We’re just hours away from the second legs of this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. As always, we assess the Fantasy iTeam (FiT) Player Price List and assess some of the form players on offer ahead of Matchday 10’s deadline.
A free Fantasy football app, FiT is available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android. Fantasy managers have until 10 minutes before the first kick-off in any given Matchday to make any final alterations to their starting XIs – this evening, then, that deadline is 7.35pm, as Barcelona welcome PSG to the Nou Camp and Bayern play host to Porto.
We’re supporting FiT throughout the competition and have an official Fantasy Football Scout League, with an iPad mini available to the winner. There’s also a VIP European Match Day Experience for two on offer for the overall winner of the Fantasy iTeam Champions League game.
Tuesday April 21
We keep faith in Luis Suarez as Barcelona entertain PSG with a 3-1 first-leg advantage. The Uruguayan (10.0m) is in irresistible form right now – having bagged a brace in Paris a week ago, he notched in Saturday’s win over Valencia and has 12 goals in as many matches in all competitions for the Spanish outfit. Good news for the La Liga leaders, then, as David Luiz and co. roll up this evening.
After missing the first leg through suspension, Zlatan Ibrahimovic returns to face his former club. Laurent Blanc’s side face a tough task to overturn the 3-1 reversal and will need to go on the offensive – if the 9.8m-priced Swede can replicate the form that’s harvested 17 goals in 22 league appearances this season, his side may yet spring a surprise.
Bayern also attempt to claw back a 3-1 deficit after being shocked by Porto in their away leg last week. Pep Guardiola has acknowledged his injury-hit side will need to take some risks if they are to prevail and we’re backing Thomas Muller (9.3m) to prove the man for the big occasion. The German international has been in fine domestic form, racking up 13 goals and ten assists in the league, and has struck five times in seven Champions League outings already.
After backing two-goal Ricardo Quaresma last week, we turn to his fellow wide man Yacine Brahimi. The Algerian has produced five goals and a trio of assists over eight appearances in this year’s competition – available for 7.3m, he tormented Bayern with seven successful dribbles in Portugal and his pace on the break will be crucial as the visitors look to hit their hosts on the counter.
Wednesday April 22
Monaco attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg loss against visitors Juventus tomorrow evening. The French side have served up 16 clean sheets in 25 home matches across all competitions so far and will fancy their chances of keeping the Italian outfit at bay. Highly-rated left-back Layvin Kurzawa (4.6m) has four assists to his name in Ligue 1 this term and looks the likeliest backline option to offer points at both ends of the pitch.
Arturo Vidal’s penalty made the difference for the “Old Lady” last week and the Chilean followed that up with an assist in Saturday’s win over Lazio. Whilst Carlos Tevez is the obvious option, the 6.4m-priced Vidal’s spot-kick duties make him an excellent alternative in the centre of the park as the Serie A leaders look to clinch a place in the last four.
With the injuries building for Real Madrid, Isco’s contribution looks crucial as neighbours Atletico roll up to the Bernabeu. Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema are all out as the holders attempt to get the better of Diego Simeone’s side after a goalless draw last week. Available for 6.4m, Isco could be a real under the radar option for tomorrow’s derby encounter.
Simeone, meanwhile, will look to park the bus and catch Carlo Ancelotti’s side on the counter. With that in mind, we turn to the visitors’ chief creator Koke as Atletico attempt to avenge last season’s defeat in the final. The 7.8m-priced playmaker has two goals and four assists already in this term’s tournament and will be confident of unlocking a backline with just three clean sheets in their previous ten home matches across all competitions.
FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT LEAGUE
We’ve already set up an official Fantasy Football Scout league for you to join, with an iPad mini on offer to the winner – the league name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 11155.
