#UCLfantasy popular picks and potential differentials
Monday, February 11, 2019
Article summary
It's the first legs of the round of 16, and #UCLfantasy picks out which players can help you steal a march on your rivals.
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As the knockout rounds begin, UEFA.com singles out the big hitters and hidden gems for matchday seven.
GOALKEEPERS
Ederson (€5.5m) v Schalke (A)
One of the more premium priced Fantasy assets, the Manchester City keeper looks a solid option. Having kept two clean sheets in the group stages, City now travel to Schalke, who only scored six goals in this season's group stage, the fewest of all teams that progressed to the knockout phase.
Selected by: 20%
Potential differential
Roman Bürki (€5.7m) v Tottenham (A)
Selected by just 2% of managers, Bürki has scored the second most Fantasy points out of all goalkeepers. Dortmund's campaign has been built upon clean sheets, with the club registering five in their six group matches. Still largely overlooked by the masses, the Swiss stopper will be hoping to register yet another shut-out at Tottenham, who are likely to be without the services of star striker Harry Kane.
Selected by: 2%
DEFENDERS
Popular pick
Nicolás Tagliafico (€4.7m) v Real Madrid (H)
Tagliafico was on the radar of all managers after his two-goal, 17-point haul in matchday one and proved he was no one-off wonder with a further goal on matchday six. Ajax kept two clean sheets in their three home group matches and welcome a Real Madrid side that have not quite been at their fluent best so far in this season's competition.
Selected by: 12%
Potential differential
Raphaël Guerreiro (€5.5m) v Tottenham (A)
We've doubled up on our back line under-the-radar picks and selected Raphaël Guerreiro as our differential. The top-scoring defender still only has 4% ownership, despite racking up 38 points in just 221 minutes of UEFA Champions League action. Four goals scored demonstrates Guerreiro's attacking potential, while Dortmund's five clean sheets in the group stage indicates points could be scored at both ends of the field.
Selected by: 4%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular pick
Mohamed Salah (€11.0m) v Bayern München (H)
Already on the radar of most Fantasy managers, Salah and Liverpool love playing at home in the UEFA Champions League, with the club scoring eight goals in their three home group matches – Salah being responsible for three of them. Anfield lives for the big European nights and the club will know a lead is imperative going into the second leg against Bayern. This attacking mindset should lead to goals at Anfield, with Salah a leading candidate to produce the goods.
Selected by: 22%
Potential differential
Heung-Min Son (€7.9m) v Dortmund (H)
With Harry Kane nursing an injury, Mauricio Pochettino has turned to Heung-Min Son as his attacking spearhead. Although classed as a midfielder in Fantasy, Son has been primarily deployed up front in Kane's absence, meaning out-of-position potential. With a run of 11 goals and six assists in his last 15 English Premier League appearances, the South Korean has incredible form heading into the UEFA Champions League knockout stage. Son could therefore turn out to be astute addition to Fantasy squads when you consider his surprisingly low ownership.
Selected by: 3%
FORWARDS
Popular pick
Lionel Messi (€11.6m) v Lyon (A)
By far the highest owned Fantasy player this season, and for good reason. Despite missing matchdays three and four through injury, the Argentinian still registered six goals and one assist in the group campaign. Barcelona travel to France to play Lyon, who conceded two goals in each home group match this season, so there should be plenty of chances for Messi to continue racking up the Fantasy points.
Selected by: 46%
Potential differential
Memphis Depay (€8.5m) vs Barcelona (H)
While Lyon's tie may not look the most appealing on paper, Barcelona have conceded in each away match in the UEFA Champions League so far this season, while Les Gones have scored two goals in each of their home UEFA Champions League matches. If both trends are set to continue, Depay could be the main beneficiary. With Nabil Fekir suspended, Lyon will be heavily reliant on Depay to be their main source of creativity. The Dutchman already boasts three assists and one goal in 455 minutes of group action – good for an attacking return every 113 minutes.
Selected by: 2%
