Champions League 2014/15 – Fantasy ITeam Matchday 11 picks

We’re just hours away from the start of this season’s Champions League semi-final stages. As always, we assess the Fantasy iTeam (FiT) Player Price List and offer two players per team for your perusal ahead of Matchday 11’s deadline.

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, as Juventus entertain holders Real Madrid in Turin.

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 5 May

Leonardo Bonucci (5.8) is not only the cheapest route into Juventus’ first-choice rearguard but also a threat in the final third, having tallied four goals in all competitions this term. Despite facing off against an offensive powerhouse in Real Madrid, a clean sheet for The Old Lady shouldn’t be discounted, given that Juventus have conceded just nine goals at home in Serie A and been breached on just five occasions in their last 13 outings.

Carlos Tevez (9.9) boasts three goals in four league ties, propelling him to the summit of the Serie A scoring charts. Of the forwards still left in Europe’s premier competition, only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo (both eight) have notched more goals than the former Manchester United frontman’s six. Furthermore, Madrid have conceded four goals in their previous two road matches, revealing a vulnerability in their defence that a buoyant Tevez could exploit.

Looking beyond the obvious choice for Madrid coverage in Cristiano Ronaldo – who bagged his sixth hat-trick of the campaign on the weekend – James Rodriguez (8.5) presents a strong argument for selection. The Colombian midfielder is enjoying his richest vein of form since making the switch from Monaco last summer, notching three goals in four league outings. Moreover, Rodriquez has only failed to deliver attacking returns in three of his previous 10 appearances, racking up six goals and three assists in the process.

In the absence of Karim Benzema – who misses out by virtue of sprained knee ligaments – Javier Hernandez (6.0) could be set to spearhead Madrid’s attack for the fifth match in succession. The diminutive Mexican has racked up three goals and a pair of assists in his last four appearances in the first XI and, having scored the winner against neighbours Atletico in the previous round, looks excellent value for many.

Wednesday 6 May

With five goals in his last two starts, Luis Suarez (10.1) is in scintillating form. In addition, the Uruguayan marksman has enjoyed success in the Champions League, netting four goals in as many appearances. The Catalan have steamrolled Getafe 6-0 and Cordoba 8-0 in their last couple of matches and with former manager Pep Guardiola paying visit, it makes sense to invest in their form – and cheapest – forward.

Barcelona’s attacking contingent have understandably garnered the plaudits for a five-match winning streak that’s harvested 20 goals, yet it’s worth noting that their defence didn’t concede once during that stretch. The La Liga giants have given up just two goals in their last seven encounters at the Camp Nou, encouraging a move for the 7.2-priced Gerard Pique, who’s notched seven times in all competitions this season and ranks fourth – behind Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi – in terms of league output (five goals).

With Robert Lewandowski doubtful to feature in the Barca clash after sustaining a fractured jaw and broken nose in Bayern’s defeat to Borussia Dortmund last week, Thomas Muller (9.5) emerges as the prime candidate among the Bundesliga champion’s squad. The World Cup winner is the highest-scoring midfielder left in the Champions League, having accrued six goals in eight starts.

Looking beyond Bayern’s backline in light of their inability to record a shut-out in three of their previous four outings, Thiago Alcantara’s (5.4) resurgence after a year-long injury lay-off demands attention. No player created more chances (four) than the Spain international on the night of Bayern’s second leg against Porto – a game in which Thiago claimed the opener. The former Barcelona starlet has been used sparingly by manager Guardiola since his return from injury yet has started – and proved highly influential – in Bayern’s last two European ties.

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.