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. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’m pretty fecked if this Villa game is postponed

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

      when*

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

        No

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

          apologise to me plz

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

      Me too..... martinez grealish and watkins

      Bench includes burke and mitchell. And I have cancelo too! Had planned to save ft!!

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

      Tell me about it, I have Watkins, Grealish and Targett.

      My bench is Bissouma, Kilman and Ferguson...... so I'm down to 9/10 men... .1ft, no wildcard...

      May just play with 10 as I don't want to transfer out any of the three above, maybe at a push do Watkins to Bamford, but Villa will then have two games in hand...... hmmmmm

      In another universe I'd have a 10 point haul from Watkins this week to soften the blow, but no. @rse

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

      Timing 😆

  2. Villa v. Newcastle postponed
    ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Game has been postponed:

    https://twitter.com/NUFC/status/1333813176157298693

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hulk and HT this

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      FML, did early transfer for Wilson

      1. BAMBAA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sama here

    3. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Damn just brought in Watkins lol

    4. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow. That's a problem.

    5. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Well...

    6. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Important to add here that it could be still in the same GW

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

        Can they play at the same time as the Champs league?

        1. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, it's just potentially a fine.

          They could also play Monday night

          1. Shineonme
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Not now if the fri game has been called off for sure.

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

        Surely not!

    7. Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Christ. 4 players and one FT

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

      Let the panic begin!

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

    Fek sake

  4. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Extra transfer pls fpl thanks

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

        No way, deal with it.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 3 months ago

            You deal with the free transfer

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

        FFS

      3. FantasyHero
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone playing UCL fantasy?

        What you think of this limitless team, any changes?

        Oblak Szczesny
        Gosens Romero Hakimi Angelino Hummels
        Salah Mane Sterling Sancho Bruno
        Haaland Gomez Ronaldo

        1. asdf_1
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          zapata instead of gomez?

          1. FantasyHero
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Ya I prefer that but why was he benched before?

      4. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sigh...there’s always something to stop saving a FT

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          *me

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

          Problem is with crazy price changes sometimes you have to make the free transfer early and forces to take hits or sink

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

            Then forced*

      5. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That was obvious and I expected it

        It’s well and good to have a ‘policy’ but when half a first team gets Covid and pressure comes piling in the PL will crumble very quick (and rightfully in my opinion) especially when it’s an easy game to re arrange

      6. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        WC'ed in Triple villa,Cancelo,Vardy and Ziyech among others in GW9 🙂

      7. tafrère
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Wait for more news. It could be postponed to tuesday or wednesday and still be part of GW11.

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It could, but surely they will just rearrange for later in the season without rushing when they can probably have fans in. Neither team in Europe so plenty of midweeks to choose from too.

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

            Is there plenty of midweek? That's Aston villa with two extra games already and if the get a decent cup run which is very possible the way they are playing then the pl might be looking to rearrange 4 games for them in the second half of the season which is already very congested due to a shorter season than normal. I don't think it will be in this gw either but I do think its going to be very tricky to fit it in.

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

          Not now no

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

        So, is the free hit worth it for your team?

        Let's say you had 3 Villa, Wilson, no City, no Chelsea, I'd say definitely.

        1. matiakez
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          In that situation and with no WC I would be seriously tempted.

      9. matiakez
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Guessing there's a lot of us with no keeper now this weekend? Is it worth a hit to get one? I'm thinking no currently?

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I probably will. Just debating whether to just move Martinez or get a second playing keeper.

        2. Big Hippo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I'm also thinking no... Johnstone arguable best fixture but it's WBA

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

          Nope

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

          Who to pick is the question

      10. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why I have to take hits for Fuchs sake have Jack and Watkins
        Mitchel nwko Williams subs not looking good
        Take hit or not worth it lads

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Wait for news on Friday the latest...

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

            Yea be waiting and I don't mind fielding 10 only no tasty fixtures anyway

        2. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Ohh they postponed it...

      11. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Looks like I'm doing Son to KDB for -4 and getting a keeper in with my free transfer 🙂

      12. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I guess there’s a chance it could be rearranged within the gameweek right?

        1. Big Hippo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Surprised they announced before the testing results from tomorrow. Thought it could have been played on Monday but guess not?

        2. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Doubt that very much

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

          Yes. Midweek is free, but it's whether it fits within the COVID guidelines surely.

        4. Geoff
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, could be

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

          I dont understand why they would do that

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

          Any idea how likely that would be?

          All I can see in the Premier League statement about rearranging is this:

          "The Premier League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture against Aston Villa in due course."

        7. Dr.Oftaw
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Doubt it

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

          Yes imho.

        9. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Imo for what its worth no

      13. Big Hippo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Grealish (TC) if there is a TRIPLE GAMEWEEK

      14. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Rage transfer of Martinez to Mendy 3 weeks ago finally pays off

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

          Ha! Don't think I'll be the only one thinking of making the same move as you this week.

      15. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Martinez & Grealish > Mendy & Jota?

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

        Another hit here I come!

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

        Grealish/Son > Jota/KDB (-4) and field 9, or just Son > KDB & field 8?

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

          I'd deal with your bench tbh.

      18. michaelington
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        How much do you think Grealish will drop over the next couple of weeks?

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

          Irrelevant, you’ll want him back straight away. He’s going to have 2 DGWs

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

        Son of a.... Never a dull moment in this game nowadays.

      20. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If you own Werner & Salah already, how do these two look with the news of Covid...

        Grealish & Martinez > Jota & Mendy?

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

        Thats 2 million Grealish to Jota transfers right there.

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

          You're telling me I can get people to fuel my already existing Jota fund AND have Grealish at lower ownership next week?

          Nice.

      22. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Every man and his dog going to have Jota now

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          for his benching this weekend

      23. FPL price manipulators are …
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Will FPL deadline also change?

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

          I expect so.

        2. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          According to the rules it should.

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

        NEED AN EXTRA FT 🙂

      25. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Why are people thinking of taking out Grealish? Mad considering it's just one game. OK granted if you don't have a great bench then fine, but the fixture list is still kind for the next 4!

        1. Big Hippo
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Plus potentially 2 DGWs...

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            This

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

          That is mad. But if many are like me and have 3 Villains, one has to go. I'll lose Martinez and bench Jack and Ollie myself.

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Ah right. Yeah I'm benching Jack and Ezri

      26. Big Hippo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        This is where the buying/selling value thing annoys me. If I drop one of Grealish or Martinez I'll have to pay more to buy them back, but I have 0.0 itb