Champions League
26 January 2026 338 comments
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Matchday 8 marks the final round of the league phase, and it could prove decisive for UCL Fantasy managers. In this article, our experts share their current team reveals and outline their early plans ahead of the deadline.

All drafts remain flexible, with strategies likely to change once full line-ups become available later this week.


@Big4FPL

 

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NOTES

  • Heading into the final fixtures of the league phase, I’ve slipped just outside the top 1k and will be aiming to climb back inside after this Matchday.
  • My planned moves currently involve moving on Scott McTominay and Estêvão, replacing them with two attacking punts – unless team news presents clearer or more appealing options once line-ups drop. Defensively, I’m hopeful the back line is already settled.
  • In midfield, my shortlist is likely to come from Arsenal, Liverpool or Barcelona, though final decisions will again depend on confirmed starting XIs.

@SilentBats

NOTES

  • After Matchday 7, I’m sitting on a solid green arrow, moving from 2.6k to 1.9k overall.
  • At this stage, I’m leaning towards activating the Wildcard, though there’s still a chance I hold it back if my free transfers allow me to put together a strong starting XI.
  • This is my current draft, should I decide to use the chip once line-ups are confirmed tomorrow.
  • Good luck to everyone – may your arrows stay green.

@Super__Saud

NOTES

  • Team news will play a major role in shaping my decisions this week.
  • If Harry Kane starts, I’ll keep him and look to move Michael Olise on for Gabriel Martinelli. Should Kane be benched, I’ll sell him instead and bring Kenan Yıldız into the XI in place of Olise.
  • At the back, I’m planning to replace Dayot Upamecano, with Nuno Mendes and Alejandro Grimaldo currently the leading options.
  • Captaincy remains wide open, though the armband is provisionally on Raphinha.

@FplRossoneri

NOTES

  • For the final matchday of the UCL Fantasy group stage, I’ll be holding all transfers until full line-ups are confirmed.
  • My current thinking is to target the starting Arsenal assets. As it stands, Viktor Gyökeres and Myles Lewis-Skelly come in for Serhou Guirassy and Jurrien Timber, who appears to be carrying an injury concern.
  • Several other players remain on my radar, including Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, Julián Álvarez, Fermín López and Alejandro Grimaldo.
  • Captaincy is still up in the air, but it will likely come down to Harry Kane or Raphinha.

@TheCrisk

NOTES

  • This is the final week of the league phase, and I planned to use the Limitless chip here from the start – just like last season. The chance to dead-end my squad while seeing every confirmed line-up before making key decisions is too strong to ignore.
  • The current draft does not represent my final team. Instead, it shows the clubs and roles I want to target once team news lands.
  • Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid all stand out for fixtures. I am happy to triple up on the Gunners, as I expect their rotated side to have too much for Kairat at home. In attack, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappé feel close to essential if they start. I will include Erling Haaland if either forward misses out on the starting XI.
  • Barcelona also appeal. They need a result, so I fully expect to triple up once line-ups confirm.
  • In goal, I want a strong home fixture. Gianluigi Donnarumma fits that brief. I do not expect Galatasaray to score heavily in Manchester, even with Victor Osimhen involved. At the same time, no Manchester City defender tempts me this week.
  • Building the rest of the squad became much easier once I remembered that Matchday 8 only requires an XI, not the usual 15 players. That allowed room for a couple of punts.
  • Oscar Gloukh makes the shortlist after two consecutive double-digit hauls. Ajax host Olympiacos and arrive in strong European form. Derrick Luckassen also interests me. Pafos look more solid defensively than expected, and their match against Slavia could easily end 1-0 or 0-0.
  • I am still monitoring options from Tottenham, Atalanta and Paris Saint-Germain. For now, I do not plan to start any of them.

@hichemillo

NOTES

  • I scored 73 points last week but dropped to 4.6k overall. That makes it two disappointing Matchdays following a poor Matchday 5 Wildcard.
  • I still hold the Limitless chip and plan to activate it for Matchday 8. The fixtures look too good to ignore, with strong opportunities for Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, alongside Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen.
  • With only 11 players required, the chip feels closer to a Free Hit than a traditional Limitless.
  • In goal, I’ll go with David Raya alongside a budget option.
  • At the back, Alejandro Grimaldo, Gabriel Magalhães and Virgil van Dijk form the core, with two defenders covering the bench.
  • In midfield, I plan to select five from a strong pool that includes Raphinha, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Phil Foden, Vinícius Júnior, Mohamed Salah, Michael Olise, Mikel Merino, and Gabriel Martinelli.
  • Up front, I want all three premiums: Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé and Harry Kane.
  • I will wait for confirmed line-ups before activating the chip. Formation will likely be either 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.
  • Captaincy will be difficult to call, but I’m currently leaning towards an Arsenal defender or a Barcelona midfielder.

338 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. kysersosa
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Haaland likely to drop tonight....wow!

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      15.1 million

      Presumably it doesn't effect most people

  2. Hutchiniho
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Bruno G to 5.5 midfielder with Guiu to Thiago
    Or BG up to an 8.5mid?

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      BG to 8.5

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      8.5 mid

  3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Would you start

    A) Thiago (avl)
    B) Tarkowski (bha)

    Leaning A at the moment

    1. NZREDS
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      A

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      A

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 2 hours ago

        Cheers, guys!

  4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Save FT?

    Raya
    Timber Nunes Mukiele
    Saka Fernandes Semenyo Rogers LeFee
    Haaland Mane

    Dubravka DCL VVD Rodon

  5. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Is gusto or white too risky picks?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      Yes

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 3 hours ago

        Ok cheets. Need a short term def up to 5.2

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          1 day, 2 hours ago

          Guehi Cash Senesi

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 5 Years
            1 day, 2 hours ago

            Cheers

  6. Atimis
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 3 hours ago

    Is Chalo that obvious over VVD, actually worth FT?

    1) Play VVD
    2) VVD to Chalo/other def(?)
    3) Dorgu to Sunderland def, bench VVD

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 3 hours ago

      2

  7. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Any update on Bruno G?

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      on the bench tonight

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Palmer...

    A) Keep
    B) —> Mbeumo

    1. Traction Engine Foot
      • 8 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Benched tonight so seems promising for a start against West Ham?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 9 Years
        1 day, 2 hours ago

        Yeah, but he still seems to struggle with injuries when he plays, and I heard he wants to move back to Manchester

        1. Traction Engine Foot
          • 8 Years
          1 day, 2 hours ago

          I would rather have Mbeumo long term for sure, so make the move if you want but maybe you can give him this week

          1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 9 Years
            1 day, 2 hours ago

            Yep, tempted to just do it. Cheers!

  9. Yes Ndidi
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    So. Douglas Luiz is back at the Villa.

    I can't remember, but was he on pens last time he was there? I know he had 20 goal involvements in his last season but missed a crucial pen in Europe.

    4.9.

    1. Sir Michael Taker
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Yes scored 5 from 6 pens that season

  10. JBG
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    So much for Haalands rest, doesn't need to play tonight either imo.

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Galatasaray aren’t a bad side

      1. JBG
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 2 hours ago

        Doesn't matter, both teams are through.

        1. JBG
          • 7 Years
          1 day, 2 hours ago

          Which is my point, specially City

        2. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 2 hours ago

          City are through via a Play-off if they don't win. Clear benefits to a Top 8 finish in the form of two less games at the business end of the season.

          1. Sir Michael Taker
            • 11 Years
            1 day, 2 hours ago

            Through to a playoff not via. They lost at the same stage last season

  11. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Three options for UCL

    A. Karl/Lewis-Skelly

    B. Eze/Mosquera

    C. Martinelli/ O'Reilly

  12. Sir Michael Taker
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Seems not only can Palmer not do 2 games a week, he can barely do 1. Odds of him missing the world cup through bad form/fitness and getting that much needed surgery instead?

  13. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Presumably Chalabah is dropped, rather than rested tonight?

    1. Atimis
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Why he would be dropped not rested?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 2 hours ago

        Because Chelsea have gone pretty much full strength needing to win

        Remember Palmer wasn't deemed fit to play at Palace

  14. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Will gusto be benched v WHU ?

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      And Pedro “?

  15. Bolivian Seaman
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Its crazy that there are 6 english teams in the champions league, not only that they are all in the top 11 places

  16. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Szobo playing RB tonight ?? Who's in central defence with VVD ?

    1. Bobbyg1
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Grav?

  17. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Calafiori back

  18. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Who’s the exciting UCL captain pick tonight

    A) Mbappe
    B) Fermin Lopez

    1. Disco Stu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      I'm Captaining Raphinia

    2. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Vermin

  19. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Is Gravenberch playing CB tonight? Played there before ?

  20. Disco Stu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    I'm going Raphinia

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      was 6.5m once at leeds

  21. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    I take it we're all watching the mighty Spurs tonight?

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Chelsea

  22. KUNingas
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Which one

    A) Dorgu -> Senesi
    B) Keane -> Chalobah

    1. Snoop Udogie Dogg
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      B

    2. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      B

    3. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      B

  23. Old Wulfrunian
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Best pick to replace Cherki?

    a)Mbeumo
    b)Enzo

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      a

    2. Malkmus
      • 14 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Think you need both, especially for next 4 gws

    3. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      I’d say both too.
      Otherwise it depends who/how many you have from each team…

  24. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    would you get pedro on wc or safer (and less exciting) with evanilson/bowen? cheers

    1. g40steve
      • 7 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      Went Pedro even on reduced minutes he can still haul & those fixtures

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 2 hours ago

        yep that's my thinking too. cheers

    2. Old Wulfrunian
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      I have Bowen and i am thinking to sell him for a hit for Pedro but probably it's not worth it.In gw25 has Burnley away.Man Utd at home in g26 could be a good fixture for Bowen but with Chelsea against Leeds at home,Villa at home to Brighton and Palace at home vs Burnley i think that i will sell him for Pedro/Watkins/Mateta.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        cheers. yep dont sell for a -4

  25. g40steve
    • 7 Years
    1 day, 2 hours ago

    Who you capping this weekend?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 2 hours ago

      haaland probably. or maybe bruno f

      1. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        I’ve been playing safe with Haaland & thinking Bruno could do well this week.
        But Haaland ownership could hurt at my height.

    2. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Fruno.
      Considering Enzo but most likely Fruno

  26. sentz05
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Which one to lose for Bruno F?
    A Saka
    B Semenyo
    C Ekitike

    1. FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      A.
      I really tried to stick with him but raged last GW. It’s too late in the season now to be worrying about will he won’t he start/how many minutes.

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Considering the array of Mids to choose from

  27. Machine Gun Skelly
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Guys, I need some help for my team. Are there any priority transfers that I should make, thinking of selling Foden to Bruno F and Ekitike to Evanilson/JP/Bowen.

      GK - Roefs, Dub
      DEF - Tark, Gabi, Andersen, Mukiele, Dorgu
      MID - Foden, Saka, Rice, Enzo, Anderson
      FOR - Robot, Ekitike, Kroupi

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        I sold Eki out of rage to J0.
        You have Kroupi so wouldn’t double up with Eva

      2. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        JP*

      3. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Dorgus an obvious sell though

    • FantasyClub
      • 5 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Lads I want a BOU forward…which one?
      A) Kroupi
      B) Evanilson

      Is B on penalties?

      1. FantasyClub
        • 5 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Budget ain’t a consideration. We’re Ballers this season

    • F4L
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      frimpong injured already again

    • AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      Arsenal and Spurs not hanging around tonight

      Both scored early on

      PSG potential penalty which will be given

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        Solid save from Pope

        Spurs were wiped.

        Arsenal scored a penalty

        Gyok