How should Champions League Fantasy Football managers approach the final?

The UEFA Champions League final brings an end to the season and managers on UCL Fantasy, presented by PlayStation, have some key decisions to make ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's meeting with Arsenal.

What do Fantasy managers need to know about Matchday 17?

• The Fantasy deadline for Matchday 17 is Saturday 30 May at 18:00 CET – the kick-off time for Paris Saint-Germain vs Arsenal. Starting line-ups for both teams will therefore be revealed ahead of the deadline.

• Fantasy bosses have five free transfers to use ahead of the final.

• A maximum of eight players can be selected from either of the finalists.

• With no other matches taking place during Matchday 17, there will be no opportunity to make manual substitutions once the final has kicked off.

• Similarly, only one captain can be selected.

UEFA.com has come up with three different strategies that Fantasy managers may want to consider for the final.

Low-risk strategy: Even spread of popular picks

This approach is one that may be favoured by managers who are looking to protect their rank and hold off those below them. This involves fielding as many of the highest-owned players from both sides in your starting 11.

For the upcoming final, that would generally involve – with a couple of exceptions – loading up your team with an Arsenal back line and Paris midfielders and forwards, minimising the potential damage that can be done to your rank. Should Arsenal keep a clean sheet, managers are guaranteed some Fantasy returns, while you also stand a good chance of owning a Paris scorer or assist provider should they find the Gunners net.

Medium-risk strategy: Single-team defence

Fantasy managers who are confident of a clean sheet for either Paris or Arsenal could opt for the strategy of stacking their defences with players exclusively from their chosen team. Together with the goalkeeper, a five-man back line from a single team has the potential to return six clean sheets overall, which will certainly provide an edge in that department.

The risk comes if your selected defence concedes, but should both teams score in the final, the Fantasy gains will likely be made in attack, where you will still be able to select some highly-owned players from each team.

High-risk strategy: All in on one team

Managers looking to make one final push in their mini-leagues to overtake their rivals could decide on a setup where they start with eight players from one team, leaving just three for the other.

While this carries the obvious risk of leaving you exposed to players from the team you have backed against, this approach can be hugely rewarding. Indeed, Fantasy managers who overloaded their team with Paris picks in last season's final would have benefited following the French side's record 5-0 win against Inter.

Other considerations

• In all three of the strategies outlined above, selecting differentials adds another layer to your strategy and could potentially boost your rank even further.

• With only one opportunity to select a captain on Matchday 17, this decision is perhaps more important than any other matchday, so consider your options carefully.

What happened in 2024/25?

Paris recorded the biggest win in European Cup final history by defeating Inter 5-0 in Munich. Désiré Doué (€8.1m) was the star from a Fantasy perspective with two goals, an assist and the Player of the Match award. Currently owned by 17% of Fantasy bosses, the French youngster could have a key role to play once again in this season's final.