Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 reaches its conclusion on Matchday 12 and UEFA.com assesses a selection of the most popular choices on UCL Fantasy, presented by PlayStation, plus some intriguing differential options.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

Thibaut Courtois (€6.1m) vs Manchester City (A)
The Real Madrid No1 justified his status as one of the highest-owned Fantasy goalkeepers on Matchday 11, not only keeping a clean sheet and making four saves but also delivering the crucial pass for his side's first goal. That was Courtois' second assist in this season's Champions League, a rare feat for a goalkeeper, and earned him ten points – the most of any player in his position.
Owned by 25% 

Potential differential

Uğurcan Çakır (€5.0m) vs Liverpool (A)
Liverpool were kept out by Çakır for the second time this season as Galatasaray overcame the Premier League champions 1-0, just as they did in the league phase. No goalkeeper on Matchday 11 recorded more saves than Çakır's seven and he is likely to be busy again in the second leg with Liverpool chasing the tie. Only Courtois has a higher overall Fantasy score than Çakır and, with a vastly lower ownership, the Galatasaray goalkeeper is a key differential.
Owned by 1%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Gabriel (€5.7m) vs Bayer Leverkusen (H)
While Arsenal conceded for the first time in Europe this season with Gabriel on the pitch on Matchday 11, the Brazilian still picked up five Fantasy points after making ten ball recoveries in a 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen. With the tie finely poised a clean sheet on Matchday 12 would give Arsenal a huge chance of progressing and Gabriel will look to add to his 41 points from five starts.
Owned by 31% 

Potential differential

Pedro Porro (€5.0m) vs Atlético de Madrid (H)
Porro was involved in both of Tottenham's goals in defeat at Atlético de Madrid in the first leg, helping him accumulate nine Fantasy points despite his side conceding five goals. Porro has now registered at least nine points in each of his last three Champions League appearances, helped by 22 ball recoveries and a Player of the Match award. This makes him one to consider for Fantasy managers looking for a lesser-owned defender capable of attacking returns.
Owned by 7%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Vitinha (€7.3m) vs Chelsea (A)
The most highly-owned midfielder among Fantasy managers, Vitinha was on target for the sixth time on Matchday 11, completing six ball recoveries and collecting nine points as Paris Saint-Germain defeated Chelsea 5-2. Of Vitinha's six Champions League goals this campaign, five have come against Premier League opposition ahead of his Matchday 12 trip to Stamford Bridge.
Owned by 40%

Potential differential

Sondre Brunstad Fet (€4.7m) vs Sporting CP (A)
One of the biggest Fantasy bargains available at the moment, Brunstad Fet was on target from the penalty spot on Matchday 11 as Bodø/Glimt took command of their tie against Sporting CP. The 29-year-old was named Player of the Match to finish on 13 points and his two goals in the knockout stage mean he warrants consideration as a differential asset.
Owned by 1%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Kylian Mbappé (€11.1m) vs Man City (A)
Having missed out on Matchday 11 due to injury, many Fantasy managers have retained hope that Mbappé can return for the second leg. The Frenchman has 38 club goals in all competitions this season, including 13 in the Champions League, and should he feature at Manchester City, could find opportunities on the counterattack with Madrid holding a 3-0 first-leg lead.
Owned by 55%

Potential differential

Antoine Griezmann (€8.5m) vs Tottenham (A)
While Fantasy attention may be drawn to Julián Alvarez when it comes to Atleti forwards, the lesser-owned Griezmann also holds plenty of value. The Frenchman shone on Matchday 11 with two assists, a goal and 13 points against Tottenham, who have now conceded at least two goals in their last seven games in all competitions.
Owned by 2%