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. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Christensen was class when he came on

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah we excellent. Denmark have a class team. Will surprise some people this Euro's

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Why no rodri in the team? Was a stalwart in the league team

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Pep thought he could just steamroll Chelsea.

    2. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Feel so suprised too. He on the bench tough

  3. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Guys it was a fairly equal game but Chelsea had that one moment they needed to score. Sorry but I have to admit it's one of the few times that a team wins the UCL but you can't even put them in the top 2 teams itw right now

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

      Chelsea had 3 clear chances (Werner, Havertz, Pulisic). City had none...

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        Pretty sure he's a City fan.

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

          Or picked 5 city in fanteam

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Chelsea's destroyer Kanté

    3. Supersonic Marv'
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      When Liverpool won it in 2005 they weren't in the top 10.

    4. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Check the xG

    5. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      It wasn't fairly equal. Chelsea were the better team by miles. Their defence was much better than City's. With more cutting edge Chelsea would have won by 3 or more, created a lot more chances but were wasteful at times. And Guardiola too slow to make switches. James had Sterling in his pocket and Pep never switched him.

  4. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Kanté at his best again
    3 baps from me

  5. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Pep roulette didn't pay off tonight..
    Well done to Chelsea & touchel, played their best team & deserved it

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah probably Pep tinkered too kuchb

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        *much

      2. Max City
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 10 months ago

        As usual then?

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

    KEPA MY MANAGER

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

    Players kissing the trophy like theres no COVID.

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

      Football is bigger than COVID

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

        Wow

  8. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Hary Kane if you wanna win titles you've seen tonight who are the winners.

    Blue is the color, Chelsea is our name !!!

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

    Got a feeling Aguero is going to end up staying, random I know

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Barcelona

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

        Is it a done deal?

        1. R.C
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 10 months ago

          Yes

    2. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Its a done deal. Aguero, Wijnaldum, Garcia play for Barca. Waiting for Depay and still deciding about Donnaruma .

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

    We have seen great defensive performances from City and Chelsea this year, but this match from Chelsea def was altogether different dimension of masterclass. They left Man freaking City on 1 shot on target for 97 minutes...

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      City bottled it, didn’t turn up

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

      Missed David Silva tonight

    3. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Thats the importance of DM. Rarely score goals but gives stability and orchesta team attack from behind.

  11. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    3/4 Denmark CB playing at Premier League ( Andersen Fulham, Vestergaard, Chistensen)

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

      Got Vestergaard in my Euro fantasy team

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

        Prefer Wass than him at 5.0

    2. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Yep, Denmark have a cracking squad right now (across all age ranges)

  12. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Congrats chelsea.. Well deserved

  13. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Both Manchester clubs lost on the finals lol

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

      they only finished top 2 cos both liverpool and chelsea were rubbish

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

    The beautiful game continues to surprise us:

    1) Chelsea winning champs
    2) Bamford second highest fpl striker
    3) Lingard bandwagon

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

      4) Stuart Dallas smashing the defender charts

  15. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    Tuchel's Chelsea beat Man City THREE times this season, one of them at the CL final, this is now some serious mental baggage for Guardiola facing Tuchel from now on

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

      Probably wanna Captain City players when they play them next season, I reckon they will go all out and smash them

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 10 months ago

      Ole should have won UCL as well if they face City in the final

  16. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 10 months ago

    So, Reece James over Walker and WB, Chilwell over Shaw for England?