Champions League

The strategies and captaincy picks of the top ten in Scout’s UCL Fantasy mini-league

With less than two weeks until the UEFA Champions League resumes, we’re looking at the managers who currently top the Fantasy Football Scout league in the UCL Fantasy game. This article will focus on the top 10 within our league, looking at how they’ve used their chips, their captaincy decisions and which players they’ve relied on to get them to the top.

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Chips

There are only two chips in the UCL Fantasy game: Wildcard (just like FPL) and Limitless (unlimited budget for one Matchday). Every player in the top 10 has used both of these chips in the group stage and clearly, they’ve used them well. Eight of the top 10 used their Limitless chip on Matchday Two and all scored over 80 points with it that week. In fact, every player in the top 10 scored over 80 points with their Limitless – Mo Hafiz (fourth) got 85 points on Matchday Three and Damjan (joint-eighth) racked up 90 on Matchday Six. This shows how powerful this chip can be when used right – without it, they would have very different rankings.

There’s a lot less consensus on when was the best point to use the Wildcard. The top two both used it on Matchday Four, five of the top 10 used it straight after their Matchday Two Limitless and the two who didn’t use the Matchday Two Limitless both chose to Wildcard that week instead. AlNasib, who sits fifth, chose to Wildcard on Matchday Six, having been in a strong position starting with consistent high scorers like Bruno Fernandes, Erling Haaland, Ilkay Gundogan and Angelino. This highlights that, whilst there is never a ‘right’ time to use the Wildcard, knowing when is right for your team can reap massive rewards. 

Captaincy

Captaincy has also played a key role in getting the top 10 to where they are. Of the 60 captaincy picks across the top 10, there have only been five blanks, with none of them having more than one. Forty-four of these 60 picks have been one of Neymar, Mbappe, Ronaldo, Messi, Haaland and Lewandowski, highlighting how effective going with the popular pick can be. None of the top three managers have varied from those players when choosing their captains. 

Midfield picks have been the least popular, with Salah, Felix, De Bruyne and Coman all donning the captain’s armband once, for an average of 16 points each. Interestingly, defenders have been captained seven times, with top-scoring player Cristian Romero accounting for five of those when captained for his Matchday Five and Six hauls. 

Neymar is the highest-scoring captain on average – backed by five of the top 10 managers for the first time in Matchday Six, he returned 36 points. Damjan’s differential pick of Coman on Matchday Four got him 24 points to be the second-highest scoring captain on average, closely followed by Romero with 22 points on average. 

From this, we learn that most of the top 10 managers stick with the consensus, the classic ‘big hitters’, and it’s got them to where they are now. Having two or more of these big hitters is a staple of all of these teams and their captaincy statistics speak for themselves. 

Key Players

Interestingly, every player in the top 10 started with Angelino’s 19-point haul on Matchday One. All of the top eight teams found some use for Wilmar Barrios as a cheap option for balls recovered. This aside, there’s very little consistency in the players used amongst the top 10, which demonstrates perfectly how many ways there are to skin the UCL Fantasy cat with the depth and variety of players available in the group stages. As the player pool halves going into the last 16, more of a template will likely come to the fore. 

Two or three big-hitting forwards have been at the heart of every team, supported by defenders who either score high for balls recovered or have high attacking threat – ideally both. Teams very rarely find a place for more than one premium-priced midfielder, with many preferring a selection of midfielders priced between 7-9m, knowing they’re unlikely to captain a premium option like Salah or De Bruyne.

All things considered, most of the top 10 have made it there in their own, individual way. The most common path was using Limitless in Matchday Two and Wildcarding the week after, using solely premium forwards as captaincy options, but this is by no means a set rule. People will still be able to make up ground quickly with chips still to be used and a lot of football still to be played. 

292 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    AWB/Stones/Justin
    Salah/Fernandes/Son/Gundo/Soucek
    Watkins/Bamford

    Peacok-Farrel/DCL/Mitchell/Killman
    1FT
    A. Mitchel to Cresswell, Bench stones
    B. Gundo to Grealish
    C. DCL to Anonio Bench Gundo
    D. Save FT

    1. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

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

      D

  2. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Captain?

    a) Bruno
    b) Son
    c) Antonio
    d) Bamford

    1. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bruno i would say

    2. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A but if you’re feeling brave C

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This

      2. marcos11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        My thoughts exactly, I’ll bare it in mind

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

        +1

    3. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I do not even want to hear Son's name

  3. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you bench Dcl and play Dier this gw ?

    1. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dier probably be dropped after last night's horror show

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He almost scored last night

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Not sure that’s how you judge a defender’s performance

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

      Never

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dier with legs like a sea anemone? Him.

    5. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  4. AC Yew
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    1- Start 3:
    Cancelo
    Stones
    Dier
    AWB
    Coufal

    2- McCarthy or Johnstone to either Pope or Martinez

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo
      AWB
      Coufal

    2. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo
      AWB
      Coufal

      McCarthy to Pope

  5. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bit of help needed please

    A Smith Rowe to raphinha. Will keep DCL on the bench and give me even more benching headache but Leeds mid a good option for the next couple of gws...

    B DCL to Antonio. Could get DCL following gw no issue as have 2 fts. Am a bit worried not owning Antonio v fulham and Sheffield ...

    C neither move and back to square one

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just a bit of help please 😉

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think no one is replying because it's a bit tough. But I would say C...I think LOL

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Haha ok cheers 🙂

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A and B look good.

      A...

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A as early prep for gw 24 and bench dcl ?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Steve. A bit concerned about not owning Antonio but a makes sense too. Cheers.

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I’m a bit concerned to, I have souceck and double def so hoping that covers it

  6. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy Forster
    Cancelo Dallas Justin Coufal Lowton
    Sterling Salah Bruno Gundo Romeu
    Antonio Bamford DCL

    2ft, 3.5itb

    Do just McCarthy to Pope and save other ft for next gw?

    1. Teomi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      forster to pope?
      McCarthy up for a dgw in 26

      1. iL PiStOlErO
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Depends if I will BB in dgw26 but I like Burnley fixtures...cheers.

  7. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    to bench :
    A. DCL
    B. Soucek
    C. Stones

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    3. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    4. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  8. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Coufal Shaw Cancelo
    Son Salah Fernandes Gundogan
    Bamford Antonio (c) Calvert-Lewin

    DDG TAA Dias Smith-Rowe

    Locked and loaded, bench in order ok?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think I'd start Dias for security, Cancelo may come off the bench!

    2. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gtg

  9. Jebiga
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one ?
    This is really tough

    1. Dias
    2. Cancelo
    3. Dier
    4. Dcl
    5. Grealish
    6. Maguire

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      One of city or 3

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Well you could bench 4 or 6 because they are facing each other.

      1. Jebiga
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        For now Dcl is benched

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start DDG or Martinez

    Or get Pope now for double gw?

  11. Balls of Steel
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with 2FT, 8.2itb

    Martinez
    Cancelo Coufal Stones
    Salah Bruno Gundo Soucek
    DCL(C) Antonio Bam

    Forster Robbo Holding Burke

    Robertson to Rudiger and Burke to Son?

    Cheers

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Upgrade forster to one of the dgw keeper

      Sure about captaincy?

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers on keeper, oops that C should be on Antonio 🙂

  12. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT, 5.8ITB.

    Johnstone -> Pope and roll the other FT?

    Martinez
    Dias Stones Dallas
    Gundogan Bruno Salah Son
    Bamford Antonio DCL

    Johnstone Coufal Bissouma Bednarek

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would play Coufal instead of Stones

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

        Will do actually. What of the transfer?

        1. Bavarian
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Pope will be great for the DGW but after that you will be facing benching headaches with 2 expensive GK'ers

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

            Will drop one after. Plus I bought Martinez cheap.

            1. Bavarian
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              do it then

              1. Bavarian
                • 6 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                why not Martinez to Pope?

  13. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Those with 2x MCI defence and Robertson, who are you benching ?

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Robertson 🙁

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would bench one City.

  14. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias-Coufal-Dallas
    Salah-Son(C)-Soucek-Bruno
    DCL-Antonio(VC)-Bamford

    Areola-Robertson-Holding-Bissouma

    2FT and 2.8itb

    What should be the next move?
    Robbo to who?
    Shaw/AWB/Mee/Alonso/Cancelo?

    1. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez to Pope an option?

  15. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start 3

    Cresswell (ful)
    Dallas (CRY)
    White (bur)
    Cancelo (liv)
    Dias (liv)

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On fixtures you'd fancy Cresswell and Dallas plus a Man City pick.

  16. tommo123
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy
    Dias Konsa Holding
    Salah Son(c) Fernandes Soucek Barnes
    Antonio Bamford

    Nyland DCL Mitchel Zouma

    3.4m ITB

    Really struggling on decisions this week, Hold or bring in MCI for the double?
    Any obvious changes?

    1. tommo123
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Still have WC, FH and BB

  17. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Only just seen the confirmations on the double game week team news. Surprised Villa aren’t in that list with their games in hand!

  18. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On fixtures and form, 2 ft:

    Salah to Raphinha?

    Or any other midfielder?

    Have Bruno, Son, Gundogan and Saka.

    Otherwise going to downgrade my second keeper for future funds for Vardy or Kane return.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Do you want raphinha this week ?

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think so. Home to Palace who have some injuries.

        Always open with Leeds.

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Saka in that case. Fixture and form say otherwise but losing Salah for him is a bad move imo. Gl

  19. Taegugk Warrior
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    play DCL or soucek..?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Has to be soucek

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soucek

  20. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When can we expect to know about the GW26 doubles?

  21. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s Pope gone up in price then?

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DGW fever

  22. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you do Martinez or Martin to Pope -4? Good fixtures and DGW incoming so maybe it is worth it?

    Martinez
    Cancelo/Justin/Coufal
    Salah/Bruno/Grealish/Gundo
    DCL/Antonio/Bamford

    Martin/Robo/Stones/Stephens

    1. Dele
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez to Pope

    2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      For a hit, never

      1. Atimis
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But for the next 4 games?

  23. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Dias Cancelo Coufal
    Son Sterling Salah Bruno
    Wilson Antonio Bamford

    Peacock Soucek Alioski Mitchell

    0.7 ITB and 2 FT. Any suggestions on transfers? Thinking about swapping Soucek for Raphinha in a few GWs, and actually maybe benching Salah for Soucek this round.

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Actually makes a bit of sense benching Salah if you’re playing double city def.

      Martinez to Pope?

  24. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    As long as Dallas plays OOP, do you think you would be fine with playing him even in a difficult fixture in case of an emergency?

    1. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm keeping and playing most games, as one assist / goal and he's scored as much as most DEF

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd prioritise a Burnley defender with likely Cs over a Dallas maybe assist.

  25. K_B_M_10
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy- Steer
    Cancelo, Stones, Coufal, Mithc, Justin
    Salah, Bruno, Soucek, Gundo, Son
    DCL, Antonio, Firmino

    Frimino to Bamford

    Who should I bench?

    1. Boly Would
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL, Stones, Mitchell

  26. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    8.2 ITB and 2FT... priority here?

    Martinez
    Coufal / Dallas / Cancelo
    Salah / Fernandes / Gundogan / Grealish / Soucek
    Bamford / DCL

    Button / Stones/ Holding / Brewster

    a) Upgrade bench keeper
    b) Upgrade DEF
    c) Upgrade Brewster

    1. Herman Toothrot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Button to Pope if you're planning on a BB

      1. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        And Brewster to Antonio or,dare I say it, Wood?

        1. G Banger
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          cursed words! but food for thought, cheers

  27. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Start Gundogan or Lookman?

    1. Here's Tom with the We…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gündogan

  28. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do? Chillwell out obviously but for who? Stay with Chelsea defenders? Maybe Justin or ManU?

    The team

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Dias, Stones, Coufal, Alioski
    Grealish, Salah, Bruno, sterling, Soucek
    Watkins, Antonio, Bamford

    2ft
    0.2 itb

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leicester have some tricky fixtures.

      Man Utd easier next 3 games.

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw or Rudiger/Azpi or maybe Mee in prep for the DGW.

  29. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah and Saka

    To Raphinha and Soucek for free?

    Yay or nay...

  30. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mendy
    Stones-Cancelo-Justin
    Bruno-Soucek-Barnes-Gundogan
    DCL-Bam-Wilson

    4m-Salah-Konsa-Mitchell

    2FT

    The plan was Dcl > Antonio. But with Everton’s DGW I should hold i guess.

    What move now?.

    a)Wilson > Antonio instead
    b) Mitchell >mee
    c) Foster > Pope
    d) any recommendations?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      All good moves.

      A first.

      1. House Frey Wedding Planner
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'm doing B (already have Antonio)

        Do both?