The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League (UCL) continues on Tuesday – which means it’s also time for the competition’s official Fantasy game.
With plenty of UCL Fantasy articles coming throughout the season, our in-house expert FPL Reactions (aka Louis) picks out the most appealing assets of Matchday 3.
This is our Champions League version of our Scout Picks, done on a €100m budget.
But if you’re playing a chip this week, make sure to check out our best UCL Fantasy Wildcard + Limitless teams for Matchday 3.
If you’re new to the game or need reminding of the rules, check out our ‘how to play’ guide below.
There’s also a fixture ticker put together by Louis – and don’t forget to sign up to our mini-league to win prizes!
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UCL FANTASY MATCHDAY 3
GOALKEEPERS
- Yann Sommer (€4.5m) – He remains one of the best options in the game. Inter maintained one of the best defences in last season’s Champions League and they’ve already racked up a huge seven clean sheets in all competitions. Sommer is the cheapest and most reliable route into their backline, in terms of game-time, and is about to face Salzburg.
- Janis Blaswich (€4.5m) – The lack of convincing Wednesday options between the sticks is a concern. However, Leipzig could have the most clean sheet potential when against Crvena Zvezda. Taking into account the opponent, being at home and his price point, Blaswich’s stock rises.
DEFENDERS
- David Raum (€4.5m) – Finding budget defenders could also prove difficult this week but we’re going to need them when fitting in the more expensive assets. At least we know Raum takes Leipzig’s corners, which boosts his already massive assist potential. In terms of output, the German full-back has already accumulated four goal involvements in all competitions in 2023/24, including a Matchday 1 assist.
- Denzel Dumfries (€5.5m) – Inter’s back-three system makes their wing-backs some of the best options around. Dumfries loves to advance and get into some very dangerous positions. So far this season, for both club and country, the Dutchman has produced a massive nine attacking returns.
- Giovanni Di Lorenzo (€5.5m) – Napoli may have shown recent defensive instabilities but the return of some first-team names is a huge boost. It also makes a clean sheet more likely here, when they face a Union Berlin side that has lost their last eight matches in all competitions. Di Lorenzo offers significant offensive potential as well, with five attacking returns for club and country so far.
- Fabian Schar (€4.5m) – Newcastle United currently have one of Europe’s best defences, having secured six clean sheets in their last eight games. It comes up against Dortmund, who have failed to find the net in both UCL encounters. Schar is a cheap way into the Magpies’ backline and racked up more 2022/23 goal attempts than any other Premier League defender.
- Joao Cancelo (€6.0m) – Barcelona have shown early signs that they can get close to last season’s domestic clean sheet tally of 26. They’ve already banked two in this competition. Cancelo is offering a lot more than just clean sheet potential, delivering three goals and one assist.
MIDFIELDERS
- Jude Bellingham (€7.6m) – Real Madrid enter Matchday 3 with huge confidence after winning their first two. Up next is Braga, who have leaked multiple goals in both matches. The most efficient route into the Real attack is Bellingham, having managed consecutive double-digit UCL hauls.
- Marcus Thuram (€6.5m) – With seven wins from nine and a huge 24 goals, Inter sit at the top of Serie A. Opponents Salzburg are dominant in their domestic league but fell apart at the back during Matchday 2’s clash with Real Sociedad. With that in mind, Thuram’s cheap price and out-of-position potential combine to make him an easy selection.
- Leroy Sane (€9.1m) – Bayern regularly average over three goals per game both domestically and in Europe, making their frontline one of the best to invest in. German international Sane is integral to their attack and seems to shine in Europe. He has 17 attacking returns from the last two Champions League campaigns.
- Rodri (€6.6m) – Similarly, Manchester City also maintain an average of three goals per game. Rodri may not be the most prolific player in terms of output but he offers a cheap and reliable way into this ruthless attack. The Spaniard isn’t exactly shy of offensive output either, bagging six goal contributions in all competitions this season.
- Xavi Simons (€6.5m) – Leipzig showed what they can do to a weaker defence in Matchday 1, sweeping aside Young Boys in a 3-1 victory. They can repeat that against Crvena Zvezda, as the return of Dani Olmo is a big one that will undoubtedly improve the output of their other attackers. So it could be wise to stick with Simons, as the Dutch talent is on seven attacking Bundesliga returns.
FORWARDS
- Harry Kane (€10.0m) – Although Galatasaray looks tough on paper, Bayern’s opponents have conceded two in each of these opening matches. Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane not only takes his side’s penalties but has also collected close to 20 goal contributions for club and country this season. Additionally, Kane is a fantastic Tuesday captaincy option.
- Erling Haaland (€11.5m) – Things haven’t recently been plain sailing for the Norwegian but it’s worth remembering how relentless he usually is. Ending with a whopping 60+ goal contributions in his debut Man City season is no easy feat and it also emphasises how explosive he can be in UCL Fantasy. Haaland is on penalties and could be a brilliant Wednesday captain against Young Boys.
- Alvaro Morata (€7.5m) – Scottish champions Celtic regularly ship goals at European level and they’ve highlighted themselves as a team to target. Taking advantage of this could be Morata, who leads the Atletico attack and has notched 12 goals for club and country this season.
CAPTAINCY
TUESDAY
Remember that you can have two captains this week, one for each night. On Tuesday, the early kick-offs could be the best place to utilise the armband through Bayern and Inter, as managers can check their line-ups before the deadline.
As mentioned, Bayern maintain a high average of goals and Harry Kane leads this lethal attack, has great form and takes penalties. However, Leroy Sane could also be a very good pick. As a midfielder, his goals are worth one more point and he can earn another through a clean sheet.
For those looking to be a bit riskier with the armband, Inter wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco (€5.5m) have also produced excellent attacking output this campaign.
WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, the captaincy options become more limited. Erling Haaland remains the standout name due to his explosiveness, penalties and seemingly lesser opponent. Other ideas include team-mate Julian Alvarez (€7.1m) – in better form than Haaland – or an Atletico attacker versus Celtic, either Alvaro Morata or Antoine Griezmann (€10.5m).
UCL FANTASY MATCHDAY 3 PICKS
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