With only four group winners decided so far, there’s plenty still to play for as we roll out our regular Champions League article ahead of tonight’s Matchday 6 deadline. As always, we highlight the top five in the Scout League and analyse the transfer trends, while suggesting another batch of Fantasy tips for your consideration…
Scout League Standings
Russ Kitson remains at the top of the Scout League after an 82 point haul last time round. Lionel Messi’s 26 point armband haul was supplemented by a 15 point performance from Arturo Vidal in Juventus’ 3-0 win over Chelsea. Jordi Alba and Thiago Silva both chipped in with clean sheets at the back, Alan and Lucho Gonzalez produced a goal apiece from midfield, while Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud provided a pair of assists against former club Montpellier. Russ is on 372 points; 18th in the overall rankings.
Melonfresh is also a non-mover, sitting in second on 370 points. He scored 95 points in Matchday 5 and also has a wildcard still available –captain Messi was joined by Vidal, Lucho Gonzalez, Sergio Aguero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Reus amongst others.
JDB climbs to third, with 358 points. Another who benefitted from a Messi armband and Vidal combined haul of 41 points; Vidal was part of a back-five that all produced clean sheets, while Lucho Gonzalez and Ibrahimovic helped JDB rack up 89 points last time out.
Hugo makes his way up to fourth thanks to a Matchday 5 score of 91 points. Captain Messi was joined by Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli in finding the net, while a backline that included Vidal and the likes of Thomas Vermaelen produced 44 points. Hugo now sits on 355 points, 159th overall.
The top five is completed by PJJHURK, who returned 96 points in the previous round. Captain Messi, Vidal, Feghouli, Reus, Alan and Reus were amongst his main protagonists as he moved to 355 points overall.
Market Forces
When it comes to keepers, defenders and midfielders, the most transferred in players ahead of Matchday 6 are the top scorers across the classifications. With many teams already through, though, rest and rotation may come into play – luckily, there are no early kick-offs ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, meaning we’ll have the team news to decide whether some punts are in order for Tuesday’s teams, at least.
Between the sticks, then, Wilfredo Caballero (Malaga), Helton (Porto) and PSG’s Salvatore Sirigu are the most wanted stoppers. In defence, PSG pair Thiago Silva and Alex are bettered only by Juventus’ out of position prospect Arturo Vidal, though the cut-price appeal of Celtic’s Mikael Lustig is proving popular at 3.5.
For midfielders, it’s a similar pattern. The top six points scorers Willian, Lucho Gonzalez, Oscar, Alan, Eliseu and Sofiane Feghouli are amongst the seven most popular transfers in since the end of Matchday 5 – Dortmund’s Marco Reus, with three goals in his last four, is also receiving significant Fantasy attention.
Up top, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Cristiano Ronaldo are joined by Dortmund’s Robert Lewandowski and Milan’s Stephan El Shaarawy as the only four to receive 1,000+ new owners – Lionel Messi doesn’t feature here as he already resides in over 75% of teams.
In terms of transfers out, a trio of suspended players lead the way – Roberto Soldado, Martin Demichelis and Yaya Toure all miss out this midweek. Sir Alex Ferguson’s rest and rotation policy has seen Robin Van Persie pick up plenty sales, while Chelsea’s dire form under Rafa Benitez has persuaded many to part company with the likes of Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz, Eden Hazard and Oscar.
Xavi and Lionel Messi have also been offloaded with Barcelona already through – many are assuming they will be rested, while Santi Cazorla has seen many transfers out – he has been rested for the Gunners’ trip to Olympiacos.
Ones to Watch
There’s a definite chance of rest and rotation amongst a number of clubs over the next two nights; a scenario which is set to frustrate Fantasy managers as we await the team news ahead of this evening’s deadline. With this in mind, we’ve opted only for players with plenty to play for – all five have home games on the horizon and could be the difference to their respective sides’ chances this midweek:
PSG may already be through to the knockouts but this evening’s match against Porto affords them the chance to qualify as Group A winners and ease the pressure on Carlo Ancelotti, after his side slumped to fourth in Ligue 1 last weekend. With their opponents currently a point ahead of the big-spending French outfit, only a win will clinch top spot for Ancelotti’s men. Our faith is firmly with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for this one – the Swede sits second in the forward rankings with two goals and five assists already accrued.
The pressure is already on Rafa Benitez after a dire start to his time in charge at Chelsea. Up against Group E whipping boys FC Nordsjælland tomorrow evening, the Blues must rack up a victory and hope the result in the Shakhtar v Juventus game goes their way. Benitez has at least one compatriot in scintillating form to help his cause – Juan Mata grabbed the opener at West Ham last weekend and could well be the spark to provide his manager with a first win since taking the reins at Stamford Bridge.
Bayern’s Toni Kroos gets the nod as Bate Borisov roll up to the Allianz Arena. Neck-and-neck with Valencia at the top of Group F, Jupp Heynckes’ side will be going all out to grab the win that would ensure they top the group and the 6.5 priced midfielder has already scored in both his home games so far – he warmed up for this one by opening the scoring in a weekend draw with Dortmund.
*edit – we had previously plumped for Shakhtar’s Luis Adriano for the home clash against Juventus – having scored a hat-trick last time round, he is down as “available” in the official Uefa site for the match. He is, however, banned for the game – we shall opt for in-form team mate Willian instead. Apologies over any confusion.
Celtic have it all to play for as they prepare to host Spartak Moscow tomorrow evening. Neil Lennon’s side have only lost two home games in the Champions League – both to Barcelona – and will be relying on the Spanish side to aid their chances of progression to the knockout stages. If Barca beat Benfica, Lennon’s side need only a draw at Parkhead to clinch a place in the last 16 – Giorgos Samaras has scored three of the Hoops’ seven goals and looks key to their chances.
TotelFootball
Once again, we’re trying our hand at TotelFootball this midweek. We’ll be selecting teams for both the Tuesday night and Wednesday night games and, by way of a special offer, the guys at TotelFootball have pledged to refund the stake money from the Tuesday and Wednesday games of players from Fantasy Football Scout that beat our lineups on the night. In the last round, our teams came a miserable 76th and an encouraging 11th last time from over 120 entries each night, so we’re there to be shot at.
Deadline for tonight’s TotelFootball game is 7.45pm so you have plenty of time to soak up our article later today and put a team together to take us on.
If you’re new to TotelFootball, you can also make the most of the new sign-up offer which will match you’re initial deposit, up to a value of £100 when you register.
Click here for details on the game or watch out for our article later this afternoon.
