Champions League

The best forwards for UEFA Champions League Fantasy

The start of the UEFA Champions League group stage is less than a week away and the competition’s official, free-to-play Fantasy game is now live.

Champions League match tickets, Playstation 5 consoles and cash in the UEFA store are up for grabs, while Premium Memberships will also be dished out to the leaders in our Fantasy Football Scout mini-league (PIN: 65KAB8EHX307).

The final of these three introductory articles for UEFA Champions League Fantasy focuses on the forwards. The scoring for forwards is again very similar to Fantasy Premier League, with the balls recovered statistic rarely benefitting them.

READ MORE: The best Champions League goalkeepers and defenders
READ MORE: The best Champions League midfielders
READ MORE: How to play Champions League Fantasy

SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE

Premium Forwards (€9.5m-€12m)

When the world’s strongest sides come together, it brings with it an inevitable saturation of top-quality players. This is most clearly shown in the premium forwards category. These players can score big any or every week and having a couple in your team appears to be a necessity. 

Picking a starting point in this category was tough but I’ve gone for Bayern’s newly crowned UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, Robert Lewandowski (€12.0m). He top-scored in last season’s competition with 15 goals in just 11 games, is on penalties, and is nailed in the best side in world football at the moment. Fresh off the back of his four-goal haul against Hoffenheim, Lewandowski looks like the most secure forward pick for the group stages.

That means Lionel Messi (€12.0m) is second on this list. Although he’s only scored once in his first three games this season, he has two assists to his name and has a home banker against Ferencváros on Matchday 1 – so could be the perfect captain to fire your season off to a great start.

Next up is Erling Haaland (€11.0m). He has four goals and an assist in his first three league games and faces three questionable defences in the group stage. Last season he scored two or more goals a whopping 12 times. Playing in a better side for the group stages this year, Haaland could run riot.

Another young star costing €11.0m, Kylian Mbappe is only getting better. He has two goals and four assists from three games this term and PSG are looking better after a shaky league start. Both Mbappe and Neymar (€11.5m) will be in and around the goals every week as PSG look to go one better than last year. Their games against a dysfunctional Manchester United defence and Turkish relegation-strugglers Istanbul Başakşehir could produce big scorelines for the duo.

Two Serie A forwards complete this section. Inter’s Romelu Lukaku (€11.0m) has penalties and is in incredible form, making him a slightly better option than his strike partner Lautaro Martinez (€10.5m). Atalanta’s 13 goals in their first three games has fired them to the top of Serie A and Duvan Zapata (€9.5m) has got a goal and two assists. After 19 goals and nine assists through 33 games last season, Zapata could be a slightly less popular gem to fire you up the ranks with his opening games against Midtjylland and Ajax.

It’s of course worth keeping an eye on a few players unavailable for Matchday 1, especially Cristiano Ronaldo (€12.0m). He should return for Matchday 3, where he then plays Ferencváros home and away. The fitness of Manchester City’s two main strikers, Gabriel Jesus (€9.5m) and Sergio Aguero (€10.0m) should also be high on your watchlist.

Mid-Priced Forwards (€7m-€9m)

The best forwards for UEFA Champions League Fantasy

The choices in this section are few and far between, but what there is, is of very high quality. Atalanta’s captain and darling Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez (€8.5m) has started the season with four goals and two assists in just three games and has a place in this author’s team firmly secured with his kind opening fixtures and “nailed-ness”. Ronaldo’s absence paves the way for Paulo Dybala (€9.0m) to return to the starting XI alongside Alvaro Morata (€9.0m) . Named Serie A’s MVP last season, he could be a shrewd early differential,

Jesse Marsch’s Red Bull Salzburg play flowing, attacking football which helped Haaland to eight goals in six group stage games last season. Patson Daka (€7.5m) has scored seven goals and four assists through 10 games so far in the Austrian Bundesliga, as well as a couple against Liverpool in pre-season. Playing against Lokomotiv Moscow and Bayern’s high line, which has been shaky in their early games, he could feast like Haaland. 

Finishing off this section are two established goalscorers from middling Champions League teams. Zenit’s Artem Dzyuba (€8.0m) has been a staple of UCL scoresheets for a decade now and, like Daka, has seven goals and four assists through his first 10 games of this season. With Club Brugge up first and Lazio in Matchdays 3 and 4, he could be another smart differential.

Olympiacos’ Youssef El-Arabi (€8.0m) scored three goals in his three Champions League starts last season, 17 goals in 25 starts in the league and has scored in his last two for the Greek giants. Starting out against Marseille and Porto could bring goals for the Moroccan talisman.

Budget Forwards (€4.5m-€6.5m)

The best forwards for UEFA Champions League Fantasy 1

These options really are quite sparse in both quantity and quality. The best is clearly Rennes‘ new signing Serhou Guirassy (€6.5m). The Frenchman has three goals and an assist in five league games for the French league leaders. If he takes advantage of matches against Chelsea’s dire defence and Russian mid-tablers Krasnodar, Guirassy should turn out to be the best budget forward in the game. 

Dynamo Kyiv’s Vladislav Supryaha (€6.5m) got a goal and two assists through their three qualifying games for the UCL, but games against Juventus and Barcelona definitely suggest there are better options elsewhere.

Ajax’s Antony (€6.0m) has two goals in the four games he’s started this season but was subbed off for his likely replacement David Neres (€8.5m) in the last game.

Any of the cheaper options are either unsure starters, or simply poor picks.

SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE

For further Champions League Fantasy reading and discussion, head over to our Community article page.

861 Comments Post a Comment
  1. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Semedo, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish
    DCL, Kane, Maupay

    4.0 | Mitchell, KWP, Bissouma?

    1. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Great team,gtg and GL

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thank you - it’s a WC team. KDB being outs has solidified it.

        I just hope i get a reasonable amount of not bad luck this week. I’m losing to people who can barely use a computer

      2. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ej Klopp stari 😀 also on Wildcard, any advice or good to go?

        Martinez
        TAA/Chillwell/Lamptey
        Salah/Son/Pulisic/Grealish
        DCL/Jimenez/Wilson

        Button/Dallas/Ward/Bissouma
        Tried with Sterling version also but i dont like it, too much sacrifice
        0,4 itb

        1. CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I don't see anything wrong here, very nice team.I agree that it's too much sacrifice to go with sterling here
          Sretno!!!

    2. AD2110
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      KWP to Dallas?

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I just can’t decide which 2 of KWP, Lamptey , Dallas to go for!

        1. Detweiler
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I've gone Lamptey and Taylor (BUR)

        2. AD2110
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I’ve gone for Dallas and Lamptey in my WC. But then I have McCarthy in goal... close call but I think Dallas and Lamptey more likely to get attacking returns than KWP?

    3. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      We're very similar, only a few different, cap?

  2. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think that Austin will start?

  3. FPL Maldini
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC completed, that KDB injury clicked it into place, really happy with it, thoughts?

    Martinez
    Robbo - Semedo - C.Taylor
    Salah - Rodriguez - Pulisic - Grealish - Zaha
    Kane - Jimmy

    BENCH: Brewster - Ayling - Brainthwaite

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No Son is bold any reason?

      1. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I prefer Kane for captaincy and feel double up is a tad too much for me. Also I wanted to squeeze Pulisic in

  4. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Egan ruled out?

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not yet

  5. EgyptianKing
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What do you prefer on WC?

    1) Lamptey + Soucek as bench option

    2) Saiss + Bissouma as bench option

    Tempted by 2) I think.

    Cheers!

  6. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this wildcard.
    Martinez Forster
    Zouma Dallas Mitchell (Lamptey Lewis )
    Zaha Sterling Grealish Son Salah
    DCL Kane (Brewster).

    1. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think I would prefer going without Zaha and try to improve defence

  7. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence to Grealish for a hit?
    Y or N

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks mate

  8. Andre W
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best one week punt to replace KDB? I already have Salah and Son

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lol!

    2. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Leicester are decimated with injuries including at least one, but possibly both their CBs, so I would go with Grealish.

  9. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Already used my FT. Should I put KDB on the bench and play this team or should I take a hit and bring in Son for him?

    Martinez
    VVD Lamptey James
    Salah Sterling Foden Podence
    DCL Ings Brewster

    Steer Dallas Mitchell KDB

    Thanks a lot!

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think with that side you can hack the benching

    2. 11 smelly shirts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      so far Son scored only away from home, so while being in the same situation like you with KdB I don't want to bring him in this week

    3. Johan Queef
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maybe hold as Dallas off the bench is a nice option too.

      Same question for my team (already on -4)?

      McCarthy (Steer)

      TAA, Robbo, Taylor (Bavies, Mitchell)

      Salah, J.Rod, Trossard, Bissouma (KDB)

      Kane, Mitro, Brewster

    4. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I would bring in Son. Do you really want 11.5M on your bench for 2 weeks? You can always bring him back in a few weeks.

  10. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    which move please -

    a) KDB + Podence > Son + Grealish/Barclay/Trossard
    b) R James + KDB + Podence > Dallas + Son + Pulisic (-4)
    c) Any thing else.

    can only afford Pulisic with the -4

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which 4.5m defender is better?

    a) Charlie Taylor

    b) KWP

    c) Masuaku

  12. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How would you use 0.5 to upgrade this starting 11 on WC? Frustratingly 0.1 short of Dallas > Saiss!

    Martinez
    Robbo, Chilwell, KWP
    Salah (v), Son, Pulisic, Grealish
    Kane (C), DCL, Maupay
    (Forster) (Dallas, Stephens, 3.9)

    Cheers

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A) Save it for a rainy day
      B) KWP -> Lamptey

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A lot of Lamptey love on here. Could be worthwhile.... KWP is underrated though I think

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Ye I’ve got both - Dallas -> Lamptey other option

          It’s def 2 out of those 3 for the rotating third defender spot

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save the money.

      That 0.5m is really useful. Can allow you to do a number of nice moves later.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Robbo >> TAA and thank me week in week out 🙂

  13. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best MID to get for 7.5 max?

    A. Grealish (Lei def on tatters)
    B. Barnes (Lei have many injuries concern)
    C. Trossard
    D. Zaha
    E. Greenwood
    F. Barkley
    G. Others?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. themaindanger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A. Leicester are decimated with injuries.

  14. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you guys keep Justin and Mitchell on WC? If no, who is the replacement?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Konsa, Ayling, SHU, Wolves, Zouma

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      and No to keeping them

  15. Kuzser
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Guys, what are the best moves this week?
    2ft, 0.3itb
    1) Kdb Podence-> Grealish Pulisic
    2) Werner Kdb -> Kane Pulisic/Grealish
    2) Kdb Brewster-> Kane Mcginn
    3) Foden James-> Trossard Chilwell

    Martínez
    Robbo Saiss Justin
    Salah Son Foden Podence
    Werner Dcl Brewster

    James Mitchell KDB**

  16. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A. Sterling, Trossard and 5.0 defender
    or
    B. Pulisic, Grealish abd Robbo

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  17. john25
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Repost.

    Hey guys, how nailed on is Semedo? Any chance Wolves puts Traore in for him or change formation that could cause Semedo to get rotated?

    Cheers

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes but marcal is 0.6 cheaper seems to be going under radar

  18. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you play this team or take hit for KDB to Pulisic, Grealish leaving enough in bank for Jiménez to Aguero or Foden/ Podence upgrades in next couple of weeks? Have concerns Podence may not start and other 2 on bench not certain either.

    Martinez
    TAA Saïss Chilwell
    Salah Son(c) Podence Foden
    Jiménez DCL Brewster

    Forster Lamptey Mitchell KDB*

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      why pulisic back from injury instead of JRod/Grea

    2. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good to save this week

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!

  19. skodaole2
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Dier doubt, James may not start would you take a hit or gtg?

    Martinez
    Dier* Justin Castagne
    Son Pereira Salah James R.
    Kane Jimenez Mitrovic

    McCarthy Reece J.* Targett Reed*
    0 FT 2.6 itb

  20. smix
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    RMWCT
    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwel Sa’iss
    Salah Son Havertz(c) Grealish
    Jimenez DCL Maupay
    Martin Lamptey Dallas Soucek

  21. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How do we think Bale if going to get on over the next few?

    1. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tempting for a KDB replacement!

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How could anyone do anything but guess?

  22. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Probably the most important question so I'd love to see you answer.

    My current squad vs PROVISIONAL WC SQUAD

    Ryan / MARTINEZ

    Egan Castagne Taa / SEMEDO CHILWELL (LAMPTEY)

    Havertz (Bissouma Reed) / SALAH GREALISH (SOUCEK)

    Vardy / WATKINS

    -Players in both teams: Robbo, Rodriguez, Son, Kane, DCL

    Gonna rotate Lamptey and Soucek with Watkins or defenders with difficult fixture

    Can also go for
    Maupay and 4.4 mid instead of Watkins + Soucek
    or
    TAA + 4.4 mid instead of Robbo + Soucek

    Thanks a lot

  23. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Podence -> Pulisic for a hit ?

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  24. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What do we think,will KDB fall 0.1 with flag?

    Need to sell him for hit and cant bring back if he is 11.6

  25. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bale or Pulisic?

    I'm bringing one in.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pulisic

      Both are punts for this GW but Bale is even more of a punt

    2. EgyptianKing
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Puli for now imo

    3. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pully

    4. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pulisic

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No idea myself see below

    6. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Puli

    7. skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Next week i d say Bale, now its difficult. Maybe bring Bale knowing that he may play about 30 mins but you ll have him next week ready in your team?

    8. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all. I'm going Pulisic. He's at least definitely gonna start this one.

      Good luck all!

      1. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is he? Could Lampard use him as a sub for this easy fixture then start him in the CL?

    9. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I thought you were captaining Havertz? You want Pulisic too?

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not for FPL 😛 That was a direct question for FanTeam.

        I'll consider my options after planning some transfer strategies and decide tomorrow probably what to do.

  26. cutch
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martínez - Steer
    Castagne, Chilwell, Saïss - Lamptey, Mitchell
    KDB, Salah, Hamez, Grealish - Anguissa
    Jiménez, DCL, Ings
    0 FT

    What to do with KDB?
    A) Sterling (-4)
    B) Zaha (-4)
    C) Pulisic (-4)
    D) Just play Lamptey

    1. cutch
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm in a "no Spurs ML", so Son is not an option

  27. Stormbringer22
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    FPL experts, I have a question for you - if you had 4 players playing in the same fixture, would you captain a player in that fixture as well?

    If I captained Salah, I would effectively have 5/12 players already played after the 12:30 Saturday kick off..

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I Capt the player I think has the best chance to get some decent return, 7+ points...all the rest is irrelevant

  28. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Getting rid KDB worth a hit folks? Already have got Salah Son Rodriguez ...
    A. Bench KDB play Taylor (433)
    B. KDB > Pulisic (-4)
    C. KDB > Bale (-4)
    D. KDB > Grealish (-4)

    1. Stormbringer22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Between B and D

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ta

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think I'd be tempted to take him out. But not sure.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have no idea myself, was set to go before he's declared out

    3. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  29. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Been going back and forth on which defenders to play. And now KDB is out but it actually helped my benching headaches.

    Does this look GTG?

    Martinez
    James Saiss Digne
    Foden Salah Son(C) Grealish
    Jimenez DCL Brewster

    (Steer Ayling Justin KDB*) 0FT 0.2m

    Or anything worth a hit?

  30. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    With Vardy being out. I really am considering a last minute wildcard.
    I currently have
    McCarthy Nyland
    TAA Robbo Justin Vinagre Shaw
    Romeu Stephens Salah Son Podence
    Vardy Kane Maupey

    and I want to go to

    Ryan Nyland
    Saiss Semedo Mitchell Ward Lamptey
    Zaha Grealish Son Salah Fernandes
    Brewster Kane Mitrovic

    0.4 million in the bank so I can change Mitro to Antonio in 3 weeks.

    It's so so tempting and I really wanna pull the trigger but I've had a good start and am 50,000th so could be it too early?

    1. Vovhund
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What to do here:
      TAA-Justin-Taylor-Coady-Mitchell
      Salah-Son-KDB-ASM-Bissouma
      Werner-DCL

      A) Nothing
      B) KDB to Pulisic (-4)
      C) WC