Champions League

Champions League Picks – Matchday 2

The next round of matches in this season’s Champions League gets underway this evening. Fantasy managers taking part in the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game need to be aware of an early deadline this evening – Zenit’s home clash against Austria Vienna means our squads must be submitted by 16.45 GMT. With Lionel Messi missing out through injury, there’s plenty to ponder, then; we bring Granville on board as our Champions League tipster for the season ahead:

Tuesday

Hulk – already off the mark with a thunderbolt in the group opener against Atletico Madrid, the Brazilian heads into this evening’s encounter in strong form. Set-piece taker Hulk has netted in each of his last four appearances for the Russians and, with six goals in his previous seven, looks a real contender for our three-man frontlines at just 9.0. Alternatively, team-mate Oleg Shatov is another to consider. Zenit are flying right now, having racked up six straight victories in all competitions and the midfielder has been key to their impressive displays, chipping in with three strikes in his last couple of appearances – at 5.0, he’s a strong budget option against the struggling Austrian outfit.

Pedro – Messi’s absence this Matchday is as much of a blow for Fantasy managers as it is for Barcelona. Currently residing in 60% of teams, the most popular player in the game is burning a 13.0 shaped hole in our budgets ahead of the Spanish side’s trip to Celtic this evening. Granted, as Barca found out last term, Parkhead is something of a fortress on European nights – the visitors (who are also without Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba) will be looking for the 9.0 priced forward to maintain the form that has harvested five goals in his last six appearances before facing back-to-back Group H games against Milan.

Jackson Martinez – make no mistake, the Portuguese league leaders have a tough home tie on their hands as Atletico Madrid pay visit later tonight. Diego Simeone’s side have now won all seven La Liga matches but Martinez’ eye for goal could help swing the match the hosts’ way – with five strikes in his previous six, he’s an in-form option at 8.0 up top. If you’re on the hunt for a cut-price midfielder, Josue may fit the bill – coming in at a mere 4.5, he’s at the front of the queue for spot-kicks and has already converted three this season.

Valentin Stocker – the 6.0 priced midfielder is a key man for Basel as they look for a repeat of the Matchday 1 victory at Stamford Bridge. Up next for the Swiss side is a home game against Schalke and with the injury-hit visitors shipping 16 goals in their last seven matches, it’s fair to say their defence has been unconvincing. Stocker has now struck three times in the last seven, with this stunner against Sion at the weekend. His midfield team-mate Mohamed Salah is another option – similarly priced, he found the net in Matchday 1 away to Chelsea.

Wednesday

Ahmed Musa – the 5.5 priced CSKA forward has been filling in for the injured Seydou Doumbia in recent matches and has now notched five times in 11 appearances. Admittedly, the Russian outfit have been in poor form of late but with visitors Plzen offering little threat going forward, a home win in Wednesday’s early kick-off (deadline is 16.45 GMT again) looks on the cards. For those looking to load up on the hosts, Vasili Berezutski, at a mere 4.0, is a tempting shout in defence.

Sidney Sam – in spite of their Matchday 1 defeat at Old Trafford, Leverkusen have made a strong start to the season, winning six of their first seven Bundesliga fixtures. The 5.0 priced midfielder has racked up five goals in seven appearances so far this term and, playing host to a Real Sociedad side without a win since the opening game of the campaign, looks an eye-catching acquisition.

Edison Cavani – a home game against Benfica brings PSG’s summer signing onto the radar. Coming in at 10.5, the former Napoli man is kinder on the budget than team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic (12.5) and has now notched five games in eight appearances for the French outfit. He could also be on spot-kicks, too – Ibrahimovic missed his last penalty, while Cavani converted from the spot at the weekend, albeit with the Swede off the pitch. At the back, centre-half Marquinos comes in at 5.5 and has grabbed two goals in four appearances this term.

Massimo Bruno – the Anderlecht midfielder looks an outstanding value squad filler as he prepares for a home showdown against an Olympiacos side who are notoriously bad travellers. Priced at a mere 4.0, Bruno has already registered five goals in nine matches this season and could well be set to plunder the points tomorrow evening.

Arturo Vidal – despite firing 13 shots at goal against FC Copenhagen, Juventus could only manage a draw last time out. A home game against Galatasaray affords the Italian side the chance to get back to winning ways and Vidal’s contribution is likely to be here – the 8.5 priced midfielder has already notched three times in six appearances and is on spot-kicks for the “Old Lady”. Former United man Paul Pogba is a budget alternative at 5.5 and looks a secure starter in the hosts’ five-man midfield.

Granville I\'ve got the blood of poets and lovers in my veins. Follow them on Twitter

1,176 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    best replacement for messi?

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    1. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Incredible Hulk

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    2. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Hulk

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    3. Jönny
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Blatant post-counting, that's two first posts in a row. New article though, hard luck 😉

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      1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        no idea what you are on about!

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    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I went with Rvp.

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  2. Who Ate All Depays?
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Dawson or Walker ??

    Is Dawson nailed on ?

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    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Dawson.

      No reason why he shouldn't be.

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    2. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      walker by a mile.and yes dawson has played every 90 min.does not look like hell misss min + hes captain. same deal w ramsey and all the naysayers here abou rramsey..would lov to see who in their right mmind will bench ramsey when arteta and santi bak.if anything Wilshere and gflamini go to bench.

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  3. davidtbo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Walker

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  4. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Zenit:

    Lodygin, Lombaerts, Hubočan, Smolnikov, Anyukov, Shatov, Fayzulin, Witsel, Hulk, Danny, Kerzhakov

    SUBS: Baburin, Criscito, Neto, Shirokov, Bystrov, Tymoshchuk, Arshavin.

    Shirokov not fit enough to start again. Shatov at 5.0m is a good punt I think.

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    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Shirokov only on bench

      Bring on captain Hulk

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    2. leo_messi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      wow..no shirokov...

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    3. isacki: full casual
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I hope Captain Shirokov didn't.

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    4. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Smolnikov at 4.0m maybe worth a go

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    5. Smarty Pants
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Hey, Granville. You've mentioned Berezutsky in the article, he is injured.

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Is he, Vasili? He played last time out.

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        1. Smarty Pants
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Yes, Vasily. He didn't travel with the team today (they're playing in Saint Petersburg tomorrow (not in Moscow)) and confirmed out of the game tomorrow, it's on the official website.

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  5. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    what do u think is order best to last? thnx (so far pts + bonus)

    1--fonte 41p 7bp
    2--bDavies 34p 7bp
    3--lovren 41p 7bp
    4--dawson 28p 2bp (does not look like dawson will miss min due to rotation tot d-fence)
    5--colocini 22p 6bp

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    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      2
      4
      3
      5
      1

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      1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        thx...mercy ure not too fond of the sou duo..u think its too knee jerk...agreed b davies llok s promising and fast /cheapt at 5, but fonte/lovren do look solid in that sou dfence + mnagnet for bonus p. Dawson ure llike me, belive he will not miss any min due to rotation,guy is the cpatian and playing well.

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        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 6 months ago

          Dawson and Lovren pretty close imo.

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          1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 6 months ago

            wer do u think Ben davies has the edge over the 2? his potential for goals..? i thot fonte could rank higher than both lovren and dawson at some pt, he seems to go more forward than lovren

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            1. EmreCan Hustle
              • 11 Years
              10 years, 6 months ago

              I'm still nit convinced with Fonte. He's only one bad game away from being dropped with Yoshida and Hooiveld waiting. Not too dissimilar from Dawson.

              Davies is a great player. Gets forward, knows how to score, he's like a Coleman. Swansea defence is good and they like to attack.

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  6. Hobo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Will Ronaldo get rested tomorrow?

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  7. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    UCL dilemma:

    Messi,Lucas and Bruno-> Hulk,Isco and Pogba???

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    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Why remove Bruno? Tipped to be good value.

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      1. # Young Gun SEAMUS #
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        hey i have robben shuld i kick him for reus

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    2. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      i would say to stay with Bruno

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  8. Wingate
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    SO chelsea next 10 fixtures are just beautiful.

    Who should be top 3 players to get in?

    I just bought Terry for Zaba, so hes my 1st.... should I be looking at anyone else next week?

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    1. Wingate
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Would imagine It should be Terry, Cole, Oscar? Hazard next and Mata for you rogues out there...?

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    2. Jackson123
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I've got Terry, would say Oscar is the only other I'd have right now, but I want Michu more.

      Hazard is on the radar though.

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      1. Mr.B
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Hazard hasn't really shown anything great this season yet though.

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  9. Mr.B
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Which 2 out of Silva, Michu, or Eriksen?Or any other mids from the same club?

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    1. Wingate
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      MICHU and ERIKSEN mate,

      Great fixtures both, Michu we know can be explosive, and Eriksen looks full of potential, im holding despite the distractions of Paulinho and Siggy

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  10. Plymouth
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    So, got both Chester & Brady out now, but is tempted to keep them both, and trade out Collins or M.Turner is this madness? Considering my team is the following:

    Cech(Boruc)
    Murner, Collins, Baines, Cole, Chester*
    Scheiderlin, HBA, Brady*, Jedinak, Michu
    Studge, Suarez, Giroud

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    1. Hobo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      WC?

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      1. Plymouth
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        Never

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  11. boc610
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    so zaha's been at it with Moyses' daughter and andy caroll likes a bit if the Bolivian?. would explain a lot.

    man i love Twitter.

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    1. Wingate
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      links?

      I love @evilkagawa

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  12. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Austria Vienna:

    Lindner, Ortlechner, Ramsebner, Leovac, Suttner, Koch, Simkovic, Mader, Holland, Royer, Hosiner

    SUBS: Grünwald, Rotpuller, Murg, Okotie, Jun, Spiridonovic, Kienast.

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  13. olidooley
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    I would WC if I had that team

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    1. olidooley
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      Plymouth reply fail

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      1. Sean.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 6 months ago

        thought it was a fair comment myself 😆

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  14. Smarty Pants
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    NEW POST!

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  15. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Can't decide between Barkley, arnie, whittingham and amalfitano.
    Who would everyone go for?

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    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      long term Barkley, this week Whit

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    2. Del Griffith
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 6 months ago

      I've got Whits, long term I reckon it will pay off

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  16. Mr.B
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Take out Nolan or Brady this week?

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  17. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts? I have one FT but might take a -4 so pick one or 2 please.

    A) Collins > Walker
    B) Lampard > Paulinho/Oscar/Yaya
    C) HBA > Paulinho/Yaya
    D) JWP > Whittingham

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  18. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 6 months ago

    Just a quick one. Is Adriano still Barca's left back or is Alba back?

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  19. New Article Posted