#UCLfantasy popular picks and potential differentials
Monday, September 30, 2019
Article summary
Ahead of Matchday 2, UEFA.com picks out some highly-owned #UCLfantasy assets alongside some under-the-radar options.
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The secret to #UCLfantasy is finding the right blend between the top-performing players you can't afford to ignore, and the more unheralded stars who could score big at the right time. UEFA.com looks at some options in each category for matchday two.
GOALKEEPERS
Popular pick
Marc-André ter Stegen (€6.0m) vs Inter (H)
Ter Stegen's 12-point haul at Dortmund on Matchday 1 included a penalty save and that performance has taken him above Manchester City's Ederson as the most selected goalkeeper in #UCLfantasy. Barcelona host Inter on Wednesday at the Camp Nou, where they conceded just two goals across their six home UEFA Champions League matches last season.
Selected by: 21%
Potential differential
Adrián (€4.5m) vs Salzburg (H)
Liverpool's home form in the UEFA Champions League was superb last season and defensively they were near impregnable. Against Salzburg on Wednesday, the reigning champions will be seeking a sixth consecutive Anfield clean sheet in the competition. First-choice goalkeeper Alisson is on the road to recovery but matchday two is likely to come too soon for the Brazilian, so Adrián remains good value at €4.5m.
Selected by: 5%
DEFENDERS
Popular pick
Nicolás Tagliafico (€5.0m) vs Valencia (A)
The flying full-back's ownership has rocketed since his matchday one haul of 18 #UCLfantasy points and he now features in almost a third of all teams. This is one instance where following the masses would appear to be a sensible move as the Ajax man consistently offers attacking threat.
Selected by: 32%
Potential differential
Sergio Ramos (€6.5m) vs Club Brugge (H)
Matchday two marks the return from suspension of UEFA Champions League stalwart Ramos. The Real Madrid centre-back comes at a premium price of €6.5m, but owning a penalty-taking defender is a tempting proposition. To add to that, the Merengues have kept three consecutive clean sheets since their matchday one defeat in Paris.
Selected by: 4%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular pick
Lucas Tousart (€4.5m) vs Leipzig (A)
As highlighted in our ball recoveries article, a new option for#UCLfantasy managers has emerged this season and Lyon's Tousart certainly falls into that category. The central midfielder picked up five #UCLfantasy points on Matchday 1, thanks in large part to his 11 ball recoveries. This has not gone unnoticed, with almost a quarter of Fantasy bosses bringing the budget option into their midfields.
Selected by: 24%
Potential differential
Eden Hazard (€11.0m) vs Club Brugge (H)
The Belgian's Real Madrid career has yet to really take off – a fact that is reflected in his low ownership – but it is early days still, and given the talent he possesses, it is surely a matter of time before he hits his stride. A home fixture on Matchday 2 represents the perfect opportunity for Hazard to endear himself to the Real Madrid faithful and #UCLfantasy managers alike.
Selected by: 3%
FORWARDS
Popular pick
Cristiano Ronaldo (€11.5m) vs Leverkusen (H)
Despite blanking on Matchday 1, Ronaldo's ownership has risen to 41% ahead of Juventus's home game against Leverkusen on Tuesday. The all-time UEFA Champions League top scorer has a phenomenal record against German clubs in the competition, having struck 26 times against them in his career.
Selected by: 41%
Potential differential
Dries Mertens (€8.5m) vs Genk (A)
A tempting differential option for Matchday 2 is Napoli's Mertens. The Belgian forward has struck six times for club and country this season – most recently against Brescia on Sunday – and now faces a Genk side who shipped six goals in their Matchday 1 defeat at Salzburg.
Selected by: 4%