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. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    not watching chelsea, why are they only playing 1 centre-back?

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

      With 3 on the bench haha.

      What is that man-ager doing?

      1. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 1 hour ago

        *Coach

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

          Co-ach doesn't really work in his analogy

          1. The FPL Units
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            1 day, 59 mins ago

            True that

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      i guess they figured 1 would be enough playing vs hojlund. backfired though

    3. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 1 hour ago

      That’s all you need vs Hojlund 😆

    4. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 58 mins ago

      makes no sense

      James should be right back or holding midfielder
      a couple of centre halves on the bench
      does not make sense

      1. Utopsis
        • 6 Years
        23 hours, 42 mins ago

        Umm

  2. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Doku injured and subbed. Someone from the rotation is more nailed than he previously was.

  3. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 1 hour ago

    Haha, Willock goal

  4. RedJive79
    • 6 Years
    1 day, 59 mins ago

    Willock g. Burn a

  5. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 day, 59 mins ago

    Do we think James starts at the weekend now?? Started tonight and last weekend

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 59 mins ago

      don't think he will do three games in a row

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 day, 58 mins ago

        Yeah I agree mate

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      23 hours, 42 mins ago

      Nope

  6. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 59 mins ago

    Newcastle equaliser - willock

  7. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 57 mins ago

    Benfica lead RM

  8. Sandy Ravage
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 57 mins ago

    TOON

  9. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 57 mins ago

    You reckon Palmer starts at the weekend?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 55 mins ago

      50/50 depends how they are managing his current injury

  10. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 56 mins ago

    go on benfica

  11. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 56 mins ago

    6 English teams in the UCL, only Chelsea outside the top 8.

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 55 mins ago

      best league in the world in terms of quality

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 11 Years
        1 day, 52 mins ago

        money talks...other leagues cannot compete.

  12. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 55 mins ago

    Barcelona 0 v 1 Copenhagen - I still feel Barc will get a couple second half to win

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 52 mins ago

      I'm sure it can be arranged

  13. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 51 mins ago

    james hill was getting a lot of praise on here yesterday, how nailed is he? any bournemouth fans?

    1. Yes Ndidi
      • 6 Years
      1 day, 45 mins ago

      Started the last six & seems to be doing OK. Suggests it's his place to lose.

  14. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 42 mins ago

    another attacking return for romero lol

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 9 Years
    1 day, 41 mins ago

    Palmer getting 45 minutes tonight.
    Don't know what that means for the weekend.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 day, 37 mins ago

      It means he isn't injured

      He'll just decide on his merits each time anyhow

      Ros

  16. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 41 mins ago

    palmer got subbed on at ht for neto

    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      1 day, 37 mins ago

      Palmer is a dead asset.

    2. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 29 mins ago

      Needs to be played away from no 10
      & on the right like Saka/Salah

      Chelsea do not look like getting into top eight a big shame
      but have qualified - PSG went this route last season so
      still hope

  17. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 39 mins ago

    salah golazooo

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 37 mins ago

      Essential

  18. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 39 mins ago

    Mojo

  19. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 38 mins ago

    Salah.

    Free kick

    Top corner

    Brilliant goal by accounts

    I'm watching Chelsea at Napoli

    1. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 36 mins ago

      Playing a pub team tbf

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        1 day, 32 mins ago

        It's a free kick

        Ekitike finds the net now

        Easy finish

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 30 mins ago

          Decent keeper saves it

      2. The FPL Units
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        1 day, 29 mins ago

        Is it a good pub?

        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          1 day, 26 mins ago

          They let Wirtz score

  20. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    1 day, 36 mins ago

    Who is selling Haaland?

    Who is buying Szsoboslai?

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 30 mins ago

      No

      No

      Might consider captain choice but unless injured Haaland to the end of season

    2. Utopsis
      • 6 Years
      23 hours, 41 mins ago

      I have Szobo, last GW was long overdue

  21. F4L
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 33 mins ago

    quality goal from ekitike

    1. F4L
      • 11 Years
      1 day, 32 mins ago

      *vvd a x2

    2. The Bandit
      • 15 Years
      1 day, 31 mins ago

      Horrible defending x2

  22. tutankamun
    • 16 Years
    1 day, 33 mins ago

    Ekitike G

  23. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 31 mins ago

    yes - 1-2

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 3 Years
      1 day, 31 mins ago

      dam - Willock offside

  24. Henning
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 30 mins ago

    Anything to change on this wildcard team.
    Could downgrade Thiago and upgrade Wilson?

    Verbruggen Dubravka

    Gabriel Timber Chalobah Munoz Mukiele

    Rice Fernandes Rogers Enzo Wilson

    Haaland Thiago Evanilson

  25. fedolefan
    • 11 Years
    1 day, 29 mins ago

    Ekitike lad showing up big time and punishing holders and sellers.

  26. Drizzle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 day, 29 mins ago

    If you give Liverpool space and time they'll destroy you. Fortunately, not many teams in the prem do these days.

    1. Kaneyonero
      • 9 Years
      1 day, 26 mins ago

      Yep prem diff sauce altogether

  27. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    1 day, 27 mins ago

    JP great goal

  28. RICICLE
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 27 mins ago

    Great goal from Pedro!

  29. Bluetiger1
    • 3 Years
    1 day, 27 mins ago

    Chelsea equaliser 2-2 Pedro

  30. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 day, 26 mins ago

    Pedro cracks a great goal in

    They still need a winner

    2-2