Champions League

UCL Fantasy: Tuesday review, Wednesday preview and tips for substitutes and captaincy

The UEFA Champions League Fantasy game allows managers to change their starting XIs and captains – with certain restrictions – following the culmination of the Tuesday matches and before the start of Wednesday’s games.

In this article, we’ll recap last night’s fixtures and summarise the captaincy and substitution options available to UCL Fantasy bosses before this evening’s 17:55 GMT deadline.

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY TEAM AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES HERE

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

Last Night’s Review

Tuesday night saw a whopping 35 goals go in across eight games, with both German sides in action scoring six goals on the road. The star men for the evening were Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Alassane Plea (€8m) and Liverpool’s Diogo Jota (€7.5m), who both scored hat-tricks, with Plea also adding an assist. Both were playing away from home, meaning that on Matchday Four they will have the same fixtures, but with home advantage. 

Gladbach’s 6-0 win at Shakhtar was definitely the unexpected talking point of the evening. Marco Rose’s side were utterly scintillating in front of a Ukrainian crowd, doing what neither Real Madrid nor Inter Milan could do in beating Shakhtar. Whilst Plea will take the plaudits, Lars Stindl (€7.9m) and Ramy Bensebaini (€5.5m) also got two goals and an assist between them. Gladbach’s star man from the Real Madrid draw, Marcus Thuram (€8.6m), was restricted to just one assist. Expect more of the same from the Bundesliga side in the reverse fixture in Matchday Four as they look to assert control over a tough group, but almost definitely not to the same extent. 

European favourites Liverpool and Bayern Munich both had big wins on the road. Liverpool exposed Atalanta’s defensive frailties and whilst Gian Piero Gasperini’s defiance not to change his tactics under any circumstances is admirable, it really was their undoing yesterday evening. Sadio Mane (€11m) and Mohamed Salah (€11.5m) showed why they are always great options as both grabbed a goal and an assist, but as Liverpool are not far from qualifying for the last 16, we are much more likely to see more of Diogo Jota (€7.5m) going forward – and he really looks like the man to snap up in this team. Their defence also proved that it doesn’t need Virgil van Dijk to keep a clean sheet, with Trent Alexander-Arnold (€6.6m) getting another UCL assist to highlight his quality as an asset. 

Bayern’s late burst of goals was a welcome relief to owners of Robert Lewandowski (€12m), whose brace finally rewarded owners with a 10-point haul. Thomas Muller (€10m) proved that he is the second-best pick of the Bavarian outfit’s attacking assets with two assists, whilst Joshua Kimmich (€6.6m) continued his unbelievable Champions League form by setting up two goals.

Sergio Ramos (€6.5m) demonstrated why he’s a popular pick with his 100th Real Madrid goal, but in general, both the Spaniards and Inter Milan looked unsteady at both ends, making it difficult to pick any assets of real quality out of either team. 

Manchester City and Porto both showcased their strengths in 3-0 wins, with Kevin De Bruyne (€11.5m) grabbing two assists and Sergio Oliviera (€6.5m) scoring another penalty for Porto. 

An Ajax side much less COVID-stricken than we were led to believe beat Midtjylland on the road, with €6m forward Antony scoring and having another goal disallowed. At home and hopefully part of a full-strength team in Matchday Four, Antony should continue to start and be a great cheap asset for the Amsterdam side. 

In the early kick-off, Lokomotiv Moscow held Atletico to a draw, with Joao Felix (€9m) repeatedly denied by an incredible Guilherme (€4.5m) performance. 

Captaincy 

Most captaincy options from yesterday evening proved successful, with Salah, De Bruyne, Kimmich and Lewandowski all scoring eight points or more. However, if you did not pick one of the successful players from yesterday evening, there is still a wealth of options available for tonight’s games.

We get to watch both Lionel Messi (€12.1m) and Cristiano Ronaldo (€12m) turn out tonight, with Ronaldo looking particularly ready to go against a defensively poor Ferencvaros side. Messi is facing a Dynamo Kyiv outfit destroyed by COVID, with just 13 players eligible to play. If he starts, expect a big haul from the Barcelona man against a Ukrainian side made up of a lot of youth prospects. Outside of the obvious two, Erling Haaland (€11m) should be fit for the visit to Brugge and, after scoring in both of his opening Champions League matches, will be looking to continue this form. 

Slightly left-field captaincy options may come from the two English sides playing this evening, with Chelsea at home to Rennes and Manchester United visiting Istanbul Basaksehir. United have six points from their first two group games and will be looking to secure knockout qualification early. Marcus Rashford (€9m) has four Champions League goals so far and should be the talisman charged with securing a United victory. In London, Hakim Ziyech (€9m) has scored in his first two games for Chelsea and will likely line up again this evening after Christian Pulisic (€9m) was ruled out. 

Substitutions

As always, the dilemma over whether to make a change or two depends on who UCL Fantasy managers have to bring on. You have to look at the ceiling and floor of the possible substitution against what you know you already have. If the player has four points or less, it is normally worth a gamble as long as your substitute has a decent fixture and generally positive prospects.

Expect Wilmar Barrios (€4.5m), who will be on a lot of benches, to continue his trend of scoring five points a game. Sevilla and Chelsea defenders have a great chance of a clean sheet and should be brought on where possible, as do Juventus and Barcelona options. Watch out for news of the Barcelona game, though – if one further Kyiv player tests positive for COVID the game will be postponed. This may also encourage Ronald Koeman to rotate his squad in anticipation of an easier game, so keep your eyes peeled for news of a Messi/Fati benching if you own either. 


MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY TEAM AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES HERE

471 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Please help..
    which would you rather from GW 10 onwards?

    Martinez Forster
    Chillwell Targett Mitchell Kilman Lamptey
    Salah Son KDB Grealish Burke
    Vardy Martial Adams

    or
    Martinez Forster
    Chillwell Targett Mitchell Lamptey Bernardo
    Salah Grealish KDB Mané Burke
    DCL Martial Adams

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      First one looks good.

    2. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      It's hard enough getting replies for GW8 queries, tbh.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Hahaa I know maybe it was a bit of a stretch

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      First one but DCL in for Martial if it were me.

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        sorry Tony

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I should probably put my bias beyond me

          Thanks Nate love the music man

  2. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I like the first one.

    1. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks

  3. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FTs going into the IB is essential.

    1. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I've been rolling 2FTs for a few weeks, thankfully. Currently have Saiss, Podence, and Ings though, plus TAA. Looks like a couple of those might be getting an extended run!

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      good one.
      🙄

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      a WC is even more essential

    4. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Damn I wish Bross

    5. shaunyjames
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Team is flags galore - Ings, Hamez, Mitchell, Regulion & Lamptey. No chance I'm banking 2FT

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

      I wish! Contemplating a -4 hit this week already, and possibly another one during the IB... not good

  4. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are Reece James owners doing? I guess I will keep if he's rested today and get rid if he plays today. Thoughts?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keeping.

  5. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Ziyech a trap?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I reckon Chilly might be better value.

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

      I would wait on him a little bit longer

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think he's a top player, might agree with Christina though in that Chilwell seems to be holding onto corners instead of them going to Ziyech. But I'd be confident he will be on free kicks.

  6. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Chillwell, Salah, Sterling, Son, Grealish, Kane, DCL + 4.5m def's after IB.

    Who needs a WC.

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

      Shaping up nicely

    2. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Could do similar, 4 moves but do you really want son and Kane long term?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        well I own them currently - no need to sell yet and easy swap to Rashy/Vardy or whoever. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

    3. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looking at something similar here but with KDB instead of Sterling and no Chilwell.

    4. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Close to that , only missing Grealish. Doubtful Solly can outscore him, but team value is bad

  7. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So Potter didn't say anything about Lamptey?

    1. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not today no. But he did say it was just cramp after the Spurs game. No news is good news I guess...

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

    Hi all, I will wait until Friday to do my transfers as things may change but how does this look as a plan?

    Martinez
    TAA • Saiss* • Lamptey (Mitchell • Ferguson)
    Salah • Son • Pulisic* • Rodriguez • Grealish
    Kane • DCL (Brewster)

    Saiss + Pulisic > Chilwell + Zaha/Bowen -4

    Any preference between Zaha or Bowen?

    Cheers!

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good. Prefer Bowen in the more attacking team

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

        Thanks, Rafa!

  9. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FTs and 1.6itb

    A. Jiminez, Bruno, TAA to Kane, Sterling, Bellerin (-4)
    B. Jiminez and TAA to Kane and Bellerin
    C. Jiminez to Jesus

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

      B

  10. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez (Button)
    Robbo,Lamptey,Kilman,Chilwell (Konsa)
    Salah,Son,Pulisic,Grealish(Bissouma)
    Kane(C),DCL (Brewster)

    2FT, 0.5ITB
    Pulisic+Robbo to Bruno+Zouma?

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn't be so sure on double Chelsea defence.

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good moves. Shame you can’t stretch to Kev as he’d be a better pick longterm. Guess you can possibly downgrade Kane in a week or so.

  11. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo - Chilly - KWP
    Salah - Son - Pulisic(!!!) - Grealish
    Kane - DCL - Maupay(!!!)

    (4m, Dallas, 4.5m, 3.9m)

    2 fts, 0m in the bank.

    Two, well three if you count Robertson, obvious issues with the team. Thoughts?

    1. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic to Ziyech if he's to be out long term ish, and save the other?

    2. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Stick with Maupay for this week. Puli out and roll the other.

  12. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA, Dier, Ayling
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Soucek, Podence
    Kane, Jimenez

    Steer, Justin, Saiss, Brewster

    Saiss to Chilwell the obvious move? £2.1m ITB and 1FT. Tempted by -4 to do Jimenez to Werner as well.

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah, Saiss >> Chill or Cresswell

  13. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Initial thoughts on this GW9/10 WC?

    Mendy, 4.0
    Chill, Dias, Coufal (Dallas, Kilman)
    Salah, KDB, Rash/Son, JRod, Grealish
    DCL, Antonio (Brewster)

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Very nice

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

      I like it. Prefer Cancelo over Dias, but that's a minor point to make

  14. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Plan to roll FT & have 2 for international break. How she look?

    Martinez
    TAA Semedo Lamptey
    Salah Grealish Son Zaha
    Maupay Kane(C) DCL

    Steer Dallas Kilman Bissouma

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Below

    2. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would be tempted to roll the dice and play Dallas ahead of Semedo and put Bissouma ahead of Kilman on the bench just in case.

  15. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looks good. Maupay the weak link. Would have been a lovely switch to Antonio if he’d been fit

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Reply fail to little red Laca 🙂

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That Burnley away fixture is too sweet.

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Looked great against spurs tbh. Wouldn’t be surprised with a 1-0 Burnley

  16. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Robbo, Saiss, KWP
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Podence, Grealish
    DCL, Werner
    ((Subs - 4.0, Mitchell, Davis, Ferguson))

    2FT 1.1ITB

    Planning on KDB in two weeks
    Saiss to Cresswell/Zouma and roll?

  17. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ings to Martial yay or nay? My other forwards are Kane and Watkins.

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Martial is out for one more game.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        My bad.No for me.Prefer Dcl.

    2. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm doing it.

    3. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      YES

  18. Cto
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any news on Ryan from Potter?

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

      Didn't he say previously that he was just giving him a rest?

  19. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which option is best:

    A) Rodriguez to Ziyech
    B) Rodriguez to Grealish
    C) Dunne to Chilwell

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

      Stats put me off Ziyech after he passed the eye test with flying colours. I'd go C if no other Chelsea defence

      1. JAYPEE
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I don’t have any other Chelsea DEF. Forgot to mention these will all be for a -4

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

    McCarthy
    Zouma - KWP - Robbo* [Dallas, Branthwaite]
    Soucek - Salah - Son - Bruno [Foden]
    Kane (C) - DCL - Adams
    1 FT, £0.0m ITB

    A) Robbo > Chilwell
    B) Hold and play Robbo
    C) Hold and play Dallas (bench Robbo)

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      b

  21. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Semedo or Foden?

    Bit of a weird one. Not sure I like Foden much for this week.

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

      Semedo. I'm benching Foden too I think

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kind of stuck on Semedo too but because more because I have Vardy and Justin. He's been a threat though the past few weeks and Thomas is inexperienced and Fuchs a bit slow (although I still rate him well) so he could do well.

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Foden

    4. Bouncebackability
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Foden got hardly any points last time he played Liverpool at the Etihad from memory...

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        A goal and an assist!

    5. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will Foden start? I hope so

    6. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Somedo

  22. the_duke
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one would you do guys?

    A) Saiss > coufal (bench foden)
    B) Saiss > Cresswell (bench foden)
    C) Foden > Bowen
    D) Taa > Chilwell

    Team below:

    Martinez
    Taa, james, lamptey
    Salah, son, zaha, grealish, foden
    Kane, dcl

    Steer, Taylor, Saiss, Brewster

  23. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    who to get for the coming three fixtures?

    A) zaha
    B) bowen

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      b

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zaha

    3. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      so it's now one to one 🙂
      need more replies to take the decision and pull the trigger 🙂

      1. Kabaranko
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        soucek

    4. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

    5. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zzzzahhhaaaa

  24. I Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have I got this team set up correctly? Not sure if I should be benching Robbo.

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Semedo, Lamptey
    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Foden
    Martial, Jimenez, DCL

    Steer; Robertson, Mitchell, Stephens.

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      try to get rid of foden
      after jesus return
      and KDB gundogan sterling mahrez torres
      very difficult to start

  25. Riders of Yohan
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who are the best options for the next 2 GWs before using a WC?

    2FT 0.5ITB

    2FT 0.5ITB

    McCarthy
    TAA, KWP, Justin
    Sterling, salah, Son, Rodriguez, Soucek
    Jimi, DCL

    Nyland. Mitchell, Taylor, Brewster

  26. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which one first ?

    A) saiss -> zouma
    B) Foden -> zaha (or up to 8.2).

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      b with Rodriguez if he is fit.Else Ziyech for me.

  27. andres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    A. Taa, Podence => Zouma, Zaha/ Grealish
    B. Taa, Podence, Jimi => Chilwell, Ziyech, Wilson (-4)
    C Taa, Podence, Jimi => zouma, jota, werner (-4)

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A and go with Grealish

      1. andres
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        ziyech or jota feel so refreshing though!

  28. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey all, what to prioritize here? Do Ryan and Maupay likely come back in?

    Ryan Steer
    TAA Robbo Saiss Konsa Mitchell
    Salah Bruno Son Podence Alzate
    Jimmy Bamford Maupay

    .5itb, 1FT

    1) Saiss > Zouma/James/Coufal/Cresswell
    2) TAA + Jimmy > Chilwell + Kane (-4)
    3) Anything else?

    1. nico05
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Considering 2 myself like you i also have son and spurs fixtures become difficult soon, worth bearing in mind

  29. nico05
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Taa & Davies - Chilwell & Wilson worth it?
    Davies currently 3rd bench player but essentially means I play Wilson instead of Lascelles.
    Thank you

  30. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Start Robbo or Lamptey this week?