[sbu_large_image] Champions League
1 April 2014 888 comments
Granville Granville
Share:

Our coverage of the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game returns this afternoon. With just eight teams left in this year’s competition, our options are somewhat restricted ahead of this evening’s 7.30 pm deadline – nonetheless, we hand-pick six players for your consideration, with the obvious options again overlooked:

Tuesday

Philipp Lahm – rested to the bench in last weekend’s home draw with Hoffenheim, Lahm was only called upon after Thiago Alcantara was forced off through injury. Classified as a defender (priced at 7.0) in the Champions League game, he’s been mainly utilised in midfield under Pep Guardiola and has chipped in with a goal and six assists over the season thus far – the Bayern skipper could well be amongst the points in tonight’s crunch encounter at Old Trafford.

Koke – with Raul Garcia suspended for the trip to Barcelona and Diego Costa a big doubt, Atletico will rely on their midfield to provide a cutting edge in this evening’s all-Spanish showdown. A tight match is anticipated in the Nou Camp but with a price of 5.5, Koke – who has six goals and 13 assists already to his name this season – is a budget-friendly option for Diego Simeone’s La Liga table-toppers.

Dani Alves – Barcelona are in decent defensive form for Atletico’s visit, though, with three clean sheets in their last four games. The hosts chances of another shut-out have been boosted by Costa’s potential absence and, having chalked up four goals and a pair of assists this term, Alves (priced at 7.0) marginally gets the nod ahead of Jordi Alba as our pick.

Wednesday

Karim Benzema – the Frenchman plays host to a Dortmund side decimated by injuries tomorrow evening and offers an in-form double-up option alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. Benzema – available for 11.5 – has managed four goals in six Champions League games and struck 17 times domestically; with Robert Lewandowski missing out through suspension for the visitors, he looks a handy up-front replacement if you fancy Carlo Ancelotti’s men to bang in the goals.

Christophe Jallet – the right-back has been an ever-present for PSG since Gregory van der Weil was forced onto the sidelines with a knee injury. Priced at just 4.5, Jallet offers a cut-price route into Laurent Blanc’s backline and with Jose Mourinho expected to keep it tight in Paris, the hosts will fancy their chances of delivering a clean sheet, bearing in mind the Blues have failed to score away to Villa and Palace in their last two away league matches. There’s a chance that Marquinos could be shifted over to the right but we’re sticking our neck out and reckon it’s more likely Jallet will get the nod.

Fernando Torres – on the other hand, if you fancy Mourinho to mastermind a cheeky Chelsea victory in the French capital, you don’t have to look much further than Champions League specialist Torres. The Spaniard sets you back 9.0 and has already scored three times in this term’s competition – with Samuel Eto’o sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Torres is set to lead the line for the visitors.

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

888 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    taking a punt or two:

    Pinto
    Carvajal - Alaba - Azpi
    Cabaye - Bale - Gabi/Koke - Robben
    Ronaldo - Messi - Cavani

    just can't pick between Gabi and Koke

    Open Controls
    1. chrisjdgrady
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      cavani over ibra is a mistake lets be honest!

      Open Controls
      1. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        why? you don't think Mourinho is going to tailor his defense to contain Ibra? Cavani coming in from the wing could be big..he can give Ivan that physical battle

        Open Controls
  2. Reeker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Coleman (ARS)
    or
    Ward (car)

    Open Controls
    1. The B
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Coleman

      Open Controls
    2. Kevin Twine
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Coleman.

      Open Controls
  3. The B
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Gerrard owners.

    Holding onto him or waiting for another YC to shift to Silva?

    Im guessing Gerrard will again play silent against WH to avoid a YC in order to remain eligible to play against City. Thoughts?

    Open Controls
    1. sinik
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      I think he'll be benched vs West Ham to take no chances..

      Open Controls
  4. pundit of punts
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Azpilicueta or Jallet?

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Jallet

      Open Controls
    2. LOCO ABREU
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      think i'm doing jallet>alaba,keeping azpi,not sure about jallet for the 2 legs.

      Open Controls
    3. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      azpi, jallet not nailed on

      Open Controls
  5. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    muller or mandzukic?

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Really is a coin flip.

      Open Controls
  6. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Will Adriano or Rafinha start?

    Won't be able to wait for team sheets.

    Open Controls
    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      rafinha yes, adriano no imo alba is first choice unless tata prefers someone more defensive

      Open Controls
  7. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Adebayor back?

    Him and Eriksen love each other

    Open Controls
    1. The Enlightener
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Good point. I agree the love seems to be strong.

      Open Controls
    2. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Tbh , I am doing my damndest to convince myself to leave Eriksen till next season.End of day you gotta go him as is yr in yr gut , I think.

      Open Controls
      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        I think so, I keep not doing it and wishing I had

        Open Controls
        1. Debauchy
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 6 days ago

          I really think he is an asset. Just that Spurs crumbling and feel this gotta affect his threat etc ?

          Open Controls
  8. Malkmus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Hmm...

    Play Gerrard or swap for Lallana re: GW 34 ???

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Play.

      Open Controls
      1. Malkmus
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Thanks. Was planning on keeping Stevie for the rest of season but just seen what I can do with the spare lama cash.

        I think getting roon is key for gw36 onwards

        Open Controls
        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 6 days ago

          It does come with a slight risk though of maybe being taken off early to avoid a yellow or being rested altogether.

          Open Controls
          1. Malkmus
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 6 days ago

            Tough one, stevie really can rack up the points when the game goes his way, but the lama is on fire and is quite a bit cheaper

            Open Controls
  9. The B
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Mata cant play against Bayern right?

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Yes.

      Open Controls
  10. Alberto Tomba
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Kyle Naughton at 4.1 looks good. Is either chiriches or walker expected to replace him when fit?

    Open Controls
    1. The B
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Yup

      Open Controls
      1. Alberto Tomba
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Ok, cheers B!

        Open Controls
  11. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    I imagine Atletico's front 6 will start like this tonight

    Gabi Tiago
    Koke Turan Villa
    Costa

    Open Controls
    1. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Spot on as long as Costa is fit if not will probably be Adrian up front

      Open Controls
    2. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Costa won't play

      Open Controls
    3. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Villa won't play from the left. Reckon Sosa will play.

      Open Controls
  12. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Who will replace Arbelo?

    Open Controls
    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      carvajal

      Open Controls
      1. Jafooli
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Cheers Toonzie, and for above answer...

        Open Controls
        1. Toonzie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 6 days ago

          np gd luck 😀

          Open Controls
          1. Jafooli
            • 14 Years
            12 years, 6 days ago

            Same to you 😀

            Open Controls
  13. The B
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Cant wait to see Bayern bang ManUtd from behind and then finishing off right in the face.

    Oops.

    Open Controls
  14. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Thiago Motta to start for PSG?

    Open Controls
    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      yep

      Open Controls
  15. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    I'm keeping Marcano and Fuster for now so that I have a cheap bench without wasting transfers..

    looking at this so far:

    Pinto
    Carvajal - Alaba - Azpi
    Matuidi - Robben - Bale - Koke
    Ronaldo - Messi - Mandzukic

    seems like everyone has the same team lol

    Open Controls
  16. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Marquinhos likely to play tomorrow?

    Open Controls
    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      25%

      Open Controls
      1. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        stick with Jallet or go for Maxwell?

        Open Controls
  17. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Any thoughts on this UCL team

    Pinto/3.0

    Alaba/Azpi/Marcello/Carvajal/Buttner

    Hazard/Robben/Kroos/Buquets/Gabi

    CR7/Messi/Cavani

    Open Controls
    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Sorry Rafinha in instead of Azpi

      Open Controls
    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Marcelo is out for the season.

      Open Controls
    3. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Buttner, ha!

      But other than that its decent
      Not sure about Busquets

      Open Controls
      1. Disco Stu
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Buttner in because he was the cheapest Defender I could find that plays. Not expecting anything out of him

        Open Controls
        1. Camp No No
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 6 days ago

          Durm?

          Open Controls
        2. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          12 years, 6 days ago

          Carvajal or do you have him already?

          Open Controls
          1. Disco Stu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            12 years, 6 days ago

            Have Carvajal and don't think Durm plays

            Open Controls
  18. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Tata pretty much confirmed that Neymar will continue on the right in his press conference today. That would probably mean Cesc in midfield again and Iniesta out on the left.

    Pinto
    Alves Pique Mascherano Alba
    Busquets
    Xavi Cesc
    Neymar Messi Iniesta

    Open Controls
    1. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      pretty much the same lineup against rm in the el classico?

      Open Controls
  19. A.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    So who's a better option in midfield, Koke or Gabi?

    Open Controls
    1. sinik
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      according to Granville, Gabi plays deeper whereas Koke will play on the right in a 3-man attacking mid

      Open Controls
      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Both are worth owning actually, it's just that I can't see many goals in that tie.

        Open Controls
    2. Toonzie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      koke on set piece

      Open Controls
      1. Toonzie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        tops la liga with 13 assist btw

        Open Controls
  20. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Is there a 4.0m in UCL worth a punt?

    Open Controls
    1. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      buttner is a great pick

      Open Controls
    2. emperikal
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Durm

      Open Controls
  21. Evans
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Worth swapping out Evra for Chelsea defender ?

    Open Controls
    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      I'd swap him for a Man City defender instead.

      doubles coming up and I imagine S'tan at home will be a low scoring affair.

      Open Controls
  22. sinik
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    the Motta vs Matuidi debate..

    Open Controls
  23. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Assistant Manager

    'Nani has scored 1 goals this season - select him now'

    Drunk fool.

    Open Controls
    1. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Steve Kean

      Open Controls
  24. Dain Bramage
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Sorry repost I'm a idiot (I put it on last article)
    How come Benteke is not on the captains poll list? Home to Fulham. First time I've had him in my team and hoping for some good returns. Good set of fixtures and double game week to come. Am I missing something peeps
    Cheers

    Open Controls
    1. Az
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      good pick. just not for captain.

      although hes better than some of the other names on the list!

      Open Controls
      1. Dain Bramage
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        That's what I think AZ he should be on the list! I'm slightly tempted to be honest just because of the differential

        Open Controls
    2. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      he's better than nikica funking jelavic

      Open Controls
      1. Dain Bramage
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        Haha now he's never captain material lol

        Open Controls
    3. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Don't worry about the poll. Just captain him if you honestly expect him to do well.

      Open Controls
      1. Dain Bramage
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 6 days ago

        I like your style Epic but if I do I would f liked the opportunity to vote. Just very surprised he's not there.

        Open Controls
    4. Debauchy
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      You already Bramaged ! I might just go the same route . A 1 week punt and C , out for Aguero next if ready. At this stage of season - time for some adventure yeah !

      Open Controls
      1. Dain Bramage
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 5 days ago

        Sorry for late reply KP and the more I think about it the more I'm tempted! Benteke captain surly he will rip Fulham apart

        Open Controls
  25. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    can't wait for line-ups as I won't be able to access UCL on my phone but how does this look

    Pinto

    Smallling, Carvajal, Jallet, Cahill, Alaba

    Robben, Bale, Koke,

    Messi, CR7, Rooney

    No bench

    Open Controls
    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      You have one bench player with 5 refs there

      Looks decent, though Smalling and Rooney is questionable

      Open Controls
    2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      cannot see rooney having much joy

      Open Controls
  26. A.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Consensus is that Lucas Moura won't start tomorrow right, so I should drop him?

    Open Controls
    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      He looks so good and yet gets little
      Im shipping today

      Open Controls
    2. Obi Wan Elokobi
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Would drop him regardless

      Open Controls
  27. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Marcelo injured?

    Open Controls
    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Yes, hamstring tear

      Open Controls
    2. maskegger
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Yep. Coentrao to deputize.

      Open Controls
  28. maskegger
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Torres? Torres?!

    Open Controls
    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      Magic.

      Open Controls
  29. A.
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    So I still have my WC, having not played it in the groups, and think i'll take two -2 hits this week. Thats not WC-worthy, right?

    I think i'll save it for the final, it seems most help there tbh

    Open Controls
    1. A.
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 6 days ago

      In fact if Dortmund and Man United all go through my team will be threadbare and require major surgery for the semis, I think its definitely worth saving

      Open Controls
  30. Tommytour
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 6 days ago

    Thanks for not flagging that UCL

    Boateng certain starter for Bayern?

    Open Controls