Champions League
16 September 2025 144 comments
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We’ve put together a comprehensive list of potential set-piece and penalty takers ahead of the start of UEFA Champions League (UCL) Fantasy 2025/26.

To do this, we’ve been drawing on the set-piece data from sources like WhoScored, Transfermarkt and Fbref, as well as our good old Members Area.

These are only educated (and data-led) guesses, of course – the managers might have different ideas come the big kick-off.

UCL FANTASY: PENALTY + SET-PIECE TAKERS

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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READ MORE UCL CONTENT – AND JOIN OUR MINI-LEAGUE!

There’s plenty more content to read ahead of tonight’s Matchday 1 deadline. You can find it all in our complete guide.

Don’t forget to join our mini-league, too, to win prizes!

And remember that you can now get exclusive Statsbomb data for the Champions League with us to help with your UCL Fantasy planning – so there are lots of reasons to join the hundreds of thousands of managers signing up to our site in 2025/26.


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  1. MetallicaJack93
    • 2 Years
    7 months, 20 hours ago

    Would you consider playing a back 5 every week? Having a bad start and on WC. Mix of defcons/good fixtures/attacking.

    Thinking

    VVD Gab Tark Senesi ?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 20 hours ago

      Keep those four + a 4.0 defender. Two WCs + two FHs allow us more room to experiment.

      1. MetallicaJack93
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 20 hours ago

        Thanks

    2. Brosstan
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 20 hours ago

      I wish I had my WC, would definitely go for 4 Def Con monsters + 4.0 (plenty of good options) and then perma cap Haaland.

      1. MetallicaJack93
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 20 hours ago

        Which Def Con monsters would you go for?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 20 hours ago

          Mepham x4

    3. Pariße
      • 11 Years
      7 months, 19 hours ago

      I have 5 premium DefCon monsters at the back after WC. Some surgey will be needed to perhaps fit in Palmer, but I scored 93 last gameweek. Every defender icnluding the GK got a clean sheet.

    4. MJF
        7 months, 19 hours ago

        No, but I would play 4-4-2. Have rotating trio of 2x 4.5 and a 4.0 you can play two of each week.

    5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      7 months, 20 hours ago

      Does this look ok?

      Sels
      VDV Diouf Rodon Esteve
      Salah Gakpo Semenyo Reijnders
      Haaland Watkins

      Dubravka Gulu DeCuyper I.Sarr

      1. MetallicaJack93
        • 2 Years
        7 months, 20 hours ago

        Not convinced by Sels, Diouf or Watkins but rest is good

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 19 hours ago

          Thanks. They have been in my team since GW1. Have had other fires to put out.

      2. Bobby Crush
        • 11 Years
        7 months, 19 hours ago

        Would do JP for Watkins.
        Sels needs shifting too.
        And our defense needs an upgrade.
        Maybe sell Salah to finance?

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          7 months, 19 hours ago

          Good points. Thanks. But cannot do them all with 1 FT. Planning Johnson to Semenyo this week.

          1. Bobby Crush
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 19 hours ago

            Good move that.

    6. Egg Fried Reus 69
      • 8 Years
      7 months, 20 hours ago

      opinions on this WC draft boys
      Raya
      Gabriel Lacriox Vdv Sensei Rodon
      Gakpo Semenyo Kudus Ndiaye Reijnders
      Haaland Pedro Ekitike

      Currently got 2m in the bank, just waiting for the ekitike to isak upgrade when minutes are solidified

      1. Raoul Nogues
          7 months, 19 hours ago

          What if it is Gakpo dropping out of Liverpool squad when Isak comes in ?

        • Bobby Crush
          • 11 Years
          7 months, 19 hours ago

          Not convinced on
          Kudus, Gakpo, Ekitike.
          Rest is good.

          Would go Gyokeres for Ekitike.

      2. Gazza1993
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        7 months, 20 hours ago

        What are the key windows people are looking at for WC? And how does the 5 free transfers before afcon effect this?

        I'm seeing GW 6,8,13 any others? Trying to plan out my chip strategy

      3. Bobby Digital
        • 8 Years
        7 months, 20 hours ago

        Mbeumo or Xavi + 1.1m?

        1. Holmes
          • 12 Years
          7 months, 19 hours ago

          Easy Xavi

          1. Pariße
            • 11 Years
            7 months, 19 hours ago

            I'm not so sure about that. Mbuemo's getting really good underlying stats despite United's struggles. Donnarumma had tu pull a worldie to keep him out too.

        2. Moon Dog
            7 months, 19 hours ago

            Mbeumo

        3. MetallicaJack93
          • 2 Years
          7 months, 20 hours ago

          WC

          Raya Dub
          Gab VVD Tark Senesi Rodon
          Palmer Semenyo ???? King Devenny
          Haaland Gyok Pedro

          Best mid up to 6.8mil? Currently on Grealish

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 19 hours ago

            Probably Grealish

          2. Bobby Digital
            • 8 Years
            7 months, 19 hours ago

            Remember that Grealish can't play in GW8 though

        4. Moon Dog
            7 months, 20 hours ago

            How do you think Gordon will do this season? I've been impressed by his performances for club and country, and his underlying data has been strong too. Some nice fixtures GW7 onwards...

            1. Pariße
              • 11 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              Quality pick. He was perfect when he was on penalties for the past 3 gameweeks, but then got suspended at the first opportunity.

          • AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            7 months, 20 hours ago

            On a v quick look, if you were on a wildcard the Sunderland and Burnley goalkeeper rotate okay in Gw9, 11 and 14.

            Would you consider Dub & Roefs for £8.5m?

            I only looked at it because I'm short by 0.5m for Pickford.

            1. Chinese_person
              • 14 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              Id try and find the 0.5m

            2. MJF
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Yeah, highly doubt 5.5 keepers will prove their worth. Roefs is already doing well.

              • The Mentaculus
                • 4 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Yeah that looks good to me. I got Roefs on my WC too (last week)

            3. FPL Sanky
              • 2 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              Thoughts on this WC draft. Just not sure about the Rogers pick but can't see any better mids up to 7m

              Raya Dubravka
              Virgil Senesi Tarkow Lacroix Andersen
              Semenyo Grealish Xavi Caicedo Rogers**
              Haaland Gyokeres J.Pedro

              1. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                I'd pick Pickford in goal.

                Tark is a good call.

                Try to get 0.5m for Rogers to Eze.

                I quickly selected the below, not too far off in midfield and attack.

                1. FPL Sanky
                  • 2 Years
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  Eze is a good call but I am just not sure about his mins....he won't play 90 anytime....Tark is better than Pickford and Raya is the cheapest way to get into the ARS defense.

                  I think Rogers is the only one who won't make it into my final team.... Rest all are locks for me

              2. Chinese_person
                • 14 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                People are taking hits to get Rogers out and you're including him on WC?!

                1. The Bandit
                  • 15 Years
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  He will surely come good.

                2. FPL Sanky
                  • 2 Years
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  Do you have any better alternative up to 7m? As I said, Rogers is the only one I am not sure about

                  1. The Bandit
                    • 15 Years
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    Stick to your guns if you think he will do well. He’s a quality player and you should pick based on the future, not the past.

                    1. Pariße
                      • 11 Years
                      7 months, 18 hours ago

                      You should gather data from the past to predict the future. Villa have demonstrated they intend to struggle with goals. 🙂

            4. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              I've just looked and I can do this wildcard now, keeping 5 players from my current squad.

              Dub Roefs
              Muñoz Senesi VDV Andersen Estève
              Palmer Semenyo Eze Grealish Caicedo
              Haaland Gyökeres Pedro

              As I say, 10 new players in. Don't have any left itb for Isak later on. Should I wait a few weeks or go this week?

            5. Pep Roulette
              • 8 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              Arsenal have the best fixtures GW7 onwards. Which triple Arsenal would you go for?

              1. Chinese_person
                • 14 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Raya, Gab, Gyok

              2. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Gabriel
                Eze
                Gyok

                Saka when he's back ... But that's tough with Palmer and a premium.

              3. Pariße
                • 11 Years
                7 months, 18 hours ago

                Gabriel (or Calafiori), Eze, Gyok

                Raya is class, but I've never liked having him when they're so strong from corners. The defenders are likely to get on the scoresheet, while Raya won't get too many save points either.

            6. FDMS All Starz
              • 10 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              Thoughts on the following plan for the next 3gws?

              (1FT)
              Sanchez Dubravka
              Munoz Andersen Rodon Williams Dorgu
              Salah Bruno Reijnders Semenyo Kudus
              Mateta Wood Watkins

              GW5: Roll FT
              GW6: Salah/Mateta —> Ndiaye/Haaland (free) - potential BB?
              GW7: Wood —> Gyokores (free - exact funds)

              Afraid price rises/drops could mess this up, should I make the gw6 transfer now? Or downgrade Ndiaye?

            7. FPL Virgin
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              A dozen champions league articles in a row and not one comment below them about anything other than FPL.

              Scout: "Well done, boys. Good process."

              1. The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                When you go to the supermarket, just avoid the aisles, tis where the processed rubbish is. Simply stick to the edges for the fruit &veges, meat, seafood and poultry, and the dairy.

                1. The Knights Template
                  • 12 Years
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  I only go down the aisles when I’m looking for spices and extra virgin………..olive oil! Huzzah!

                  1. FPL Virgin
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 9 Years
                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                    First pressing, I hope?

                    Why wait until everyone else has had their fun with the olives?

              2. AC/DC AFC
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 10 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Plenty of comments earlier about Champions League picks.

              3. The Mentaculus
                • 4 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Quite a few UCL comments today if you'd actually bothered to check

                1. FPL Virgin
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                  C'mon The MentaMucus.

                  99% of the comments are about FPL and yet we've had little to no content about FPL in recent days. It's been disproportionately weighed towards UCL given the interest in the game on the boards. I sense a corporate partnership obligation.

                  1. The Mentaculus
                    • 4 Years
                    7 months, 17 hours ago

                    There's always been an audience for UCL fantasy here and these are the same articles they put out every year. It's not like when they were pushing the Saudi league fantasy...

              4. Pariße
                • 11 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Might make

                1. Pariße
                  • 11 Years
                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                  ...an UCL team just to waste more time at work 😆

            8. MetallicaJack93
              • 2 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              WC finalised

              Raya Dub
              VVD Gab Tark Senesi Rodon
              Palmer Semenyo Reijnders Caicedo King
              Haaland Gyokeres Pedro

            9. Al Pacho
              • 4 Years
              7 months, 19 hours ago

              How’s this WC draft ?

              Raya
              Munoz VDV Andersen
              Grealish Reijnders Semenyo Mbeumo
              JP Haaland Isak

              Bench : Dub Rogers Konsa Esteve

              1. Von Lipwig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                VDV decent pick. but don't expect consistent returns. Spurs will conced and he won't get attacking return soften. Isak still feels too ealy. Reijnders is typical for his price (ignore GW1 and he is doins nothing). Man U are rubbish, not sure Mbuemo is a real option IMO.

                1. MJF
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    But apart from all that it looks good?

                    1. Von Lipwig
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      7 months, 19 hours ago

                      Raya and Haaland from GW7 good picks 🙂

              2. Von Lipwig
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                7 months, 19 hours ago

                Save FT? GW7 bring in Palmer and Arsenal is the plan.

                Petrovic
                VVD Cucurella Guehi
                Semenyo Gakpo Grealish Kudus
                Pedro Haaland Ekitike

                (Dubravka/LeFee/Senesi/Gudmundson) with 2.8m left ITB

              3. MJF
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  I am not loving the idea of either Gakpo or Ekitike on WC, I've owned the latter since GW1 but the early subs and rotation just too big a risk for both now IMO with Isak and the CL starting.

                  1. Von Lipwig
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    I have both, but not convinced by either, Oddly Gakpo makes more sense. Who elso will play that left side? This is not a wildcard. 1 FT with 2.8itb

                  2. Brosstan
                    • 11 Years
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    I agree. Its hard to just ignore Liverpool attack if you are on WC though. Optimally just wait until Isak has nailed down the starting position and have him but who knows how long time that will take. Im looking at Ekitike in my team and Im not feeling great about owning him.

                  3. Von Lipwig
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 7 Years
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    Liverpool attack feeling like old school city attack. Yeah they're good, but who kows where the points are cpoming from

                • Guybrush Threepwood
                  • 16 Years
                  7 months, 19 hours ago

                  Bringing forward my WC plan by a week after another disappointing GW and needing to move on from Watkins, Wirtz, Johnson to name just a few.

                  Any thoughts appreciated on this WC draft - 0.0 ITB

                  Raya, Dubravka
                  Virgil, Van de Ven, Senesi, Lacroix, Rodon
                  Fernandes, Semenyo, Reijnders, Ndiaye, Kudus
                  Haaland, J Pedro, Gyokeres

                  Only one I'm not sure of 100% is Fernandes but nobody else is really jumping out

                  1. Podorsky
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 16 Years
                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                    I would go Mbueno rather than Fernandes if I was to choose a United player.

                  2. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
                    • 11 Years
                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                    - Donnarumma over Raya?
                    - Fernandes (wouldn't touch Utd atm)
                    - Kudus (decent fixtures coming up)
                    - Downgrade one of the front 8, Reijnders?
                    - Grealish (over Ndiaye - everything going through him)
                    - No Salah (understandable)
                    - No Liverpool attack

                • MJF
                    7 months, 19 hours ago

                    In my opinion FWIW I would not have that much money on the bench and I also do not believe 5.5 for a keeper will prove value, so I would save some cash on fifth mid and keeper leaving me some money to go Pedro -> Isak if needed, perhaps.

                    1. MJF
                        7 months, 18 hours ago

                        FFS

                    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                      • 9 Years
                      7 months, 19 hours ago

                      Any Champions League Fantasy league that I can join?

                    3. davewg59
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      7 months, 19 hours ago

                      Would it be totally silly to bring Haaland in this week at the expense of Salah?

                      1. Camzy
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 15 Years
                        7 months, 18 hours ago

                        Yes imo. Just wait until next week. If there's any game he won't get much in, it's this one.

                      2. z13
                          7 months, 18 hours ago

                          I'd say no because you never know with Merseyside Derby

                        • z13
                            7 months, 18 hours ago

                            Arsenal don't have Saliba though

                            1. Tonyawesome69
                              • 7 Years
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              Saliba trained yesterday and travelled with the squad for UCL game

                        • Jordan.
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 16 Years
                          7 months, 18 hours ago

                          rip robert redford,he made some jolly good films,one of my favorites is the sting

                        • Camzy
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 15 Years
                          7 months, 18 hours ago

                          Reluctant roll this week.

                          Would you do the bench/starting XI any different?

                          Sels
                          Porro Murillo Lacroix, Rodon
                          Salah Gakpo Semenyo
                          Pedro Ekitike Watkins
                          (Dubravka Sarr Reijnders Tosin)

                          Plan would be to either do Salah + Watkins > Haaland + Palmer next week for free or WC.

                          1. Tonyawesome69
                            • 7 Years
                            7 months, 18 hours ago

                            Probably fine as it is, maybe bump up Tosin to 2md sub with potential defcon

                        • Tommyboy
                          • 15 Years
                          7 months, 18 hours ago

                          As an FPL veteran I SHOULD know this but want to double check... I currently have 1 FT which I'm likely to save this GW. If I W/C next GW (in GW 6) does that unused transfer roll, so for GW 7 I'd have two?

                          I'm 99% sure the answer is yes but wanna check with you legends. Thanks

                          1. Camzy
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 15 Years
                            7 months, 18 hours ago

                            Yes.

                          2. Jordan.
                            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                            • 16 Years
                            7 months, 18 hours ago

                            it does tommy,the best way to think about chips is just count them as one normal transfer,it then becomes simple to get your head round it.

                          3. z13
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              When playing a Wildcard, any saved free transfers are maintained. If you had 2 saved free transfers, you will still have 2 saved free transfers the following Gameweek.
                              (official website)

                            • Brosstan
                              • 11 Years
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              It makes sense to be confused as a veteran because WC used to reset your free transfers.

                              But not the answer is yes, they roll.

                            • Tonyawesome69
                              • 7 Years
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              2FTs in GW7 - You don't gain or lose FTs when using WC/FH.

                              "Please note that when playing either a Wildcard or your Free Hit chip, any saved free transfers are retained for the following Gameweek. If you had 2 saved free transfers, you will still have 2 saved free transfers the Gameweek after playing the chip."

                              https://fantasy.premierleague.com/help/rules

                            • Tommyboy
                              • 15 Years
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              Thank you team!

                          4. z13
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              Will Richarlison start Premier League games normally or is Tel taking over do you think

                              1. ☈☾
                                • 8 Years
                                7 months, 18 hours ago

                                Avoid. They have Kolo as well. And Solanke should be back too in a few weeks

                            • sirmorbach
                              • 9 Years
                              7 months, 18 hours ago

                              Hi all. Should I WC this lot? Thanks.

                              2 FT, £3.9 itb.

                              Sels / Dúbravka
                              Gabriel, Porro, De Cuyper / Estève, Rodon
                              Salah, Wirtz, Rogers, Kudus, Reijnders
                              Gyökeres, Pedro / Guiu

                              1. Bobby Digital
                                • 8 Years
                                7 months, 18 hours ago

                                Team is fine imo. Just take out Wirtz for Semenyo

                              2. Miguel Sanchez
                                • 9 Years
                                7 months, 18 hours ago

                                Reijinders to Semenyo and then WC next GW

                              3. z13
                                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                                  Start Rodon and Wirtz to Semenyo/ Mbuemo punt

                              4. Miguel Sanchez
                                • 9 Years
                                7 months, 18 hours ago

                                Captain:

                                A) Palmer (man)
                                B) Semenyo (NEW)

                                1. Bobby Digital
                                  • 8 Years
                                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                                  B

                                2. z13
                                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                                    A because Newcastle have lowest xGC
                                    And think about how much xGC that Ngumoha goal cost, they are way above anyone

                                    1. Miguel Sanchez
                                      • 9 Years
                                      7 months, 18 hours ago

                                      True but potentially tired legs after Thursday night exertions against Barca

                                      I do think Palmer should get a lot of space between the lines at OT assuming he gets through the Bayern game unscathed

                                  • Stranger Mings
                                    • 5 Years
                                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                                    B

                                3. Bobby Digital
                                  • 8 Years
                                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                                  Who is more nailed out of Mukiele and Alderete?

                                  1. ☈☾
                                    • 8 Years
                                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                                    We won’t know until Ballard is back

                                4. ☈☾
                                  • 8 Years
                                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                                  Richards or Guehi?

                                  1. Sun God Nika
                                    • 5 Years
                                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                                    Either will tick a box
                                    Would lean Guehi

                                  2. Stranger Mings
                                    • 5 Years
                                    7 months, 18 hours ago

                                    G

                                5. Sun God Nika
                                  • 5 Years
                                  7 months, 18 hours ago

                                  Got 2 FT

                                  Sels (Dubravka)
                                  Milenkovic Cucurella Porro (Rodon Esteve)
                                  Reindeer Bruno Kudus Semenyo (King)
                                  Haaland Wood Etikike

                                  Probably worth just rolling at this at this point?

                                  Will probably get in ars def after nottingham forest plays burnley and Isak + Saka or Palmer