Champions League

The best players to sign and captain for UCL Fantasy Matchday Five

The business end of the UEFA Champions League group stages brings us some mixed fixtures in Matchday Five.

Six teams have already qualified for the knockout stages, but there are some important battles to take place before we know who the other 10 competitors for the second round. 

Form and qualification will come into play a lot more over the next two weeks so, with that in mind, here is a look at what to expect in UCL Fantasy and who to back ahead of this week’s fixtures. 

Captains Sensible

Tuesday, December 1

Sensible

As we have come to learn from playing Fantasy Premier League, if in doubt, give the armband to Mohamed Salah (€11.6m). Liverpool know that victory against Ajax can see them qualify for the knockout stages and will not want to leave it until the last Matchday. 

Salah needs no introduction, but with a goal narrowly disallowed against Brighton at the weekend and nailed-on penalties after James Milner’s (€6.0m) injury, he may well take responsibility for qualification into his own hands. 

Differential

I really struggled to find a pick here. I have plumped for the starting striker in what is the only plum fixture of the night on paper. Atalanta have been in poor form domestically, but after his performances in Matchday One and Two and their great win against Liverpool, I’ve placed my faith in Duvan Zapata (€9.7m). 

Opponents Midtjylland are yet to pick up a point in the group stages and Gian Piero Gasparini will know that a win will do wonders for their chances of qualification. Zapata has been their talisman so far in the competition and will lead the line again on Tuesday. 

Wednesday, December 2

Sensible

This has to be Erling Haaland (€11.0m). A win will see Dortmund not only qualify, but be guaranteed group winners. Haaland is the top scorer of the group stages so far, with back-to-back braces taking him to six goals in four games. No-one seems to be able to stop the Norwegian wonder-kid and Dortmund should comfortably have the quality to beat Lazio. 

Differential

With five goals so far in the competition and his late red card on Saturday ruling him out of the next league game, Alvaro Morata (€9.0m) should get the nod up front for Juventus against Dynamo Kiev. 

While the Italian giants have been thoroughly uninspiring so far this season, Morata has been their saving grace on more than one occasion and Dynamo have been poor throughout the competition and struck badly by injury and positive coronavirus (COVID-19) tests. 

Who to bring in?

My rule here is to back players and teams who still have something to play for. The big sides which traditionally fill our teams have mostly qualified by this stage and will be heavily rotating, as we’ve seen with Bayern Munich leaving Robert Lewandowski (€12.0m), Manuel Neuer (€6.0m) and Leon Goretzka (£7.6m) at home for their trip to Madrid. 

Atletico Madrid know that they have to beat Bayern to leave qualification in their own hands and if they are to win, João Félix (€9.0m) will be involved. Borussia Dortmund need a win against Lazio to secure their qualification, with flying full-back Rafa Guerreiro (€6.0m) and attacking midfielder Gio Reyna (€6.5m) both top picks who look sure to start. 

Atalanta have been in poor form domestically, but last seasons quarter-finalists have two must win fixtures on the horizon. Wing-back pairing Hans Hateboer (€4.9m) and Robin Gosens (€5.5m) showcased their prowess at both ends against Liverpool and will be instrumental in any success the Bergamo side have from here on in. 

The teams in Group B and Group H still have all to play for, with PSG and Real Madrid among their ranks. Karim Benzema (€10.5m) is back fit and will be at the heart of Real Madrid’s action in Donetsk, the same defence which Borussia Mönchengladbach scored ten past over Matchdays Three and Four. 

Gladbach themselves come into this game in top form and Alassane Plea (€8.2m) and Marcus Thuram (€8.7m) will look to take advantage of an Inter Milan defence which looks far shakier than their recent form suggests. 

Group H is really too close to call, but PSG should have the quality needed against Manchester United and Istanbul Basaksehir to regain form and qualify. Kylian Mbappe (€11m) and Neymar (€11.4m) have looked poor so far in the competition, but only months away from their Champions League final loss, I have faith that the two will carry this side to the knockouts. 

Who to avoid?

As I’ve mentioned above, this is a stage in the competition where the European giants take a back seat. Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Barcelona, Chelsea and Sevilla have all qualified and expect both lacklustre performances and rotation as a result. 

Not too many injuries have been picked up since last week, with Eden Hazard (€9.4m) perhaps the biggest casualty. 

Good luck everyone.

Find out more on the official UCL Fantasy website

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 10

901 Comments Post a Comment
  1. sthelenslad92
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who would you start out of these 3?

    A) Bamford
    B) Soucek
    C) Lamptey

    1. AllINeedIsCoffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A not even a debate.

      1. sthelenslad92
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Against chelsea though?

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

      Lamptey

    3. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Soucek for me

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      C

    5. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    6. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If in doubt, start the striker. More fun to watch the game.

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

    Any suggested changes for this lot? I’m feeling like rolling a transfer

    Mendy,
    Chilwell,Vestergaard, Lamptey,
    KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Jota
    Kane, DCL, Wilson

    Bench: Forster, Cresswell, Kilman, Riedewald

    1. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yea roll the transfer. Or at least wait until end of the week until after champs league, you never know what might happen.

    2. All For One
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kilman> Dallas

  3. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    thanks for the article a good one

  4. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A & B.

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

      Sorry, reply fail to top post

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to play Justin or Lamptey?

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

      Probably Justin

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to bench Bam Bam or Antonio?

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

      Play Bamford surely. Antonio didn't look fully fit yest

  7. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Do you think Zaha is likely to play this weekend?

    Might need him if Villa / Newcastle is off.

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

      He should be back I reckon. Wait until the pressers and if the other game is postponed before making moves

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

    Great opportunity to ship out Martinez if/when the NEW game is postponed

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fixtures are awesome tho

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Who for ??? Johnstone, Mccarthy??

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

          I'm after Mendy

      2. FOMFF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Form is terrible

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

      I think that would be a bad move given that Villa would likely have 2 DGWs in Jan/Feb as a result.

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

        That is interesting

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've missed something here - why would it be postponed? Covid related I assume.

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

        whole NEW team in isolation

      2. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        can not training since last game

  9. AllINeedIsCoffee
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thinking of Gabriel to Walker or squeezing Mahrez or Wilson in there somehow. Probably going for G > W, what would you do? Something entirely different?

    Martinez (Macey)
    Gabriel - Chilwell - Robertson (Coufal - Mitchell)
    Grealish - Fernandes - Salah - Son - Jota
    Watkins - Bamford (Brewster)
    2.3mitb and 1 FT. Thanks!

  10. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    FPL should give us single free hit moves for Villa / Toon players if it gets postponed to another gw.

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lol. Wishful thinking

      1. FPL Theorist
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        People knew this could happen and yet they still went with rubbish benches.

        1. how now brown cow
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hey. I went for a rubbish starting XI I'll have you know.

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Like it 🙂

    2. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah but they wont

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

      LOL

  11. dicky2014
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    *Checks how many players in my Mini League have Villa and Newcastle players*

    I have none.

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've got two, but I can just bench them, so I'd be looking forward to a scenario where the engaged managers finally get rewarded for being prepared.

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        What's your bench? (before this news ofc)

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          McCarthy Bamford Targett Soucek

          Although I was planning to drop one of my starters to a non-playing fodder to enable Ziyech to Salah. That would force me to start Bamford and Soucek if the Villa game is off. Which is not too terrible.

          1. Pep bites Kun
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Not too terrible at all - nice bench. 3rd place rarely pays off though, but prob working for you this week. You can still do the Ziyech to Salah move though I presume, or you have to field a weaker sub?

            1. FPL Theorist
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Yeah, I brought in Castagne on my GW9 WC thinking he would be fit, which didn't work out, so I can do Castagne + Ziyech -> fodder + Salah for 2 FT.

              1. Pep bites Kun
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Sounds good - keep an eye on the injury updates and bol!

      2. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        You know the vast majority of active managers have ‘playing’ benches, right?

        1. dicky2014
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Still a big advantage with people having to play Bissouma over Grealish who has Newcastle at Home.

          1. FPL Theorist
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah, many have a non-playing second GK and at least some of the likes of Kilman, Mitchell, etc.

          2. Ozzy smith
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            I’m not disputing that.

            I’m replying to the “engaged managers finally get rewarded for being prepared.” comment. Just highlighting that the vast majority of engaged managers are engaged lol.

            1. FPL Theorist
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I will grant that there are actually some people in my MLs who have spent a lot more money on their benches than most of the Pro Pundits, for example. But there are many more who have nothing but non-playing fodder on their benches.

  12. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I presume if Villa are awarded a 3-0 win it will go down as a Grealish hatrick all assisted by Martinez?

    1. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      of course we can send email to FPL
      the most highly own players should be rewared goal and assist automatically

      😉

    2. A.J.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Even though Newcastle can't hit a barn door, pretty sure Martinez gets 2 save points also.

  13. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    It's quite amazing how many people are still signing Wilson even though the game might be called off. His price is going to rise tonight.

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don't know, but he's not flagged yet. PL/FPL need a process to flag covid as they do other incumbrancers to play

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

    Anyone else think Chelsea Leeds is going to be a goal fest?
    I can’t see Chelsea being overly cautious, and if the Everton Leeds game is anything to go by, there will be a lot of potential for Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner etc

    1. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Thought the same thing about Everton v Leeds.

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

        Me too! But it should have been! It was a ridiculous game, never seen anything like it

  15. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    watkins and grealish here, so its now my season turns to shite

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins, Grealish, Targett owner here

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anything confirmed

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

      Fino alla fine

    4. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I should be OK provided Zaha plays as I'll have him and Cresswell coming in for Grealish and Wilson.
      I'll just field 10 as not bothered about Martinez.

    5. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Watkins Grealish Martinez Wilson. Burke & Mitchell on bench. Gonna be fielding 9/10 even after hits.

    6. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nonsense: read twitter.com/BenCrellin.

  16. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I have 3 villas and I wish that game call off because i have a strong bench 😉

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

      That aint right

    2. HashAttack
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Far prefer Villa to play against a very weak NEW team
      Only 20% of the Top 10K have Martinez and Grealish

  17. dando89
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If the villa Newcastle game is off it screws my team and plans for next week. Hits will be required

  18. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    After this week and for a -4, how does this look?

    Out: Sterling, Ziyech and Vardy
    In: Bruno, Mo and Antonio/Watkins/Wilson

    Trying to figure out how best to get Mo in

  19. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wonder if deadline moves if game is cancelled?

    Would get more work done on friday.

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

    Apparently the game could be be postponed to midweek, so it would still be apart of gw11

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Source?

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

        Ben Crellin

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      But Newcastle would still have to field U-23s considering the positive tested players probably won't be available.

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        These u23s are usually under 20s now. Anyone 20-22 who is likely to be able to play is sent on loan by now at most clubs, unless recovering from a long injury. Will be helpful to know if postponed till midweek who likely not to play!

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The rule was if they have 11 players + 3 subs it goes ahead, but apparently the PL are looking at it on a case by case basis. It depends who the players are. All 3 GKs would be a nightmare. If it's only 1 or 2 from their starting 11 & a few players who are normally subs, maybe it goes ahead. Obviously all speculation on my part. I have 2 Villa Martinez & Grealish (Forster & Brewster would be my subs, so playing with 10, not wasting a transfer on a GK based on one postponed fixture.)

      Villa already have 1DGW TBA as they started GW2, I wonder if that will come into the thinking in terms of postponing & when it's scheduled.

      1. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If PL really evaluates based on players that are left, I can't imagine how that meeting goes.

        Requirement for at least 1 GK point would be fine but for rest of the players do they look up the player histories to figure out who can play where? Do they watch videos of the remaining players to determine if they are any good as well? 🙂

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

        Yep.

        The Premier League's coronavirus protocols say the game would only be postponed if Newcastle had fewer than 15 players available for the game, but each case will be determined individually.

    4. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      My mistake the rule was " team would be forced to play unless they had 14 players test positive".

      Newcastle haven't even formally applied for a postponement yet. Could be sky just dramatising it.

      Klaren: First team squad submitted at the beginning of the season is the obvious starting point, minus however many are unavailable due to covid. If less than 14 positive tests, by the rules it goes ahead, no postponement.

      In the same way us fans have a reasonable idea who their starting 11 is, I'd imagine the PL would do too. Previous team selections factoring in who was out injured would be a reasonable indicator. But again that bit was my speculation if they are looking at it on a case by case basis.

  21. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who will score more points in UCL this week?

    A) Zupata
    B) Ronaldo (will he even play?!)
    C) Haaland

    1. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Zupata sounds cool so he might do something.

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Zapata* lol

        1. Klaren
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I think Haaland is the safer option but Zapata might have a higher ceiling due to the opponent. I'd expect Haaland to score but not sure if Dortmund will thrash Lazio, it's likely to be a close game in my opinion.

  22. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why is Wilson still the highest transferred in player? He was rising last night and still today!

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

      He's still a good option if you have cover on bench.

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

      (For the next few games).

  23. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Watkins Grealish Martinez. Sigh

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Be fine for the DGWs

  24. JamieC180
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hey guys. Any advice appreciated, I'm stuck!

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Coufal, Justin
    Salah, Jota, Grealish, Bruno
    Wilson, Kane, DCL
    (Steer, Bisoumma, Kilman, Mitchell) [2m ITB]

    A) Kane --> Welbeck + Bisoumma --> KDB (c) (-4)
    B) Mitchell --> Dias
    C) DCL --> Jesus
    D) Hold

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A looks good to me. Wouldnt even entertain the other 2 options unless youre feeling punty.

  25. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well I transferred in Wilson for Watkins last Friday evening, as it seemed clear he'd rise this week, and had passed the eye test. Silly early transfer as it transpired, and no other free transfers left.
    Can I just keep this team, or should I take a hit, If so what? 0.2 itb
    McCarthy, (Peacock-F)
    Robbo, James, Coufal
    KDB (C), Fernandes, Ziyech, Zaha, Soucek
    Vardy, DCL
    Subs: KWP, Wilson, Konsa

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What eye test? He only had 1 shot?

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cummins!

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kneejerk

    3. Dichio24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No hit

  26. Vamos Los Celeste
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If Newcastle-Villa game postponed:
    1/ 0 points from Martinez
    2/ Mendy -4
    3/ keeper (4.9m) for free

    Thoughts?

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

      Just go keeper-less and field 10. That's what I'll be doing.

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This. DGW to come x2

    2. Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      If postponed, I'll transfer in a different keeper. Villa defence isn't giving me any confidence anyway, I'd rather get a keeper from a team with a more defensive mentality.

      1. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Not only an issue of CS, but a % of chances Villa concede are big chances which lead to less save points potential for Martinez.

      2. Klaren
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        high %*

    3. Carefree Crew
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm going GK less, playing 10.

      I wasn't expecting high points from Martinez, so it's a minimal loss. Certainly not worth a minus 4. Plenty of others will be in the same boat.

      I'm "guessing" it goes ahead anyway.

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Only villa player i'd consider selling if the game is postponed would be watkins. Surely Jack is on pens now?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would you play without Gk then?

    2. Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jack or Barkley maybe..

  28. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who will score more points this week in UCL?

    A) Zapata
    B) Ronaldo

  29. cutch
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Martínez - Steer
    Chilwell, Cresswell, Dias - Lamptey, Mitchell
    Bruno, Grealish, Jota, Sterling - Anguissa
    DCL, Vardy, Wilson

    1 FT

    Save and roll the FT, right?

  30. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wilson -> Jimenez done last night in what is likely to be my most silly transfer this season.
    May just end up WC'ing now if the Newcastle game is postponed on Friday.
    Could do with some upgrades overall anyway.

    Thoughts on this?
    McCarthy.
    Cancelo, Chilwell, Justin.
    Bruno (c), Grealish, Jota, Son.
    DCL, Kane (vc), Wilson.
    Button, Ayling, Mitchell, Bissouma.
    0ft, 4.4m ITB.

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

      How come you did that? Oh I think you meant jiminez > Wilson. Thought it was the other way around doh! Nah you'll be fine, could be moved midweek, and Wilson still good for fixtures after