Champions League

The best UCL Fantasy players to captain or sub on for Wednesday’s quarter-finals

We’re halfway through the first leg of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finals and there’s plenty more action to come this evening.

Let’s have a look at last night’s games and who the best UCL Fantasy players are for captaining or substituting in ahead of tonight’s matches. 

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UCL FANTASY SIDE HERE

Last Night’s Matches

Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund proved to be a lot closer than some people had predicted. From a Fantasy point of view, it’s left the game wide open for next week and we should see full-strength sides sent out from both teams. Kevin De Bruyne (11.3m) pulled the strings in midfield for City, scoring the opening goal from Riyad Mahrez’s (8.7m) cute pull-back. 

Dortmund really should’ve equalised after Jude Bellingham’s (6.5m) goal was ruled out. They defended well throughout and had a few good chances, with Erling Haaland (11.1m) not quite at his clinical best. When they did finally equalise through Marco Reus (8.4m), Haaland got the assist. 

However, De Bruyne’s beautiful deep ball into Ilkay Gundogan (6.5m) then set up Phil Foden (7.1m) to take the game away from Dortmund. BVB will be well aware that they only need one goal in next Wednesday’s reverse leg to see them through and will likely go out early to attack through Haaland and Reus. 

Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1, as the game’s previous highest-scoring defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold (6.7m), was exposed by Toni Kroos’s (8.1m) pinpoint passing. As the Reds have shown before in the competition, they can come back in even the most unlikely of circumstances. Between sides with such winning mentalities and UCL histories, the second leg will be incredibly hard to predict and may well bear no resemblance to last night’s smooth Real win against a pedestrian Liverpool. 

Tonight’s Matches

Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain meet in a repeat of last season’s final but there are key players missing on both sides.

The absence of Robert Lewandowski (12.1m) and Serge Gnabry (9.8m) should leave the door open for PSG’s quarter-final hero of last season, Eric Choupo-Moting (6.6m), to start up top for Bayern. Behind him, Thomas Muller (10m), Leroy Sane (9.5m) and Kingsley Coman (8.7m) all offer great options in midfield, with each of them capable of big hauls on their day. Leon Goretzka (7.7m) has developed a knack of scoring big goals for this Bayern team, not least in their 1-0 win over RB Leipzig last weekend and the winning goal against Borussia Dortmund. All of these midfielders are great Fantasy options with the potential to explode at any given time.

In defence, Joshua Kimmich (6.6m) is clearly the strongest option for Bayern because he actually lines up alongside Goretzka in midfield. Alphonso Davies (6m) is a good pick on the left-hand side of the backline, but will likely have more defensive duties than usual to contain PSG’s über-talented attack. In bringing substitutes on from both teams in this game, prioritise attack over defence.

For PSG, Kylian Mbappe (11m) and Neymar (11.6m) will hold the keys to their chances of success. Mbappe’s runs in behind caused Bayern problems in last season’s final and will likely do the same this evening, as PSG can expect to have to play on the counter against this fierce Bayern attack. Mbappe’s performance in PSG’s last-16 first-leg win over Barcelona marks him as a standout captaincy option for this evening, even with the Ligue I side expected to have a tough night. For the braver people among us, Choupo-Moting is a stronger player than he’s often given credit for and could score well as Lewandowski’s stand-in.

Chelsea and Porto’s fixture will likely be much more defensively focused. Porto are missing two key attacking talents in Sergio Oliveira (6.7m) and Mehdi Taremi (6.5m), which should play well into the hands of Thomas Tuchel’s side. This gives Chelsea a great opportunity to take a lead into the second leg, as they know Porto will have to defend more than they’re perhaps used to. As a result, Chelsea’s attacking options like Mason Mount (6.9m), Kai Havertz (8.5m) and Olivier Giroud (7.7m) are well placed to score well tonight, even against Sergio Conceicao’s robust 4-4-2. 

Edouard Mendy (5.2m) is the highest-scoring goalkeeper in the game and can keep up that form tonight against Porto’s diminished attack. In front of him, Cesar Azpilicueta (5m), Reece James (4.9m) and Ben Chilwell (5.3m) should all start and offer threat at both ends of the pitch. Chelsea defenders should be a priority to substitute on this evening. The Bayern-PSG game is likely to produce higher-scoring players overall, but Mount, Havertz, Giroud and Chilwell are all differential captaincy options tonight.

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UCL FANTASY SIDE HERE


227 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Choupo Mouting is starting in CL quarter final for Bayern against PSG and couldn't start for the relegation battle Stoke? I simply don't get it

    1. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe that's why they got relegated?

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Someone can grow, develope and become better over time!?

    3. Mr Bird
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You’re only ever as good as the players around you.

      1. Silecro
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Interesting, although i often feel Raphinha is a lot better than the players around him, including Bamford

        1. Mr Bird
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He definitely stands out but imagine his potential if he played for the likes of Bayern.

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Because He couldn't do it in a cold windy night in Stoke ...

  2. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Just doing this by eye so may be slightly out but Pogba appears to have a horrid effect on Bruno

    Started 15 times together and Bruno has 3 double digits
    Other 15 games and Bruno has 8 double digits

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Check for goal threat only. I'm sure Pogba gives Bruno more goal threat from eye test. Creativity must reduce because he shares some burden

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Ty mate

        Completely lost for a captain this week and was weighing up Bruno. Spurs defence is wretched really. It's either him, Kane or Jota on my set up I think.

        Spurs United as a 0-0?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I'm pretty sure it'll end with 2/3 goals max.
          Will be a dull affair ....
          (I hope not and drubbing at the hands of Kane-Son lol. That was badass !!)

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I'd © Bruno ahead of Jota purely because he's definitely going to start IMO

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Makes sense

  3. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What do you suggest for this WC draft, friends?

    Martínez / Forster
    TAA / Dias / Cresswell / Rüdiger /  Coady
    Salah / Bruno / Son / Gündogan / Lingard
    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I like it but Coady and surely Martinez race has nearly run?!

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I think I'm willing to stick to Martinez and Coady was mainly because of funds.. thank you very much for the feedback, sir!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Do you have BB to come? Coady seems excessive as 5th defender.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        You're very right. Here's what I've been thinking about now, without TAA, but DCL instead of Vydra:

        Martínez / Forster
        Dias / Cresswell / Shaw / Rüdiger / Philips
        Salah / Bruno / Son / Gündogan / Lingard
        Kane / DCL / Iheanacho

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Prefer that one I think or simply sticking with Vydra and plenty itb for the predictable unpredictable event.

          1. sirmorbach
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Thank you very much indeed, sir, that's very kind of you

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

      Have you copied Az’s WC draft. Looks remarkably similar to his version. Haha!!

    4. bso
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mendy or Ederson for Martinez. Maybe Cresswell for Dawson and upgrade Vydra.

      1. sirmorbach
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Thank you, sir!

  4. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    One week punt,Pulisic or Pereira?

  5. Deer-in-headlights
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    On WC
    Which is better?

    A. Ings + Son
    B. Vardy + Maddison (already have Nacho)

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How important is Salah on WC?

    1. Champ
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would defo get him tbh. Taking a punt on someone like vardy instead needs things to go right for him and not so well for Salah for example. It depends on your strategy/risk tolerance - good luck either way

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No reason to get him on form of course. Probably wise to leave a route into him if you do avoid him.

  7. as33
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Cancelo wont start this gw?

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No one knows apart from Pep. Your guess is as good as anyone else’s.

  8. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Reposting for further advice

    Best option?

    A. Ayling >> Robbo (free)

    B. Ayling, Gundo >> TAA, Neto (4pt hit)

    C. Ayling/Veltman, Watkins/Antonio >> TAA, Iheanacho (4pt hit)

    D. Stones, Ayling >> TAA, Saiss (4pt hit)

    FH available for BGW33

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      C or D look as if they could work. If you want a hit I'd go C over D.

      Unconvinced by Robbo and might just get Phillips instead. Wouldn't take out Watkins Antonio for Neto.

  9. The White Pele
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    will Mount start vs Cry?

    1. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Mosdef

  10. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who knows. MC could stumble to the league with
    Key players rested for the Cups

  11. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Watkins > Vardy for free? Have exact money

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  12. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who worth the -4?

    A) Ings
    B) DCL
    C) Wood
    D) just bench Bamford

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe A

      Who would you play if not Bamford?

      1. balint84
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Martinez
        Rüdiger-Andersen-Coufal/Dunk
        Salah-Jota-Bruno-Lingard-Raphinha
        Kane-Watkins

        bench: Dallas-Bamford-Coufal/Dunk

  13. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pope
    Shaw Rudiger TAA
    Auba Saka Son Jota Sterling (c)
    Kane Jesus

    Gtg for the weekend?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      yep, love the Sterling captaincy

  14. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone on WC keeping Bamford?

    I know he's a bit out of form but the fixtures after GW33 are great and to be honest I can't seem to find better replacements. My other strikers are Kane and Inheancho

    1. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I actually wish I did, regretting selling him on WC, possibly a heavily rotated City next then TAA and Nat Phillips.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think his lack of form is a bit overstated personally

      He was hooked against SHU as he wasn't fully fit according to plan. They may not show up in stats but he could easily have had a couple more recently from ultra marginal offsides. If anything I'd say Leeds attack is looking sharper now than it has for a while.

      I may lose him on my non WC side but I'm not in a particular rush.

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Think im keeping

  15. Isca Extremadura
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Jesus, PL game 11 days running from Friday 16th April

  16. balint84
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Son or Jota?

  17. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I'm at a bit of a loss on what to do with this lot, no chips left. Any advice appreciated.

    1ft, $2m ITB
    Martinez, Button
    Digne, Shaw, Cresswell, Dallas, White
    KDB, Bruno, JLingz, Gundo, Lookman
    Kane, Rich, Bamford

    Is it Gundo out or get rid of the toffees? Maybe Jota or TAA?

  18. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is this correct benching order?

    Pope
    Dias, Coufal, Digne
    Bruno, Son, Gundo(c), Lingard, Raphinha
    Kane(vc), Vardy

    Martinez, Dunk, Bamford, Dallas
    0ft, 0.0 itb

    Maybe play Dunk ahead of Coufal?

  19. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick one for this week.

    A) Gündo
    B) Jota

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota

    2. sneif4
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jota

  20. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Help me choose one WC 31/BB 32 team?

    Areola | Johnstone
    Dias Shaw Coady
    Salah Bruno Son Lingard Saka
    Kane Richarlison
    | Iheanacho Phillips Amartey

    OR

    Areola | Johnstone
    Dias Pereira Rudiger
    Salah Bruno Jota Lingard Pereira
    Kane Lacazette
    | Iheanacho Shaw Coady

  21. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    3 step plan:

    1) Take any GW31 wildcard team
    2) Replace Coady with Fofana
    3) Thank me later

  22. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How are these moves? 4 mil itb.

    Trossard, DCL and Tierney to Salah, Nacho and Holding/Philips

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Decent

  23. chrismoo75
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Did I miss some news. Why are people getting TAA in?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      33 points in last 5 matches seems reasonable form. Mo has 18 in the same time frame.

    2. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He looked decent in his last EPL match, got a nice assist. Liverpool's run is a good one, and they have a place in the top 4 to fight for. Trent wasn't looking too hot in yesterday's CL match, though.

  24. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you take out KDB and get Salah IN for a -4?
    (I'm already on a -4 so this would move to a -8)
    +also wouldn't have to worry about benching headaches with the blank on KDB coming up too. Maybe something to do the following week, just wondered if it was something that would really be worth it this week?

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Would you captain him? If so maybe yeah

      1. Avery
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        yes would be captaining

  25. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Saiss or Coady on wildcard?

    1. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Coady

  26. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which do you prefer?
    A)
    James veltman mitchell
    bruno

    B)
    Alonso dias shaw
    Lingard

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      b

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers

  27. sneif4
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any idea what to do with this lot? I've still got WC, BB and TC. I feel like it should be WC, but annoyingly don't think I'd change much

    Martinez
    Azpi Dias Dunk
    Bruno Son Lingard Gundo
    Kane Bamford Antonio
    4.0 Raph Dallas Lewis

  28. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How are they so quick in the CL to check VAR for offside but in the PL it takes forever...

  29. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Either of these worth a -4?

    Gundo > Jota
    Antonio > Iheanacho

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maybe the second one

    2. A. PRISE
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Definitely Antonio. Not sure about Gundo, he might start against Leeds

  30. Hazardous1983
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What to do with this

    Areola (sanchez)
    Stones rudiger dawson (targett dallas)
    Jota son bruno salah gundogan
    Watkins kane (bamford)

    0.3m in bank 0 ft