Champions League

UEFA Champions League Fantasy 21/22 Discussion

After FFFrog’s article on the best UCL Goalkeepers, it’s time to begin planning your Fantasy UCL teams in preparation for the start of the competition next Tuesday. In order to help you plan your teams, comments below this dedicated article will be limited to UCL Fantasy only – feel free to discuss your latest thoughts, drafts and ideas!


For those of you new to the game, I strongly recommend giving ElFozzie’s beginner’s guide to UCL Fantasy a read to get you up to speed before you dive into setting your Matchday 1 teams up.

If you wish to join the Fantasy Football Scout UCL Fantasy league, the code to enter is 33TKWHOD07.

I personally can’t give much insight into Fantasy UCL, so I’ve enlisted some help to get you going…

Matchday 1 Fixtures

Tuesday 14 September 2021

Young Boys vs Manchester United
Sevilla vs Salzburg
Dynamo Kyiv vs Benfica
Barcelona vs Bayern
Villarreal vs Atalanta
LOSC vs Wolfsburg
Malmö vs Juventus
Chelsea vs Zenit

Wednesday 15 September 2021

Beşiktaş vs Dortmund
Sheriff vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Club Brugge vs Paris
Manchester City vs Leipzig
Atlético vs Porto
Liverpool vs Milan
Sporting CP vs Ajax
Inter vs Real Madrid

For future planning, however, you may wish to check out FPL_Austria’s season ticker that they’ve kindly put together, along with his watchlist of the top players to target in each position.

You can check out the full ticker and watchlist here which will be updated regularly as the competition progresses. Austria also has a series of Twitter threads detailing some of the best options from each UCL Group, so make sure to chuck them a follow if you enjoy that content.

Matchday 1 Predictions

We also have a series of predicted results for Matchday 1 provided to us by the superb FPL Facts

A full version of his predictions that powered Facts to OR 5 by MD3 last season can be found here along with some of their top picks for the week. You can expect more projections work during the competition so make sure to chuck them a follow if you’re on Twitter!

Set-Piece Takers

Finally back over to FPL Austria again for a superb list of predicted penalty takers for each time to help pad your squad out. It can be really tricky to predict who will be on penalties at the start of the season but this is a great list to get you prepared.

Many thanks to Mullered in Maenam for recommending we create this article, and of course to FPL_Austria and FPL Facts for their help putting this article together, please do check them out on Twitter for more UCL related content.

Let’s see your Fantasy UCL drafts!

66 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rotation's Alter Ego
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hey all, as I say just a short community article that we can limit comments on to just UCL Fantasy so you have somewhere to discuss your teams and plans.

    I won't be playing myself this year, so again a big thank you to FPL Austria and FPL Facts for kindly providing some top-notch assistance here! If anyone wants to take over and post their own short little articles for following matchweeks, perhaps looking at their top picks of the week or even just what the weeks fixtures would be, you'd be more than welcome!

    Enough talk - let's see those drafts and what you're thinking as I'm sure there will be many new players this year

    1. Mullered in Maenam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      UCL

      Hi everyone, to get the ball rolling here’s the squad I’ll likely go with. There is still a week to go and some international matches and the forthcoming league games across Europe to be played so there may well be some injuries that will necessitate some tweaks but here goes:

      Mendy

      R. James – Varane – Roussillon

      Bellingham – Gundogan – Christiansen – Junuzovic

      Lewandowski – Haaland – Lukaku

      Bench:
      Stekelenburg – TAA – Marquinhos – E. Alvarez

      A few notes:

      - the bench is set for them to come in on the second day of MD 1 (manual substitutions) if required, which they undoubtedly will be.

      - I’ve set up to have this squad for the first five matchdays. A very popular strategy last season was ‘Limitless’ Chip in MD 2 and WC in MD 3. I did this last season to get an early lead but got caught out in the knockout rounds so I’d like to keep my WC this season for later in the competition if possible.

      - Over the last few years I’ve found going big up top and in defence and being light in midfield has worked best. That’s just my observation not a hard fact.

      - My punt is Anders Christiansen of Malmo for MD 1 at home to Juventus. If there’s going to be an upset somewhere I reckon this could be the place to look. (Do look at FPL Facts predictions above, they shout out loud for an away win) Malmo are half way through their league season (top of the league) and they have three stand out players who excelled in their 8 UCL qualifying matches. If you fancy a punt the Malmo players to watch out for are:

      Colak (FWD, 6.5m) 5 goals in UCL qualifying matches
      Birmancevic (MID, 6.0m) 4 goals in UCL qualifying matches
      Christiansen (MID), 6.0m) 2 goals in UCL qualifying matches

      (No assist info available for the above)

      On current league form Christiansen (Team Captain and penalty taker) is out in front. In their last 6 Allsvenskan matches that they’ve played:

      Christiansen - 3 goals, 4 assists and 9 bonus pts
      Birmancevic – 4 goals, 0 assists and 8 bonus pts
      Colak – 5 goals, 0 assists and 3 bonus pts

      Juventus haven’t had the best start to their season but they are a quality side and on paper should win comfortably so Christiansen is a very much a punt. I do play Fantasy Allsvenskan and have some knowledge of Malmo however Meltens is the FFS expert on Allsvenskan (and the official Allsvenskan website Scout) and he may very well disagree with me. If he does, go with what he says! Just to note, Christiansen is banned from this coming weekend’s league match so will be fresh for the Juventus game.

      - my other tip/punt is Jerome Roussillon of Wolfsburg. At 4.0m in UCL I think he’s a bargain. I also play the Bundesliga fantasy game and he was one of the first names on my teamsheet. Wolfsburg are currently top of the Bundesliga with three wins from three. Roussillon has two clean sheets and a goal in those three matches. He also has two yellow cards from his first three league games.

      Good luck everyone.

      1. The Son-dance Kid
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        A heard of this Baku fella at Wolfsberg. 5.5 def who plays OOP in mid. You think Rous is a better option?

        1. Mullered in Maenam
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Yep, Baku is decent player for the price, he has 10 goals and 10 assists in 93 appearances in the Bundesliga. Has one goal in three matches this season. Roussillon is a great price at 4.0m, he's the one for me.

          1. The Son-dance Kid
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Thanks for the tip. I might steal him for my team then

            1. Mullered in Maenam
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              It's always worth checking for any injuries before the matchday kicks off and for German teams I find this site useful. The suspensions of course relate to the Bundesliga not UCL - https://www.sportsgambler.com/injuries/football/germany-bundesliga/

  2. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks Ro!

    First time playing for me - after trying out the Euros Fantasy thought this might be fun to follow up with.

    Any tips for beginner? Chip strategies?

    (My goal is to win a PS5 however that happens).

  3. Mullered in Maenam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thank you RAE, very much appreciated, RogDog, one tip to start with after a few years of playing. Money up top and in defence and light in midfield. I'll post again later in the week but that's how in general I've found it.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Thanks - almost exactly counter to my FPL strategy!

    2. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Of all the expensive midfielders though, you don't think Salah is worth it? Great record in Europe, European nights at Anfield with crowds, the 2 'easier' fixtures in the group to start with.
      Not worth a shout?

      1. Mullered in Maenam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Can't argue with Salah, I just like Lewandowski and Haaland, great captain picks and they play on different nights so can swap the armband if needed. That said, I'll likely captain Lukaku on the Tuesday night as he's at home.

        1. OLA
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          You could have all three of them - Lewa, Haaland and Salah

          1. Mullered in Maenam
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Yep could do, I just have feeling that Lukaku could score better in MD 1.

        2. Zeh.07
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Between big rom and mbappe, what's your opinion on going for mbappe,and since you have rom in your team by how big of a margin do you prefer lukaku? Purely speaking of md1.

          Also I plan on keeping atleast one of kimmich or TAA throughout ,who do I chose for now ,not a small headache for me that one , again just for the first couple of games I'd like to hear your thoughts.
          Cheers.

          1. Mullered in Maenam
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Hi Zeh, my thinking about Lukaku for MD 1 is that he'll definitely play (given he's fit) and at home. PSG have four forwards Mbappe, Messi, Neymar and even Icardi. Not sure who will start or how many minutes each will get, they have a home league game this weekend perhaps the line-up from that may give some clues.

            In the league Mbappe has started all four so far (3 goals), Icardi has started three matches (2 goals), Neymar has started one and Messi hasn't started any yet. As far as I can tell all four are fit. Also Di Maria and Drexler have both played advanced roles in some of the league games.

            As Chelsea and PSG play on different nights no reason you couldn't go with Lukaku and Mbappe and switch captain to Mbappe if Lukaku blanks.

            I have TAA and will keep throughout, I do want Kimmich and may tweak my squad around to get him in and if I did, again he'd be a season keeper. TAA shades it for me but very little in it.

  4. OLA
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks very much.

    The format of that fantasy I really like while Euro 2020. Especially the substitutions.

  5. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I was rubbish at the Euros game and gave up almost immediately.
    Current squad:
    Kobel/Musso
    Hakimi/James/Darmian/Acuna/Mazraoui
    Reus/Suso/Chukwueze/Klaassen/Jorginho
    Ronaldo/Haaland/En-Nesyri

    Is this too balanced and am I putting too much emphasis on manual subs?

    Also is anyone playing the Fanteam UCL group stage game? Similar in that you have 2 free transfers each week but just a starting 11.

    1. The Son-dance Kid
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Given the 3 points for MOTM, I'd be inclined to pick 3 heavy hitters (either 3 big forwards, or 2 big forwards plus 1 mid) who above all are likely to get a goal or more, and therefore more likely to nab the 3 bonus points. The two you have (Haaland and Ronaldo) are great, but I'd try fit 1 more in. Lewa, Salah are two examples

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ok thanks for the fb, I'll give it a bit more thought together with what chip strat to go for.

  6. The Son-dance Kid
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    My team currently. Will revisit after this weekend's fixtures have been played. Early days yet

    Mendy | Kobel

    Azpi | Wan-Bissaka | Baku | Carvajal | Roussillon

    Salah | Casemiro | Jorginho | Correa | Bakayoko

    Haaland | Ronaldo | Depay

    Hopefully Chelsea get a penalty this weekend so I can see if Lukaku takes them. If so, Jorg is out of my team.
    Depay --> Braithwaite is a consideration as this will give me an extra $2.5m to strengthen elsewhere

    1. OLA
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Depay is brave pick

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

        He is in an incredible form, and could be a bargain @8.5M. He is even takes PKs. Only issue is that first fixture against Bayern.

        1. OLA
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          But it's a big issue. Me personally, i like the pick of Depay, but probably not for the first gameweek

  7. OLA
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    My very first draft is below, any opinions and thoughts are welcome:

    Bounou

    Maehle Alonso Acuna Roussilon

    Musiala G.Reyna

    1. OLA
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      My very first draft is below, any opinions and thoughts are welcome:

      Bounou

      Maehle Alonso Acuna Roussilon

      Musiala G.Reyna Salah

      Lewa Haaland El-Nesyri

      Subs Pyatov Lodi Stepanenko Correa.

      Though picks of Alonso and both Correa and Lodi need t

      1. OLA
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Need to correct*

        Besides, don’t like to be without Lukaku.

      2. Mullered in Maenam
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Reyna has picked up a hamstring injury, looks like he could be out for a month or so - https://www.sportsgambler.com/injuries/football/germany-bundesliga/

        1. OLA
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Thanks!

            1. OLA
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 6 months ago

              Bad to me. Thanks very much!

  8. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Just realised we can see the Sevilla and Utd teams before ko on game 1 - so that will dictate my team entirely. Might as well hash out the team during that hour.

  9. turbonas991
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    When do you guys plan to play limitless? I prefer to use it GW4 as most of the big clubs has quite easy fixtures. And I prefer GW4 more than GW3 as big clubs will have more home matches played.

    1. FPL_Liger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      MD3 for me is looking like the choice pick for fixtures and home advantage.

  10. Mullered in Maenam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Big thanks to FFFrog for his articles on UCL, very helpful.

    1. Mullered in Maenam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mini-League

      I've set up a mini-league if anyone wants to join - code is: 56MEMKK504

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Joined!

        1. Mullered in Maenam
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Nice one, Rogdog, be interesting to see the different approaches we all take.

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

    Good article, thanks! Here's my squad at the moment. What do people think?

    Bounou / Stekelenburg

    Azpilicueta / Rudiger / Wan-Bissaka / Acuna / Alaba

    Goretzka / Mount / Torres / Reus / Alvarez

    Adeyemi / Lewandowski (day 1 c) / Haaland (day 2 c)

  12. Zeh.07
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Depay - Y. En. Nessyri
    Correa - Grealish
    Kimmich - Hakimi
    Reece - azpi
    Marquinhos - AWB

    Consider players on the left as one team and ones on the right as the other, which group would have greater cumulative points? (overall a better fantasy pick) Not the individual players but one set (left or right)

    Also individually depay or nessyri md1?

    I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts...

    1. Mullered in Maenam
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Left hand side for me, I have three from the left side group in my squad, none from the right hand side.

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

      Left hand side for me too.

      Depay has UCL pedigree, appears in the UCL predicted points tool (En Nessyri didn't). En Nessyri has been sharing some goals with Lamela too.

      Grealish over Correa but can't be certain of Jack starting so opting Correa

      Kimmich is on set pieces and potentially OOP though I have Hakimi in my team. Kimmich first fixture isn't great though (vs Barca) so avoiding Bayern assets this week.

      Reece edges it over Azpi , if he starts . We'll know before the transfer deadline at K.O

      Marquinos plays close to home against Club Brugge, AWB's trip is a little further afield, though both good picks there

      1. OLA
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        With Grieazmann in the squad, I doubt that Correa is as nailed as at the beginning of the season. Plus, before signing of Antoine, Correa played kinda as second striker, much higher than against Espanyol last weekend.

  13. fpl_austria
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    I've now updated my spreadsheet (players/teams that already have played this weekend).

    Thanks, for liking, sharing and following me!

  14. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ok - first real attempt at a team being put together - mostly based on FFS articles and my own vibes.

    Bounou (Pyatov)
    Gosens, Kimmich, Varane, Rousillon (Alexander-Arnold)
    Reus, Lingard, Palhinha (Solomon, Alvarez)
    Lewandowski, Lukaku (C1), Haaland (C2)

    I'm a sucker for Lingard - and feel like he will get a decent go in UCL early on. But could do;
    Lewandowski + Lingard > Depay + Mahrez?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Actually thinking
      Lewa+Lingard > Depay+Sane

      1. OLA
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Looks like Sane will be on the bench while Coman starts

        1. RogDog_jimmy
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          Cheers Ola. Really hoping the lineup for Man U shows Lingard and I go with my original plan.
          Someone/Coman instead of Sane is possible for sure.

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I've got Solomon too but curious why he has red circle on Fanteam suggesting he won't play.
      He's in the team on whoscored and shakhtar have early game so I guess worst case scenario we just leave him on bench if he doesn't start.

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        looks like he came off the bench in the last game, but started the one before. so not sure what's up.

  15. Lamhesh
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hi,

    Join my UCL fantasy league.

    CODE:665WOUGT07

    You can also join my UCL match predictor league.

    CODE: 86JBSK0GLV

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I joined up both !

      1. Lamhesh
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks.

        Please share with your friends.

  16. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thanks for everyone's help on here, particularly Mullered whose league I have joined. (what does the number in the tiny green shield mean?)
    Think I'm locked in on my team now, with Hakimi + Alvarez over Lamela + Alonso/AWB with a switch to the latter if Lamela is named.

    1. FPL_Liger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Would monitor Lamela.. I looked at him but he's not really managed more than 45 minutes per match in the domestic season at Sevilla . Last 3 games : 30,45,45

      On my watchlist though

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah I don't expect him to start based on that but he is always coming on and doing numbers. We get to see the Sevilla lineup before committing so if I see Lamela named I will go for him I think in addition to Suso (7m) as I really fancy a lot of goals in that Salzburg game.

  17. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A) DCL > Bamford (FT)
    B) DCL, Benrahma > Bamford, Raph (-4)

    Think I’m just gonna do A and play Williams

    Sa
    TAA, Semedo, Tierney, Williams
    Salah, Jota, Benrahma, Traore
    Ronaldo, !DCL!

    4.0; Allan, Livra, !Antonio!

    1. FPL_Liger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wrong thread- UCL here chap

  18. Ikhwan Amzar
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    My team:
    GK- Bounou, Pasveer
    DF- Alonso, Danilo, AWB, Acuna, Mazraoui
    MF- Valverde, Alvarez, Bellingham, Mount, Pogba
    FW- Haaland, Lewandowski, Benzema
    Thoughts?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Wish I had an opinion! I know so little - totally in this for the fun of it

  19. FPL_Liger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hi guys,

    I've been playing UCL the last 4 seasons and have landed 3 Top 1% finishes including a best OR of 700. My current team (subject to change on line-up reveals) is below. Each sub player plays on the 15th so should be able to swap in for any duds tonight..

    GK Vlachodimos (4.5)
    GK Kobel (4.5) (Sub)

    Def: Maehl (5)
    Def: James (5.5)
    Def: Acuna (4.5)
    Def: Roussillon (4)
    Def: Hakimi (6.5) (sub)

    Mid: Danilo (5)
    Mid: Pogba (8.5)
    Mid: Jorginho (6)
    Mid:Alvarez (4.5) (sub)
    Mid: Mahrez (9) (sub)

    Att: Haaland (11)
    Att:Lukaku (10.5)
    Att: Ronaldo (11)

    If you would like to join the FPL Euro Liger Mini League the code is : 19AMU8ES04. Twitter: @FPL_Liger

    Thanks,
    FPL Liger

  20. OLA
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, any thoughts and opinions are welcome:

    Bounou (Pyatov)

    Trippier Christensen Acuna Roussillon (Mazraoui)

    Mount Jorginho Salah (Reus Alvarez)

    Lewandowski Haaland En-Nesyri

    Me personally, i do not like the absence of Benzema considering his form, not decent defence of Inter and the following fixture

  21. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Late tweaks - took some money out of midfield and moved it into the defense

    Bounou, Pyatov
    Gosens, Kimmich, Baku, Hakimi Alexander-Arnold
    Reus, Musiala, Palhinha, Solomon, Alvarez
    Lewandowski, Lukaku (C1), Haaland (C2)

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lewa = Depay in this one oops.
      Wish I had extra money.

  22. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Worth keeping Ronaldo as captain in UCL or pass it to Haaland or Mbappe?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I’ll be moving it on to Haaland.

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He is a beast, probably a good choice.