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#UCLfantasy popular picks and potential differentials

It's the final round of group games, and #UCLfantasy picks out which players might make the difference this week.

Inter's Mauro Icardi is a strong differential option
Inter's Mauro Icardi is a strong differential option ©AFP/Getty Images

As the group stage draws to a close, UEFA.com singles out the big hitters and hidden gems for matchday six.

GOALKEEPERS

Robin Olsen (€4.2m) vs Plzeň (A)
Roma's Olsen has become a mainstay in many Fantasy teams this season owing to his bargain price. He already costs €0.2m more than he did, but he remains excellent value for money and has kept two clean sheets and made 24 saves so far. One word of warning: Roma will finish second in their section regardless of their matchday six result, so may make changes for the trip to the Czech Republic.
Selected by: 11%

Potential differential
Gianluigi Buffon (€5.9m) vs Crvena zvezda (A)

Suspended for the first three matchdays, Buffon has become Paris's first-choice UEFA Champions League goalkeeper – a fact that has perhaps been overlooked by Fantasy managers as the Italian veteran features in just 1% of teams. The French champions travel to Belgrade to face Crvena zvezda on Tuesday as they look to book their place in the round of 16.
Selected by: 1%

DEFENDERS

Popular pick
Joshua Kimmich (€6.0m) vs Ajax (A)
Kimmich has long been the most highly-owned defender this season and, after three clean sheets in his first four matchdays, finally rewarded his owners with attacking returns in matchday five with two assists against Benfica. His Bayern side face Ajax on Wednesday, knowing that a draw would be enough to see them finish top of Group E.
Selected by: 36%

Potential differential
Thomas Meunier (€5.5m) vs Crvena zvezda (A)

Although Paris have yet to keep a clean sheet in this year's competition, Meunier – very much of the new breed of attack-minded full-backs – has registered a goal and two assists for his relatively sparse owners. The Belgian missed out against Liverpool on matchday five but returned to action in Ligue 1 last week so will be expected to line up against Crvena zvezda on Tuesday.
Selected by: 5%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular pick
Mohamed Salah (€11.0m) vs Napoli (H)
Salah was already a well-owned asset but his hat-trick against Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday is set to push his stock up even further. That display will have given the Egyptian an injection of confidence heading into Tuesday's crucial meeting with Napoli at Anfield, Liverpool needing a victory to give themselves a chance of progressing to the knockout stages.
Selected by: 20%

Potential differential
Riyad Mahrez (€8.6m) vs Hoffenheim (H)

With Mahrez having featured in all five group matches – including starts in the last three – it appears Josep Guardiola fully trusts his Algerian attacker on the European stage. The former Leicester City man has scored one and assisted four times in those three starts, so he looks to be an astute addition to Fantasy squads when you consider his surprisingly low ownership.
Selected by: 2%

FORWARDS

Popular pick
Lionel Messi (€11.6m) vs Tottenham (H)

By far the highest owned Fantasy player this season, and for good reason. Barcelona's main man missed matchdays three and four through injury, but has still racked up a formidable 33 points to date – an average of 11 per game. The Argentinian delivered a masterclass when Barcelona faced Tottenham at Wembley in matchday two, so the Premier League side will be expecting more of the same at the Camp Nou on Tuesday.
Selected by: 42%

Potential differential
Mauro Icardi (€10.0m) vs PSV (H)
As Barcelona have already qualified as group winners, there is a danger that Messi will be rested against Tottenham. If Fantasy managers want to look elsewhere for goals on matchday six, Icardi represents a sure starter. Internazionale are very much in the mix for round of 16 qualification, and Icardi – with three goals in this season's UEFA Champions League – could be the man to fire them to victory against PSV. Overlooked by many, he stands out as a tempting differential option.
Selected by: 4%

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