Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular picks and potential differentials

As the UEFA Champions League reaches Matchday 3, UEFA.com highlights a group of players attracting significant interest, as well as some less-owned options capable of delivering big points, on UCL Fantasy, presented by PlayStation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular pick

Thibaut Courtois (€6.0m) vs Leipzig (H)
While Real Madrid are yet to keep a clean sheet in this season's Champions League, interest in Courtois has remained high; he is still the second highest-owned goalkeeper. The Belgian has made 11 saves during the league phase and his ownership will hope that such shot-stopping ability leads to a clean sheet on Matchday 3 against Leipzig.
Owned by 17%

Potential differential

Pierluigi Gollini (€4.0m) vs Slovan Bratislava (H)
With first-choice goalkeeper Mile Svilar out injured, Gollini featured for Roma on Matchday 2 after keeping a clean sheet against Como in Serie A just a few days earlier. Gian Piero Gasperini is likely to stick with the 31-year-old on Matchday 3, when Roma are at home to Slovan Bratislava, who are bottom of the league phase table after two games.
Owned by 0%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick

Gabriel (€6.0m) vs Bayern München (A)
Although Arsenal face a stern test at Bayern, Mikel Arteta's back line is capable of shutting out any side and Fantasy managers appear to share that view. Only Nuno Mendes has a higher ownership among defenders than Gabriel, who has helped his side keep a clean sheet in both league phase matches so far. It is also worth noting that Gabriel and the Arsenal defence will not have to deal with key Bayern winger Michael Olise, who is suspended for Matchday 3.
Owned by 28%

Potential differential

Sergi Altimira (€4.0m) vs LASK (H)
The bargain-priced Altimira has played a key role for Sporting CP, making 13 ball recoveries across their two matches and a clean sheet in France on Matchday 2, which earned him seven Fantasy points. Sporting will look to make it three wins from three against a LASK side without a point, and those looking for a cheap defender with a small ownership may want to consider Altimira.
Owned by 2%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick

Lamine Yamal (€10.1m) vs Paris Saint-Germain (A)
Yamal's sparkling form continued against Galatasaray with a Player of the Match performance featuring two assists and 11 Fantasy points. Having now produced 22 attacking returns in his last 12 appearances for Barcelona and Spain, Yamal is by far the highest-owned midfielder set to feature on Matchday 3.
Owned by 43%

Potential differential

Johan Manzambi (€6.5m) vs Viking (H)
Now fully fit, Manzambi is worthy of consideration by Fantasy managers after scoring in Aston Villa's 6-0 win over Fenerbahçe on Matchday 2, helping him earn the Player of the Match award and 13 points. This also made it three consecutive games for club and country in which Manzambi has registered an attacking return, which bodes well for his Matchday 3 prospects against Viking.
Owned by 1%

FORWARDS

Popular pick

Erling Haaland (€11.1m) vs AEK Athens (H)
Haaland continues to set scoring records in the Champions League having now become the fastest-ever player to reach 60 goals in the competition. From a Fantasy perspective, that only enhances the Manchester City striker's Matchday 3 appeal against AEK Athens. With ten goals in his last seven club games in all competitions, Haaland's ownership should continue to trend upwards ahead of the deadline.
Owned by 24%

Potential differential

Victor Osimhen (€8.0m) vs Lille (A)
Having missed Matchday 1 through injury, Osimhen returned to the Galatasaray starting line-up against Barcelona and will now be on the radar of Fantasy managers after six goals and two assists in his first four Turkish Süper Lig matches of the season. Away to a Lille side who have conceded three goals in each of their first two league phase fixtures, Matchday 3 could prove to be productive for Osimhen.
Owned by 4%