The minutes are ticking away until the second legs of the last 16 knockout stages in this season’s Champions League get underway. Once again, we assess the Fantasy iTeam (FiT) Player Price List ahead of tonight’s deadline and offer a couple of players over the four evenings that comprise Matchday 8.
A free Fantasy football app, FiT is available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android. Fantasy managers have until 10 minutes before the first kick-off in any given Matchday to make any final alterations to their starting XIs – this evening, then, that deadline is 7.35pm, ahead of Real Madrid’s clash with Schalke and Porto’s home encounter with outsiders FC Basel.
We’re supporting FiT throughout the competition and have an official Fantasy Football Scout League, with an iPad mini available to the winner. There’s also a VIP European Match Day Experience for two on offer for the overall winner of the Fantasy iTeam Champions League game.
Tuesday March 10
With Jackson Martinez ruled out of Porto’s home clash against Basel due to a groin injury, Cristian Tello will be the Dragons’ principal goal threat. The Barcelona loanee has found his rhythm after a slow start to life in Portugal, bagging four goals in his last two outings – including a hat-trick against Sporting Lisbon. The 23-year-old forward looks a steal at 5.9 and could well emerge as the hidden gem of Matchday 8.
Considering Schalke have conceded four and failed to score in their previous two away ties, Real Madrid left-back Marcelo could be a profitable acquisition for the Bundesliga side’s trip to the Bernabeu. The 6.7-priced defender is the most expensive among Los Blancos’ rearguard but justifies the outlay with his propensity for attacking returns – Marcelo bagged a goal in the reverse fixture and has notched six league assists this term by virtue of his marauding runs down the flank.
Wednesday March 11
Despite being held to a 0-0 draw in Donetsk, Bayern Munich’s imperious home form (14 goals scored and one conceded in the last three) suggests Shakhtar are in for a tough evening at the Allianz Arena. In an attempt to cash in on Die Roten’s redoubtable offense, we’re backing the 8.4-priced Arjen Robben to improve on his disappointing 25 points haul this Champions League campaign. The Dutch winger has netted five times in six starts and looks well placed to headline Munich’s march to a third Champions League final in four years.
With a goal or assist in four of his last five league starts, Eden Hazard (8.2) is Chelsea’s form player and the greatest threat to Paris Saint-Germain’s hopes of progressing in the tournament. The Belgian winger has only failed to deliver attacking returns in four of his 13 home league matches this term, suggesting he excels in the Stamford Bridge spotlight. Furthermore, PSG have only shut out their opposition once in seven Champions League outings, which should encourage the Blues’ attacking contingent as Jose Mourinho’s men look to clinch a place in the last eight.
Tuesday March 17
Although Arsenal face a tough task in Monaco if they wish to progress into the quarter-finals, they’ll be fairly confident of securing a win in light of a recent record which has harvested five victories in their last six road trips. Olivier Giroud (8.1) – who’s scored five in seven league starts – will need to be an instrumental figure if the Gunners are to mount a miraculous comeback. The French striker’s been used sparingly in the Champions League by Arsene Wenger but is almost certain to lead the charge at the Stade Louis II next week, given his recent hot streak.
Judging by the conflicting form of Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, you wouldn’t bet against the German side springing an upset on last year’s runners-up. Leverkusen have flourished in their three fixtures since the first leg, scoring six goals and serving up a trio of clean sheets. Son Heung-Min (6.7) now has five strikes in four Bundesliga starts, with a brace last time out against Paderborn strengthening his claim for a spot in our squads. Atletico, meanwhile, are without a win in three, tallying just one goal in the process. Granted, Rojiblancos possess the firepower to brush aside the visitors, yet Leverkusen might just be matching up against Diego Simeon’s team at the right time.
Wednesday March 18
We championed Luis Suarez in the reverse fixture and there’s even greater reason to invest in the former Liverpool frontman now. The Uruguayan has been irresistible in the three matches that followed the first leg, tallying four goals in two league ties and one Copa del Rey encounter. Manchester City are without a clean sheet in their last five away matches and will need a superhuman effort from their defence to keep out a Barca side that bagged six in their last home clash. Moreover, Suarez can be snapped up for a relatively modest 9.4m, placing him outside the top ten most expensive forwards left in the competition.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has spearheaded Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga revival in recent weeks, notching five goals in as many starts for Jurgen Klopp’s underachieving outfit. Having scored in his last two home matches and facing a Juventus side that’s only recorded one clean sheet in their previous seven, the pacy 25-year-old will fancy his chances to make it six in six. Priced at 8.9m, Aubameyang could be savvy alternative to his more illustrious counterparts this Matchday.
Fantasy Football Scout League
We’ve already set up an official Fantasy Football Scout league for you to join, with an iPad mini on offer to the winner – the league name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 11155.
