Champions League
16 September 2024 121 comments
Ed (General Manager) Ed (General Manager)
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The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign 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.

Here, Ed, another one of our European football experts and a co-host of the official UCL Fantasy podcast, gives us his Matchday 1 team reveal.


SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE


I absolutely love UCL Fantasy. In the last month, I have recorded 13 podcast episodes for the ‘UEFA Fantasy Podcast’, a YouTube Matchday 1 video, and a six-minute whistle-stop tour of everything you need to know here

I’ve spent hours trawling through the qualified teams looking for those bargains that unlock a team’s spending potential and my team below is the result. 

Those of you who follow me on X (all three of you) will know, I’m not the best FPL manager. I make impulsive decisions based on my gut, and have a great time, but ultimately have no impressive rank to speak of.

My UCL Fantasy record, however, is up there with some of the best:

  • 2020/2021 = 860th
  • 2021/2022 = 777th
  • 2022/2023 = 30k 
  • 2023/2024 = 2968th

That, of course, doesn’t mean I’ll necessarily get it right this season, but whereas I’d never consider giving genuine advice to proper FPL managers, I feel comfortable doing it for this game. 

Here’s my team; below I’ll talk about each pick.

CHIP STRATEGY

An essential piece of information, before you look at my team, is that I’ll be using my Wildcard in Matchday 4 or 5 and my Limitless in Matchday 8.

I’ll talk more about that below but you need to have a loose idea on what you’re doing before the Matchday 1 deadline, as it will dictate how you set up your team. 

Ed’s Matchday 1 Team Reveal



121 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. _Greg
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Any news on Isak's eye injury?

    1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      People are saying he failed the eye test.

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        :mrgreen:

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

    Evening lads, who would you start out of these 3?

    A. Lewis
    B. Robinson
    C. Greaves

    Cheers for any replies!

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I'd say Greaves. They were solid last game and Southampton are quite poor. Might even get a set piece goal!

  3. FootballRookie
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Is it time to move away from Muniz?

    Raul, DCL, Wood, Havertz???

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes.

      DCL's long term fixtures are excellent, he was a 7.5m type striker once upon a time before injury struck. He's also out of contract, which has proven to be an excellent motivating factor for players in the past. Best case scenario he could get a move to a Spurs type club on a free if he does well this year.

      1. Mom, Butters just gave me a…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        DCL up to GW 10 and then Strand Larsen.

      2. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Does the complete lack of form of the whole team not bother you? I have Isak but I am between Watkins and DCL but Everton’s form worries me

    2. tbos83
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Vardy also a good shout

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        He's still relatively quick for a 37 year old to be fair.

    3. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Havertz in GW6 if you can get there without too many sacrifices.

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I'm a satisfied Havertz owner already myself.

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yeah he's probably done well for you so far.

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            can't wait to get Haaland in gw7 then my gw1 team will be fairly optimum really.

            1. panda07
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Yep, hopefully the next two game weeks go our way!

              1. _Greg
                • 15 Years
                1 year, 2 months ago

                yeahhhhh!!!

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I ran to DCL

  4. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    cant see the trees for the wood

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I took your advice and became less intimidating.

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        you don't need to, i just don't understand why.

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I'm a 41 year old man now. 16 year old me decided 'Evilfuk' was a great online name, it's my email address, username on multiple sites, playstation gamer tag and so on. Basically the game my gravatar is from Shining Force 2, the maximum characters you could use to rename Bowie was 7. So Evilfuk has kinda been me since 1998 really.

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

            you still play any games?

            1. _Greg
              • 15 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              Destiny 2, Black Ops 3 zombies. Lots of Destiny 2. On Xbox though GT: 'Daggy X'.

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

                wow, never expected any gamers on here, i stopped personally but used to play similar games

                1. have you seen cyan
                  • 6 Years
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  jesus christ we aren't that old. I would own like 97% of people here in cod, not having not played in 10 years.

                  1. have you seen cyan
                    • 6 Years
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    edit comment/

                  2. _Greg
                    • 15 Years
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    I wasn't too bad at cod4, mw2 and black ops 2. I wasn't some bummer camper though, it would be full sprint around the map with a ump45 or mp7 ha.

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

                      I miss those days so much

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

                        Mw2 was special

                      2. _Greg
                        • 15 Years
                        1 year, 2 months ago

                        ninja pro no footsteps, sometimes with fully upgraded tactical knife ha.

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

                        The maps man. Favela, highrise, wasteland etc

                        Just perfection

                      4. _Greg
                        • 15 Years
                        1 year, 2 months ago

                        high rise, one man army pro, noob tube, hilarious.

                2. _Greg
                  • 15 Years
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  I'm slowing down. My mate wanted me to do a grandmaster nightfall earlier but just felt too tired! My Destiny lifetime hours over both games over ten years are in the region of 20,000 hours though. Mt second GT is 'Evil Frost', few more hours on there if somebody cared enough to check timewastedondestiny.com ha

                  1. Bushwhacker
                    • 6 Years
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    I’ve been making games for 36 years. Still play em too!

                    1. _Greg
                      • 15 Years
                      1 year, 2 months ago

                      You should probably get in touch with Mark Sutherns!

                      1. Bushwhacker
                        • 6 Years
                        1 year, 2 months ago

                        Did projects with Creative Assembley when they were … well Tim.

  5. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Sels (Vald)
    Porro Gabriel Robinson (Munoz, Barco)
    ESR Jota Mitoma Salah (Carvalho)
    Pedro Haaland Isak

    Good start 330k OR. 0.2 ITB & 1FT, wildcarding GW6. If one of Pedro or Isak sounds like they are starting would you role and just rely on Munoz off the bench if need be. 2 FT after wildcard then

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      yes fixtures are OK.

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Thanks 9 home fixtures, just need at least one of the strikers to start and I'll roll

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I'm currently playing Joao Pedro and Isak, would expect both to be OK really given the available information.

  6. jimbe4mXL
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Any info on Saka? Chance he will play this GW?

    1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      He'll be fine. Arteta will start him against City even if he's done his ACL

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      He's rarely injured isn't he? Concerning. Wait for Arteta European midweek presser.

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

    who here actually plays football and what style would you describe yourself?

    im like a left footed dirk kuyt that wants to play like zidane

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      18 stone 6ft big lad left back with a rocket of a shot. Don't get to play anymore though unfortunately (because I'm lazy no other reason).

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Roberto Carlos without the speed haha.

      2. Mr 500
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Does sound a bit like me. Genuinely not blowing my own trumpet (I wasn't THAT good) but some of the long range goals I scored, wish to high heaven there had been cameras!

        1. _Greg
          • 15 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          haha. I just seem to have really large thighs for no reason, even when I was skinny(ish). Result, lot of power.

    2. Mr 500
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Played for years but now I'm ancient. I was pretty two footed so usually got put on the left, probably preferred it there anyway. Denis Irwin type but with longer hair and a bigger stomach.

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        What a player Denis Irwin was. Up there with Ashley Cole as the best left backs I've seen regularly in my lifetime.

        1. Mr 500
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 2 months ago

          And he wasn't even a left back, thats how good he was.

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            exactly. RB!

        2. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Mr reliable, legend!

    3. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I played last Tuesday. I'm like a skinny wrecking ball defender. I studded someone in the groin by accident in a meaty challenge and then went in rough for another tackle at pace and got smashed in the knee lol. I'd say I'm a skinny Vidic

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Nemanja was ace, he used to be expensive in FPL because of his set piece goals and Man Utd actually being good back then.

        1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Yeah quality centre back. Can't remember how good he was in FPL tho. My first FPL season was 2009/10 and I was only 11 then

          1. Mr 500
            • 1 Year
            1 year, 2 months ago

            He probably didn't score as many goals as you'd think. Maybe averaged 3 or 4 a season.

            Steve Bruce on the other hand would have been dynamite in FPL.

            1. _Greg
              • 15 Years
              1 year, 2 months ago

              I remember Jaap Stan being absolutely incredible in my 98-99 Yahoo fantasy team! Do you not remember when Vidic and Jonny Evans kept 14 successive clean sheets between them?

              1. Mr 500
                • 1 Year
                1 year, 2 months ago

                I remember in 2008/9 Van der Sar broke the clean sheet record, was it 8 or 9 games?

                Sram only ever scored one goal for Utd, last goal in a 6-2 win at Leicester in 99.

                1. _Greg
                  • 15 Years
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  So many clean sheets though.

                  1. Mr 500
                    • 1 Year
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    Less so in that treble season, we seemed to win most games 2-1 or 3-2.

                2. Mr 500
                  • 1 Year
                  1 year, 2 months ago

                  Stam even.

                  1. _Greg
                    • 15 Years
                    1 year, 2 months ago

                    it's entirely possible I'm talking about 99-00.

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

          people also forget how good vermaelen was at scoring goals for Arsenal, scored 8 and 6 in the seasons he wasnt injured

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Yes he looked incredible for a couple of years.

    4. GoonerSteve
      • 16 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Good feet for a big lad.

    5. Qaiss
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Ronaldo at Man United the second time

      Will score when given chances, very clinical but no pressing. Two injuries from football last year and decided to stop however

      1. Mr 500
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        What were the injuries?

    6. JBG
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      When I used to play in my younger years, I was mostly used as a right winger because my crossing and passing ability. But I was also used as a striker because I had a pretty good shot(long and 1 on 1) as well.

      My weakness was my stamina and work rate though haha.

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

        If I had to describe my style it would probably be, Beckham on the wing(cause I wasn't particularly fast and without the work rate) and Berbatov/Zlatan when playing striker.

        Far from the same talent ofc... just if I have to compare myself.

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

      ‘None Shall Pass’ shot stopping goalkeeper. Former outfield player so Bekker-esque with the sabatons! Once saved a penalty against a former Borussia Dortmund/Queens Park Rangers player.

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Im fancying a kick around now.

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

          Used to play masters football (over 35s) up until I was 51-52. But quality of player was very variable, broke a rib after an uncoordinated 35 year old young pup kick and giggle merchant cleaned me up in a one on one. That was me done, Maid Template wouldn’t let me play anymore.

          1. _Greg
            • 15 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Do you like Monty Python by any chance, Knight? :mrgreen:

          2. panda07
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            That's a big problem about playing football in later life, you can't legislate for uncoordinated pups!

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

              I’ve always played in first divisions so when you come up against two-left footed Elain Bennis-dancing-type players it’s no fun. So unpredictable!

    8. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Tricky winger with pace in my youth. 42 yr old with a beer gut now who has intended to "start training again soon and the gut will fall off" for a long while!

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        With pace until my hamstrings went!

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

          Lay off the bamboo!

          1. panda07
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 2 months ago

            Will try but it's so damn tasty!

      2. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        yep, 250lbs here. it was 285 a year ago so slowly getting it down.

        1. Mr 500
          • 1 Year
          1 year, 2 months ago

          I lost 6st between 2018 and 2021 but I've put at least half that back on.

          No need for it tbh.

    9. Tazah
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      love all the chat here lads - some good fpl prospects in here hahaa
      make sure you get back on the pitch soon, good for the physical but also the mental, take care of yourselves

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Good question Taz!

    10. Paul Psychic Octopus
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Well I'm 66 and still play 6-a-side on Wednesday evenings.

      Played competitively until I was 50 (as a striker).

      Now tend to hang about in midfield.
      I can honestly say that playing with people half, or even two thirds my age is still improving my technique. Learn so many tricks and moves I never knew existed when I was younger.

      1. Defcons are for Kinnear
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Well done. How are your knees coping? Do you play on artificial pitches?
        Many of my mates in their 30's packed it in on artificial pitches due to knee problems it gave

      2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Good stuff mate. We have a 58 year old guy that plays with us younger lads and he's still decent in midfield, got good ball control, passing ability and reads the game well

    11. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Can't run up and down the wing like I used so now I'm only up to ball playing CB like Pau Torres

    12. Defcons are for Kinnear
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I don't want to blow my own trumpet but I was like an Ali Dia type player in my hay day

      1. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Haha the stuff of football legend that story. I wonder where he is now?

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

        Blow that trumpet, I am!

  8. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    For gw6, Palmer + Pedro ->

    A) Mbeumo + Watkins

    B) Saka + DCL

    (I have Raya and Havertz already)

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

      A

    2. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I'd say A because then you could also get Gabriel later.

  9. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Parody Account Ed!!!

  10. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Pick 3 to start:

    A. Lewis - ARS (H)
    B. Robinson - NEW (H)
    C. Konsa - WOL (H)
    D. VdV - BRE (H)
    E. Faes - EVE (H)

    Currently on B,D,E

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      CDA

  11. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    I sold ESR for Semenyo last week in a rush of impulsive stupidity.

    Genuinely wondering if I should reverse it, but Semenyo has Southampton after Liverpool, so seems like better to hold off.

    I'm thinking it might be time to lose Lewis, instead.

    Slightly tempted by Pedro to DCL, but mainly because I have exact money.

    Thoughts?

    Raya
    Konza, Robinson, Lewis
    Salah, Saka, Palmer, Semenyo, Rogers
    Pedro, Haaland

    (GK. Stewart, Faes, Harwood-Bellis)
    1ft. 0.3itb.

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I like the DCL move myself. history suggests it's sustainable with the fixtures to go along with. I can see why people are saying Vardy, maybe I'm being ageist!

  12. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Hi Ed, on a scale of 1-10, one being at peasant status and 10 being an aristocrat or royalty, how posh are you?!

    1. _Greg
      • 15 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I reckon Gianni Buttice and Ed would happily admit they are middle class.

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        The bourgeoisie of FPL :mrgreen:

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

      Well he has a hyphenated name!

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Is he related to Op-Ed?

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 2 months ago

          Mr. Ed

    3. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      He sees the FFS Community as all 1s, that's for sure.

      1. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        I see myself as a 1 too, peasant and proud!

    4. Hairy Potter
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      The clue is in the up turned collar.

  13. Tazah
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    its gonna feel so disgusting watching champions league on a thursday this week

    1. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Yes slagging opposing fans about being in the "Thursday night cup" is well and truly dead!

      1. _Greg
        • 15 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Haha yes new insults must be prepared!

      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Only for a week

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

      Bide your time

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Typical UEFA, don't give a monkeys about ruining well stablished fan songs.

      1. Mr 500
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 2 months ago

        Joking apart, what UEFA really don't care about is domestic leagues and cups, they just play when they want and to hell with anyone else.

        Yet the likes of Guardiola won't have the bottle to moan about that, no he'll moan about a few games over Christmas.

        Cash cow etc etc.

  14. UKG
    • 15 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Wissa to:

    Wood, DCL, Vardy, Duran ?

    Haaland and Pedro other strikers.

    Thanks

    1. ᶠᶦˡᵗʰʸLucre $$$
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      All a bit shite aren't they - I'd probably take a punt on DCL with his fixtures

    2. Pub Crawl to the Townsend
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      I find Wood and DCL boring picks personally. I know it's about points but don't really want uninspiring players in my team. Vardy is more fun and good fixtures (for Leicester) if he keeps getting the minutes. If Duran started every week next to Watkins he's my type of pick. But won't happen with UCL I don't think even tho he's in red hot form

  15. FPL Sanky
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 2 months ago

    Anyone captaining Watkins?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 2 months ago

      Many I think