#UCLfantasy Captain Marvel: matchday one

Selecting the right captain is crucial to getting off to a good start, so here are six candidates you should be considering for the armband on matchday one.

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TUESDAY

Lionel Messi (€11.5m) vs PSV (H)

If you don’t select Lionel Messi and he performs well against PSV, your rank is likely to suffer. At the time of writing, 44% of Fantasy managers have seen fit to select the Argentinian in their squads for matchday 1, and while it isn’t always advisable to follow the crowd, this is one occasion where going against the grain could result in tears. The Barcelona frontman has started the season in typical fashion, notching four goals and three assists in five games, and will be as integral as ever to his side's chances.

Sadio Mané (€9.0m) vs Paris (H)

While Mohamed Salah is undoubtedly a viable captaincy option, there is a strong case to be made for favouring his Senegalese team-mate at present. Mané matched Salah for UEFA Champions League goals last year, both hitting ten during Liverpool’s run to the final. Domestically, Mané has outscored Salah by four goals to two this season and, crucially, he is €2.0m cheaper.

Eren Derdiyok (€6.0m) vs Lokomotiv Moskva (H)

If you’re after a left-field choice for your Tuesday captain, how about Galatasaray’s Eren Derdiyok? The Turkish champions are currently top of their domestic league and their Swiss striker has been on the scoresheet three times already this season. Here they welcome a Lokomotiv Moskva side making their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League group stage since the 2003/04 season, so Derdiyok will look to get his side off to a flier.

WEDNESDAY

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his account for Juventus on Sunday©Getty Images

Cristiano Ronaldo (€12.0m) vs Valencia (A)

No list of potential captains would be complete without the UEFA Champions League's all-time top scorer. Even if Ronaldo hadn’t broken his duck for new club Juventus on the weekend, we still would have been championing his cause – he did score in every game in last season's group stage, after all. Need more convincing? He's scored 15 career goals against Valencia. Compelling.

Romelu Lukaku (€10.0m) vs Young Boys (A)

Owned by just 5% of Fantasy managers at present, Lukaku could be an astute differential captain choice on matchday 1 with an appetising opener against Swiss newcomers Young Boys. United have won their last two Premier League games, Lukaku contributing three goals – and with six in his last four matches for club and country, he should come under serious consideration.

Robert Lewandowski (€11.0m) vs Benfica (a)

The Polish hitman has been as lethal as ever this season, scoring six times in his five domestic appearances, and will once more spearhead a Bayern attack capable of overpowering any opponents. He bagged five goals in the group stage last year and will look to open his account against a Benfica side who lost all six matches in 2017/18.

Fantasy tip: Remember that you have two bites at the cherry. Make sure that you first select a captain who plays on Tuesday, and if he doesn’t perform, you can always switch to a player with a Wednesday fixture!

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