Champions League

UEFA Champions League final preview: Best Fantasy players for Chelsea v City

The UEFA Champions League reaches its climax in Porto on Saturday evening with an all-English match-up between Manchester City and Chelsea.

That means there is just one more chance for UCL Fantasy managers to climb up the overall ranks and compete for mini-league glory.

Even those of us who have had a torrid season (or have even yet to enter a team) will still get the chance to win something, with Matchday prizes – such as a Playstation 5 and replica shirt – up for grabs.

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UCL FANTASY TEAM HERE

Manchester City

Which chips are FPL managers using for Double Gameweek 26?

Pep Guardiola’s side are one game from the Champions League trophy. The Premier League winners have steamrollered their way through Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach to get to this point and haven’t really had to get out of second gear in doing so.

They’ve played a very similar line-up in most of their European knockout games so far and we’ll be able to see both teams’ line-ups before the deadline anyway.

We can expect Kevin De Bruyne (11.4m), Phil Foden (7.5m) and Riyad Mahrez (9.1m) to start up front. De Bruyne will play as a false nine, a position he has thrived in so far in this competition. He’s got three goals in his last five Champions League games and will be crucial to picking apart Chelsea’s incredibly resilient backline. 

However, when it comes to captaincy, Mahrez has four goals in his last three Champions League games, including his very impressive brace in the last tie against PSG. He has only 9% ownership and may well be on penalties, as well. 

Playing off the left wing, Foden scored in both legs against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals and set up one of Mahrez’s goals in the second leg against PSG. Foden is a great pick, especially given his price, but nevertheless remains the third-best option of the likely front three.

In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan (6.9m) and Bernardo Silva (7.6m) are expected to sit ahead of Rodri (6m) in a three. Gundogan has struggled to recapture his earlier goalscoring form, predominantly due to the return of De Bruyne from injury. 

Bernardo has started every knockout match for City this year but has just one assist from his last five games. Considering City’s front three are all registered as midfielders in the game, Gundogan, Bernardo and Rodri are much less appealing prospects. 

City’s defence is slightly harder to predict but as many finals are cagey and this Chelsea side aren’t as strong an attacking force as they are defensively, they’re definitely worth looking into. 

John Stones (5.2m) and Ruben Dias (5.8m) will start at centre-back and Stones’ set-piece threat makes him the more appealing option of the two. Stones got four Premier League goals in 22 games and although he’s yet to get off the mark in the Champions League, finals like this are often decided by a dead-ball situation or two.

At full-back, two of Joao Cancelo (6m), Kyle Walker (5.9m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (4.4m) will start, but it’s slightly harder to predict which pairing will get the nod. If he starts, Zinchenko is a great option thanks to his budget pricing. 

City come into this game as the bookies’ favourites, with the stronger team on paper and the better form. 

Chelsea

However, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea have beaten City in both the FA Cup semi-final and Premier League since the German took over at Stamford Bridge. Impressive against Real, Atletico and Porto on the way to the final, Tuchel’s side is built on its rock-solid defence. 

However, after keeping 19 clean sheets in Tuchel’s first 24 matches, Chelsea have now conceded in their last five games and won just one of those five. This lacklustre form, which has included an FA Cup Final defeat and a run for the Champions League spots in the Premier League, raises serious questions over the readiness of this Chelsea side. 

The Blues’ recent record against City and form in the Champions League knockout rounds so far still gives them plenty of room for optimism. Their line-up is harder to predict than City’s, but as mentioned above we’ll know it before the deadline. Mason Mount (6.9m) and Timo Werner (10.4m) will likely start in a front three alongside one of Kai Havertz (8.9m) and Christian Pulisic (8.7m). 

Werner’s biggest strength is that he’s likely to be the only player starting this game who’s registered as a forward, which should make him a no-brainer for anyone’s starting XI. His only Champions League goal under Tuchel came in the second leg of the semi-final. 

What started as a torrid season in front of goal for Werner has turned into a simply unlucky one, with what’s seemed like a constant stream of disallowed goals and overturned penalties embodying Chelsea’s bad luck, which has been a key part of their recent poor form. 

Mount has two goals in his last four European games and takes a lot of set-pieces for Chelsea. For his price, he’s a great option and has developed a knack of scoring in big games already. 

In midfield, Jorginho (6.3m) is a great option for UCL Fantasy. He leads all players left in the competition for balls recovered (78), which has brought him 23 points for that statistic alone. If he starts, the Italian is the main penalty taker for this Chelsea side and a bargain at his price. 

As mentioned, Chelsea’s backline has been integral to their run to the final and there are some solid options across their defence. Ben Chilwell (5.5m) has become a key part of Tuchel’s side and his late goal against Porto highlights his attacking threat. 

Across the rest of the defence, Antonio Rüdiger (4.9m) stands out. His assist in the first leg against Real Madrid means the German centre-back has only scored less than six points on one Matchday in the knockout stages, which is an incredible return for a player of his price. 

In goal, Edouard Mendy (5.5m) is the second-highest scoring player left in the competition. Whatever the result, Mendy will likely have plenty of shots to save.

Chelsea are the underdogs for this tie but they know how to win games and know how to beat Guardiola’s City. Thomas Tuchel lost a Champions League final just last year and so will come into this game motivated by those memories. 

This certainly won’t be the walkover some pundits seem to be forecasting and it’s definitely worthwhile having a side filled with both City and Chelsea players ahead of this game. 

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UCL FANTASY TEAM HERE

429 Comments Post a Comment
  1. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    There comes super Kun.

  2. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    If this ends 1-0 I'm gonna be livid

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Sterling off at last

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Out of James's picket.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        fence

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

        Lol yeah Sterling was frustrated by James.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez shite corner

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      I didn't know he was playing.

  5. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pulisic is awful

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Must have been learning from werner

  6. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Holddd Mendy!!

  7. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Based on the commentary here it seems that at least half of the players on the pitch are awful or worse.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not true, Chelsea on a whole decent (Werner apart) with outstanding Reece James.

      1. KAALI_DAAL
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Azpi is doing well as usual. So is Kante.

        1. el polako
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Agreed.

    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      James excellent
      Chillwell second best

      City awful

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Good assessment

    4. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Imagine this match FPLwise and it would be much worse...hehe

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I wonder in which minute this final was over for Fudgy ?

        1. Mario Balofail
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          season over after the goal?

  8. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kovacic baller

  9. justaguy9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kai havertz the new Mario goetze. A single goal in a major final will make him remembered forever irrespective what he does rest of career.

    1. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Like that Torres goal against Barca.

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

    Mahrez is a small game player

  11. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Aguero trying to chip mendy

  12. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mendy seems like a giant lol

  13. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pulisic gives the ball away every time he gets it

  14. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Can't believe I'm watching a City finals match with not a single City goal in it...

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Not even a shot on target

      1. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        That Mahrez weak shot counted 😀

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Ridiculous from Jesus

    1. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah. His face says it all

  16. justaguy9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Chelsea make a habit of winning cl against all odds. First in 2012 and 5 mins away in 2021.

  17. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    City have been just awful this match. Started off really well, but shown nothing after those first 10min or so.

  18. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Arghhhhh

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pulisic?

  19. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    7 minutes wtf

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Mahrez too predictable today

  21. justaguy9
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    7 added mins!

  22. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kante MOTM

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      James for me

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah he’s up there

  23. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why would anyone want to run with ball in Kante's direction ?
    Might aswell kick it away.

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Found his old form today, great timing

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        The old saying about form & class springs to mind.

    2. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Lol, so true!

  24. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Havertz is saucy

  25. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kante is such a joy to watch, what a fantastic player!

  26. Gangster Panda
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    John Terry has just been seen running to get his shin-pads on!

  27. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    For all his sucess, the number of times Pep has outplayed himself in major cup finals means he cannot be the greatest manager of all time.

    1. justaguy9
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yes. Agree. And most times his team gets knocked out in qf or sf

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      This.. where is all this "genius mind" when his teams really need it?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        I think he assumed Tuchel would counter his tactics and second guessed himself. All he had to do was play it simple and use the same tactics as the second half of the season.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          He does this all too often.

    3. Forza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      He's won 14 out of 16 finals including tonight. You have a point if you include semis and quarter finals though.

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 10 months ago

        By finals you mean quarters and semis right? Because if you mean just finals you're dead wrong

    5. justaguy9
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Can ederson do a Allison?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Grow a moustache?

    6. Ruinenlust
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Still 5 mins to go and City have resorted to playing long balls already?