in 2025/26, and three in three for England.
Owned by 41%

Potential differential

Victor Osimhen (€7.5m) vs Bodø/Glimt (H)
The Galatasaray hero in a 1-0 triumph against Liverpool last time out, Osimhen heads into Matchday 3 full of confidence after his hat-trick for Nigeria against Benin on 14 October. Galatasary are back at home on Matchday 3 to face Bodø/Glimt and Fantasy managers searching for a lesser-owned forward should take note of Osimhen's recent form.
Owned by 2%