We’re covering Premier Punt‘s Champion’s League offering this week, with a run down of some of the players from the 32 teams involved that are worth considering. There are weekly games available that include all 16 clashes, daily games that cover either Tuesday or Wednesday’s fixtures and, finally, single game contests for each match. The unique selection criteria and rules for the latter were looked at in last week’s Premier Punt focus.
Here’s who has caught our eye for the next two evening’s fixtures, with our recommendations broken down by player classification…
The Defence
Bayern Munich have conceded just three goals in seven league clashes and another shut-out looks possible as they welcome Dinamo Zagreb. The German side’s full-back Jerome Boateng, at 6.8m, is significantly cheaper than David Alaba (8.2m), while Juan Bernat (6.3m) offers the option of a cheap double-up amongst Bayern’s backline.
Real Madrid’s Marcelo (6.8m) and Roma’s Lucas Digne (5.7m) are two raiding left-backs that could provide points at both ends of the pitch.
Digne’s team-mate Morgan De Sanctis should start in goal against BATE as first choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny is sidelined. Zenit St Petersburg also look well set for a clean sheet with Belgian side KAA Gent visiting the Russian champions. Full-back Domenico Criscito is available for 5.7m and goalkeeper Juri Lodygin will set you back 6.8m for the home side.
The Midfield
In midfield, Mohamed Salah (9.0m) looks good value for Roma and has scored in his last three Serie A appearances. His opponents BATE look decidedly shaky in Europe and were beaten 4-1 in their Champions League opener against Bayer Leverkusen.
Angel Di Maria (14.8m) appears to have adapted well to life in Paris with three strikes in four outings for PSG as they travel to Shakhtar Donetsk. This match could see plenty of goals, with the Ukrainian side netting 15 times in their last five matches – Alex Teixeira (10.1m) is our pick from their midfield, with 10 goals in eight league outings this term. Kevin De Bruyne (10.8m) is Manchester City’s in-form player as they travel to a Monchengladbach side that are 14th in the Bundesliga with only six points from seven matches.
The Forwards
In the forward positions, we’re going to look at some alternatives to obvious big-hitters Cristiano Ronaldo (16m), Robert Lewandowski (15.9m) and Luis Suarez (16m).
Porto’s Vincent Aboubakar can be picked up for only 8.9m ahead of Chelsea’s visit. He has four goals in six league outings as well as a brace in the Champions League opener against Dynamo Kiev and will look to profit from the Blues’ struggles in defence. The Portuguese side are unbeaten in their last 13 home league ties and the last seven Champions League matches in front of their own supporters.
Antoine Griezmann (12.7m) has three goals in as many home matches for Atletico Madrid in La Liga and also scored a brace against Galatasaray in the Champions League. The Frenchman now welcomes Benfica to the Vicente Calderon.
Seydou Doumbia (10.8m) has seven goals in eight appearances in all competitions for CSKA Moscow as PSV Eindhoven travel to the Russian capital.
Arsenal welcome Olympiakos to the Emirates and Theo Walcott (13.5m) is set to start with fellow striker Olivier Giroud suspended. Walcott has two goals in three league outings and also netted against Zagreb in the first round, while opponents Olympiakos conceded 71% possession against Bayern in a 3-0 loss – a repeat of which would play to the Gunners’ strengths.
Anthony Martial has had a promising start at Manchester United and is a perfect budget enabler at only £6.3m. Opponents Wolfsburg have conceded six goals in the last two matches, so could have a difficult time when they visit Old Trafford tomorrow evening.
