Champions League

The best defenders for UEFA Champions League Fantasy 2023/24

The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League (UCL) begins on Tuesday – and so does the competition’s official Fantasy game.

We’ll have plenty of UCL Fantasy coverage in preparation for the big kick-off, plus regular articles throughout the season.

If you’re new to the game or need reminding of the rules, check out our ‘how to play’ guide below.

SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE

Following a look at top goalkeeping, midfield and forward talents, our preview articles continue by picking out the best Champions League Fantasy defenders.

With a squad of 15 players and substitutions possible between the evenings of a Matchday, having forwards from both halves of the group draw is a great way to maximise points. This way, you know that there’ll be options on each day.

Here’s a guide to who’s who.

GROUPS E-H

The best defenders for UEFA Champions League Fantasy 2023/24

Joao Cancelo (€6.0m)/Jules Kounde (€5.0m) – Barcelona

Over the years, Cancelo has established himself as one of the world’s best right-backs for top teams like Manchester City and Juventus. But a falling out with Pep Guardiola resulted in him moving mid-season to Bayern Munich on loan.

Following that, late in the summer, he finally secured a loan move to Spanish giants Barcelona. Given he is still a great attacking asset, Cancelo could quickly establish himself as their main right-back.

He has already scored for the Blaugrana and, at 25% ownership, could be a great shout for the group stages.

Team-mate Jules Kounde is another great pick, having cemented himself at centre-back in the absence of Ronald Araujo (€5.5m).

He is great at ball recoveries and adept at getting the occasional goal from set-pieces. Ideally, you’d have at least one – if not both – of these for Matchday 1.

Ruben Dias (€5.5m)/Manuel Akanji (€5.0m) – Manchester City

Current holders Man City are again in a very favourable group, this time with Crvena Zvezda, RB Leipzig and Young Boys. Given their current form, I expect not just a load of goals but a decent number of clean sheets, so owning one of their defenders could be a source of consistent points throughout the Champions League group stages.

I have picked out Dias and Akanji as their most nailed-on centre-back at the moment. Both are great at ball recoveries and these get rewarded in UCL Fantasy. For budget reasons, I slightly favour Akanji over Dias but you can’t really go wrong with either.

Man City start off at home to the Serbian champions in Matchday 1.

David Raum (€4.5m)/Benjamin Henrichs (€4.5m) – RB Leipzig

Leipzig have started the new season strongly by convincingly beating Bayern in the German Super Cup, before delivering 13 goals and two clean sheets from four Bundesliga matches. I expect this form to continue in Europe.

Both Raum and Henrichs have been great in the opening games, combining for two goals and three assists. These attack-minded defenders are always looking to get forward whenever possible.

Currently, they’re owned by less than 5% of UCL Fantasy managers but could become a good source of points when Leipzig begin against Young Boys.

However, a word of caution on Raum. He was taken off injured in the last match and is touch-and-go. Their line-up will be revealed pre-deadline, so look out for it and make a decision accordingly.

GROUPS A-D

The best UCL Fantasy players for Matchday 11

Federico Dimarco (€5.5m)/Denzel Dumfries (€5.5m) – Inter Milan

The Inter Milan wing-backs continue to make a name for themselves in European football for their performances over the last couple of seasons.

Dimarco and Dumfries were one of the main reasons Inter reached June’s Champions League final and both defenders have gone up another level to start this campaign.

Looking closer, Dimarco has set up three goals and is ahead for expected assists (xA), whilst Dumfries is on one goal and two assists. Essentially being a right-winger when Inter attack, the latter has more expected goals (xG). Either way, both are strong options.

One thing to note in terms of UCL Fantasy is that Dimarco beat Dumfries 32-19 when it came to ball recoveries in last season’s competition.

Nicolas Otamendi (€5.0m)/Antonio Silva (€5.0m) – Benfica

Last time, Benfica were one of the surprise teams when topping Group H ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. They reached the quarter-finals before losing to Inter.

Their 2023/24 domestic duties have begun with four wins from five, including two clean sheets. Ball recovery monster Otamendi is a mainstay in their defensive line-up, having made 71 of these in last season’s UCL Fantasy. One of the highest, I expect him to do the same again.

Another player to consider is Antonio Silva, who shares the same price and 7% ownership. His 61 ball recoveries weren’t too far behind.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo (€5.5m) – Napoli

Finally, Napoli’s captain has been a revelation throughout the last few years. Not just for keeping clean sheets but also when bombing forward to contribute goals and assists.

In my opinion, Di Lorenzo is at least €0.5m lower than what he should be, which is great news for us UCL Fantasy managers. He should certainly be under consideration for a defensive slot at just €5.5m.

The right-back was one of the highest-scoring defenders last time, thanks to two goals, two assists, four clean sheets and 61 ball recoveries. Furthermore, he is already on three goal involvements from just four Serie A outings.

Apart from the pair of Real Madrid meetings, Di Lorenzo is a great defender for Champions League Fantasy and should provide great long-term value.


READ MORE UCL FANTASY CONTENT ON OUR SISTER SITE HERE


FPL General’s Gameweek 15 team reveal + transfer plans



FPL General’s Gameweek 15 team reveal + transfer plans


214 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Edalock
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Watkins to Alvarez? For free
    Have Foden

    Yay or nay?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Watkins fixtures looking FORWARD are pretty good I think as opposed to looking at Alavrez’ returne looking BACK WARDS!

      1. Edalock
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        So it's a nay for you?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Tis a Nay. I personally think you’re in the box seat.

    2. Ëð
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Probably only if you are going to WC around GW8 and you can't see any other way to use FTs. You might want Watkins back in by then.

      1. Edalock
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Honestly yet to decide on WC.
        Onana/Turner
        Chil, Gusto, Cash, Botman, Estu
        Rash, Bruno, Foden, Mbuemo, Saka
        Haaland, Watkins (4.5)

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      If you have no fires in your team then I would do it.

      1. Edalock
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Problem is, I'll probably need this weekend to know if I have fires

        Onana/Turner
        Chil, Gusto, Cash, Botman, Estu
        Rash, Bruno, Foden, Mbuemo, Saka
        Haaland, Watkins (4.5)

        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          How many FT's?

          1. Edalock
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            1FT

            1. FOO FIGHTER
              • 5 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Go with your gut.

    5. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes

  2. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is it time to WC this team

    Leno Turner

    Chilwell Estupinan Colwill Cash Kabore

    Saka Foden Martinelli Foden Nakamba

    Wissa Haaland Jackson

    3.6 ITB 1FT

    Any ideas would be appreciated

    1. Ëð
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes I think so

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      With triple CHE and double Ars midfield, perhaps...

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      It's close, probably ship about six or seven?

      Certainly want to get rid of at least one Foden 😉

  3. Ëð
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is Tripper worth the extra £ over Botman? Looking at swapping out Chilwell.

    1. Edalock
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I like Schar more than Tripps. The extra cash could be useful elsewhere

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No.
      Look at Newcastle's full schedule, including EFL cup v City and UCL ties. It's pretty hectic.
      Picking a CB over a 33? year old RB reduces the minutes risk slightly.
      Plus, there's the money saved.

    3. Hairy Potter
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Personally don't think he's worth 2.0 more than Botman, but if you have no other use for the money then Trippier is probably the better pick.

    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Botman is the one to own. Cheap, bonus points and an attacking return here and there plus he is the defender with the least chance of being benched.

    5. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      CL rotation surely going to become a factor?

      Tripps will be prioritised for CL, with his experience?

  4. it lies in the proles
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Keep Pedro or sell? And if selling, Alvarez or Darwin?

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Alvarez

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        This

    2. JoeSoap
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Alvarez, had the chance to bring him in last two weeks and foolishly kept faith in Jackson

  5. Mid-Table Obscurity
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I can move out Chilwell, Bruno f, and Joao pedro for trippier, Eze, and Alvarez (-4). Thoughts on this move?

    1. Muller Reus Corner
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Chilwell + Joao Pedro to Botman/Schar + Alvarez for free

      1. Mid-Table Obscurity
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Botman works but I really want trippier. He’d be a solid differential in my mini league

    2. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Let it be!

  6. CheesyGonzalez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Any UCL leagues to join?

  7. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sorry for asking but play ...

    A bell
    B cash

    Cheers

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Cheers. Wolves attack pretty poor though?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Nah, Wolves have looked okay, Chelsea look like Man Utd....utter dross

  8. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Four transfers so far this season tell a story:

    GW2 - Watkins & Bell > Alverez & Chilwel
    GW3 - Chukwuemeka > Sarr
    GW4 - Baldock > Gusto
    GW5 - Save FT
    GW6 - 2 x FTs and maybe burn one as not sure what to do

    There's a content creator in me yet...

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      No there isn’t

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Too late, just set up my 'Creator Cave' in my mom's basement, with obligatory energy drink promotional materials, some anime figures randomly scattered about, FPL legend footie shirts and a $5k microphone.

        Also a few subliminal betting company logos 😉

        1. Nuka Girl
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          You going for fancy space age graphics or crappy 1980's style ones? Sorry *retro not crappy.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yep, straight up....

  9. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    10 points from my gks so far this season...

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Humble brag...

  10. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Why is everything getting Eze when he's the only one I'm thinking of shipping?

    1. Ibralicious
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Underlying stats and only 6.3 (compared to Mbuemo and co that have skyrocketed). And he's got Fulham and Nottingham coming up

      On FPL's ICT Index alone he's 6th or 7th. Could come good and can't complain for that price

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Hope you're right, I've hung on this long and got nothing lol

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Great player but Edouard is the one getting the points.

      Olise being out for a bit longer means that creativity burden (and marking...) gets focused on him.

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Hold or sell?

  11. Ibralicious
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Best Martinelli replacement with a FT? Bit tricky since all have different pros and cons:

    A) Martinelli —> Maddison (exact funds, best player, horrible fixtures if WCing GW9-10)
    B) Martinelli —> Mbuemo (best fixtures till a possible GW10 WC)
    C) Martinelli —> Eze (allows funds to do Morris —> Alvarez after his double in GW7)

    Cheers!

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B, but C makes sense to get Alverez

    2. JoeSoap
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Probably B

  12. JoeSoap
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    A. Def>Botman
    B. Jackson>Alvarez
    C. Eze>Mbeumo + B
    D. A + B
    E. Other/WC

    2FTs & 0.4 in bank

    Johnstone
    Henry (?), Chilwell, Estupinan
    Saka, Maddison, Rashford, Mitoma, Eze
    Haakand, Jackson
    Turner, Watkins, Cash, Kabore

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      B

  13. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Such a shame for Rico Henry. Has been great the last year and was on an upwards trajectory. Outside chance (still, unlikely) of being in the England squad for Euros.

    The only positive, and it's not much of one, is that with the injury occurring now he should hopefully start to come back into the frame for the start of preseason/next season (ACL injury often around 9 months before RTP?)

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Gout is always a terrible affliction. Let’s hope he recovers quickly with a leafy green-based diet!

  14. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    1 FT

    Thinking about saving transfer.

    Leno
    Trippier, Chilwell, Estupinian
    Saka, Son, Maddison, Mbuemo, Bruno
    Haaland, Alvarez

    Subs: Turner, Udogie, Cash, Archer

    Thoughts?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Save or time to launch Bruno?

  15. pokern1nja09
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Kabore or Mads Anderson on wildcard?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Neither for me, thanks...

  16. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    a city defender in the scout picks again because maybe he'll have been subbed off before forest score from their one chance in the 72nd minute after being 4 nil down . its going to happen. you know it will.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yep, taxes, death and this

  17. 2001: A Space Origi
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I've created a CL team on Uefa, is there any leagues I can join you know of?

  18. 2001: A Space Origi
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    REPOST as did not get a reply, can anyone help? - I've created a CL team on Uefa, is there any leagues I can join you know of?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I joined, but have no idea if i’m in a league!

  19. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Johnstone
    Udogie-Chillwell-Dias-estu
    Sterling-Bruno-Saka-Maddi-Foden
    Haaland

    Pedro-Kabore-mubama

    2FT. Which option do you prefer please?

    a) Chilwell + Bruno > Botman + Salah
    b) Chilwell + Foden/sterling/bruno > Trips + Mbuemo
    C) Chilwell + Foden + Pedro > Trips + Mbuemo + Alvarez (-4)