Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

The UEFA Champions League quarter-finals begin on Matchday 13 and UEFA.com marks out some of those most popular players on UCL Fantasy, presented by PlayStation, as well as a group of differential options capable of high returns.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

David Raya (€5.5m) vs Sporting CP (A)
The Arsenal No1 is the only goalkeeper owned by over 40% of Fantasy managers ahead of Matchday 13, when the Premier League leaders travel to Sporting CP for the first leg of their quarter-final. Raya's six clean sheets are the most of any goalkeeper still in the competition, the latest against Leverkusen in Arsenal's second-leg victory in the round of 16.
Owned by 41% 

Potential differential

Matvei Safonov (€4.4m) vs Liverpool (H)
No goalkeeper scored more Fantasy points on Matchday 12 than Paris Saint-Germain's Safonov, who made nine saves in keeping a clean sheet at Chelsea in the round of 16 second leg. While Liverpool represents a tough test on Matchday 13, Paris have home advantage in the first leg and Safonov's shot-stopping abilities, plus his cheap price tag, makes him worthy of consideration.
Owned by 1%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Nuno Mendes (€6.3m) vs Liverpool (H)
One of just two players who feature in over half of Fantasy squads, there are high expectations for the Paris Saint-Germain left-back to deliver another sizeable score on Matchday 13. Not only did Mendes pick up eight points on Matchday 12 with a clean sheet and six ball recoveries in a 3-0 win at Chelsea, he scored a penalty and provided an assist in his side's most recent Ligue 1 fixture.
Owned by 54% 

Potential differential

Trent Alexander-Arnold (€5.7m) vs Bayern (H)
Madrid have kept a clean sheet in the first leg of both knockout ties this season, Alexander-Arnold starting both games. A regular set-piece taker, his ability to register points from different Fantasy avenues increases his appeal. A high price tag and difficult fixture at home to Bayern München may dissuade some Fantasy bosses, but managers willing to take a risk could be rewarded handsomely.
Owned by 3%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Lamine Yamal (€9.9m) vs Atlético de Madrid (H)
Having scored in both legs of Barcelona's last-16 triumph against Newcastle, Yamal is the second highest-owned midfielder heading into Matchday 13, when Barcelona welcome Atleti to the Camp Nou. The 18-year-old's form in Europe justifies his sizeable ownership with three goals, two assists, a Player of the Match award and 30 points from his last three Champions League appearances.
Owned by 34%

Potential differential

Ademola Lookman (€7.0m) vs Barcelona (A)
The last time Lookman faced Barcelona in the first leg of a knockout competition, the Nigerian registered a goal and assist in Atleti's 4-0 win in this season's Copa del Rey semi-final on 12 February. As the two Spanish clubs meet again, Lookman offers significant differential value on Matchday 13. His pace could prove crucial on the counterattack and he comes into Matchday 13 in good form after an attacking return in three of his last four games for club and country.
Owned by 6%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Harry Kane (€10.8m) vs Real Madrid (A)
Kane was on the scoresheet twice for Bayern against Atalanta on Matchday 12, also picking up his fourth Player of the Match award in 2025/26. Regardless of the opposition, Kane's offensive threat remains huge, as shown by 48 goals in 40 club appearances across all competitions this season. Should he overcome a recent injury sustained on international duty, few Fantasy managers will not include Kane in their squads come Tuesday's deadline.
Owned by 40%

Potential differential

Luis Suárez (€5.0m) vs Arsenal (H)
Scoring against a formidable Arsenal defence will be no easy feat, but Suárez has already proved his pedigree in the Champions League when taking on strong opposition at home, particularly his two goals and 13 Fantasy points against Paris in the league phase. Seven of his last eight Sporting CP appearances in all competitions have yielded at least one attacking return, and when factoring in his goal, assist and nine Fantasy points in his side’s round of 16 second-leg comeback against Bodø/Glimt, Suárez could end up being the perfect differential bargain on Matchday 13.
Owned by 5%