Champions League Picks – Last 16, Second Leg

Our coverage of the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game returns again as the deadline for the second round of the round of 16 edges ever closer. With the eight matches spread out over tonight, tomorrow and next midweek, the Matchday gives us four potential captaincy options to choose from but with the likes of PSG and Real Madrid both as good as through after huge first leg wins, our tactical approach could be a little different this time around:

Tuesday March 11
Thomas Muller – the Bayern forward is owned by less than 3% of Fantasy managers ahead of this evening’s home encounter with Arsenal. Muller warmed up for the Gunners visit by bagging two goals and an assist in a weekend rout of Wolfsburg and, priced at 11.0, looks a real captaincy contender as the holders looks to seal their progress into the quarter-finals.

Raul Garcia – available for just 7.0, the midfielder is Atletico’s top scoring player in this term’s competition. Whilst Diego Costa garners most of the Fantasy attention, the 8%-owned Garcia has notched three goals and a pair of assists and his attacking contribution could be key as Diego Simeone’s side look to defend a 1-0 advantage over Milan in front of their own fans.

Wednesday March 12
Samir Nasri – Man City head to Barcelona 2-0 down from the first leg and need to go on the attack to stand any chance of progressing. Available for just 6.5, Nasri has already served up a goal and four assists in the group stages and rolls up to the Nou Camp in decent form, having netted twice since returning from a knee injury last month. Given that the Spanish side have now lost two of their last three league games, Manuel Pellegrini’s side will fancy their chances of springing a surprise.

Thiago Motta – the PSG midfielder will set you back just 5.5 for a home clash with Leverkusen. Motta has racked up a couple of goals and three assists in the group stages and currently sits on 37 points; just four off the top of the midfield standings so far. With a 4-0 lead from the first leg, there’s a threat of rest and rotation for the French side, though Motta’s game time looks assured under Laurent Blanc.

Tuesday March 18
Samuel Eto’o – Chelsea’s match with Galatasaray is finely balanced after a 1-1 draw in Turkey last time around. With Fernando Torres likely to be sidelined due to a groin problem, Eto’o seems set to get the nod as Jose Mourinho looks to eliminate Didier Drogba and co – the Cameroon international has been in fine form in front of his own fans and, priced at 9.0 with an ownership of 2%, is a real captaincy differential for the third night’s action.

Jese Rodriguez – with Real Madrid already 5-0 up from the first leg win at Schalke, the threat of rest and rotation hangs heavy over Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Given that they have a vital league game against Barcelona just five days later, we could well see their main assets warm the bench – Rodriguez comes in at just 6.5 and has caught the eye for the La Liga leaders, with five goals and four assists from four domestic starts.

Wednesday March 18
Wayne Rooney – a goal and assist against West Brom on Saturday hinted at a return to form for the United frontman. With Robin Van Persie toiling up top and Juan Mata ineligible to appear in the Champions League, Rooney (10.5) could be David Moyes’ main hope of turning around a 2-0 first leg deficit against Olympiacos next week. From a Fantasy perspective, the potential non-appearance of Ronaldo the night before means many will be looking to the Wednesday matches for a captain to fall back on and United have everything to play for, suggesting Moyes will field his strongest side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – with Dortmund already 4-2 up from the first leg in Zenit, changes could be on the cards for Jurgen Klopp’s side. If you reckon United will struggle to overcome Olympiacos and instead fancy a differential option for the final night of the round, the Gabon international may be one to consider. With Robert Lewandowski currently sidelined through injury, the 8.5-priced Aubameyang could be set to lead the line as he looks to maintain the form that has harvested 13 goals in 18 Bundesliga starts so far.