Champions League

UEFA Champions League Fantasy semi-finals first-leg preview

This week begins the penultimate stage of the UEFA Champions League, as England and Spain go head-to-head in both semi-finals.

On Tuesday, Manchester City host Real Madrid. Then, the following night, Liverpool welcome Villarreal to Anfield.

Here is a quick look at this week’s best captaincy and differential options for UCL Fantasy.

MAKE CHANGES TO YOUR UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY TEAM HERE

Tuesday Captains

Real Madrid vs Chelsea highlight: Benzema header put Real Madrid ahead 5-4  on aggregate afta Werner, Rudiger and Mason Mount bin give Chelsea hope -  BBC News Pidgin

Top Pick: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid)

On 39 club goals this season, Karim Benzema is putting himself as a contender for this year’s Ballon d’Or crown. Hat-tricks have helped eliminate both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages and he comes up against a strong Man City defence that is picking up injuries at the wrong time.

Late decisions will be made over Kyle Walker (ankle) and John Stones (muscle), whilst key man Joao Cancelo is suspended for the first leg.

Despite missing two penalties against Osasuna last week, Benzema has proved he’s a player for the big occasion and will relish the opportunity to do so again.

Differential Pick: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Owned by 12% of managers, Kevin De Bruyne has scored only once in this season’s competition but has four goals and four assists from his last six Premier League outings.

Expected to play as a false nine in this match, he’s another ‘big game’ player.

Wednesday Captains

Mohamed Salah silences doubters as new Liverpool talisman emerges -  Liverpool Echo

Top Pick: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)

Similar to his domestic season, Mohamed Salah had – by his standards – been slightly out of form in recent European matches. However, a 19-point Fantasy Premier League (FPL) haul against Manchester United silenced any doubters and he’s backed to score against Villarreal.

Eight goals arrived in his first seven UCL outings but none in the three since. For Liverpool to reach their third final in five years, Salah needs to regain continental form.

Differential Pick: Andrew Robertson (Liverpool)

Although neither pick is from Villarreal, Jurgen Klopp’s side won’t be taking the Europa League holders lightly, having recently knocked out both Juventus and Bayern Munich.

Andrew Robertson is having an incredible season. He has only blanked twice during the last 18 league games. This includes 13 clean sheets, 12 goal involvements and six double-digit hauls. With 8% ownership in UCL Fantasy, he can repeat the goal and clean sheet from Sunday’s Merseyside derby.

Spot the Differential

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 10? 5

A selection of players with small ownership that can give your team a boost up the rankings.

  • Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool, 3%): With Joel Matip seemingly the domestic centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk, in Europe it’s been Ibrahima Konate. He brought in 18 Fantasy points from the quarter-finals against Benfica, having scored in both matches.
  • Arnaut Danjuma (Villarreal, 9%): The former Bournemouth man has already scored six times in this Champions League campaign and has the third-most points of all remaining players.
  • Phil Foden (Man City, 8%): An unused substitute against Watford on Saturday, Foden is therefore likely to start Tuesday’s match.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

126 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    There's no way out of here

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Wernhole?

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        K-hole

        1. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Haha

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      That’s not what the joker said to the thief

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Ain't but one way out baby, Lord I just can't go out the door

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihh_H5wHK-Q

  2. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Rudiger and James back in full training

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Can't wait for a James 1 pointer from the bench on Thursday

  3. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    ❗ These are personal notes, please do not answer ❗

    For GW36 only:

    A. Son + Pukki / Dennis
    B. Kane + Dewsbury-Hall
    C. Vardy + Raphinha / Kulu / Sarr
    D. Richarlison + Maddison / Coutinho / Raphinha / Kulu / Sarr

    If City double:

    E. KDB + Sargent
    F. Sterling + Dennis / Pukki
    G. Mahr / Fode / Bern / Gun + Richarlison
    H. Jesus + Maddison / Coutinho / Raphinha / Kulu / Sarr

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Holy moly. I spent way too long trying to post this. Turns out the autofilter doesn't like either:

      Mahr without the r
      or Fode without the e

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Mah

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Yeah, it's F.O.D., which apparently means foreign object debris

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Are you OK buddy?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Strugglin

  4. gart888
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Schmeichel
    Trent Cancelo Laporte Matip Alonso
    Salah Havertz Mount Martinelli
    Ronaldo

    Foster Pukki Dennis Gordon

    A) Ronaldo to Kane
    B) Roll transfer (and then do a double next week before the BB)
    C) Other?

    1. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Ronnie has Brentford at home. Not the hardest of matches. Granted Leicester should be decent match up for spurs too but not sure whether swap is worth it. Maybe bring in Son for spurs cover?

      1. gart888
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Problem is that I don't have the funds to do Son in without getting rid of Salah.

        I might sit on my hands for this week and if city DGW36 and/or Martinelli is benched again in 35 do something like Ronaldo+Martinelli for KDB+Nketiah

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          I think having 2FT for 36 helps you better account for any injuries.

          1. gart888
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 12 months ago

            Yeah, I'm inclined to agree with that. I guess I should also wait and see what happens tomorrow in the United Chelsea game. Ronaldo might score a brace and seem like a must hold, or he might get hurt and be a must sell.

  5. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Jesus and Modric or Vini and Foden?

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      V & F

  6. Openboxman
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Here's my Wildcard.
    WC 35 to attack the doubles in 36 and a FH in 37.

    Ramsdale
    Trent - robbo - cancelo - laporte
    Mount - son - salah - saka
    Werner - pukki

    Fodder bench with Davies and Gordon.

    1.2m itb

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I would either go for 3 or 0 City, depending on whether they double in GW36. If we don't know, maybe push your luck, and go 0. Another Chelsea player would be good, maybe an Arsenal defender player (Tomi/Gabriel/Nketiah/ESR/Odegaard), or consider a punt on Vardy, Richarlison, or anyone else who's doubling for sure? Arsenal, Spurs, Leicester and Chelsea all have decent GW38s as well, to varying extents.

      1. Openboxman
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I like it, yeah like that I will remove some city if they don't double in 36. If they do I have another draft with no robbo but with KDB

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Looks good tbh

  7. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Need to upgrade Gelhart probably to Dennis (to line up with Pukki and Kane) for a 36BB. Which of these looks better?

    A. James -> Cash/Matip
    B. Saka -> Gordon/Ramsey
    C. Barnes -> Gordon/Ramsey

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      B
      Saka dropping tonight

      1. Biggsy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Annoying, but will probably still hold until next week. Only A might be tight funds-wise so wouldn't do it on the basis of £

    2. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      James to Cash would be my move.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I like gelhardt

      1. A-L
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I beg your pardon!

    4. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      A

  8. Axel5000
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Do we know when citys finals fixture is getting added to the ticker/what would affect it?

    1. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Don't know. I don't think there is any dependence from a schedule perspective. But there is some talk that City doubling in 36 may be perceived as unfair (https://mobile.twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1518380036344188928) and hence 37 could be back on cards.

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Seems like a very thin theory, although I hope for DGW 37, FH

        1. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Yes, this is more a guy on Twitter waffling trying to stay relevant than anything of any weight. All we (and he) can do is wait for the announcement.

          1. NorCal Villan
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 12 months ago

            Not much sadder than someone hustlin’ for Twitter relevance

            1. AC/DC AFC
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              1 year, 12 months ago

              Thought you were talking about Elon Musk there.

            2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
              • 10 Years
              1 year, 12 months ago

              Imagine paying $43 billion for Twitter relevance

              1. NorCal Villan
                • 2 Years
                1 year, 12 months ago

                I prefer imagining I have $43 billion

    2. gart888
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      The longer we wait, the more I think it will be 37.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Citeh and Pool Premiership up for grabs in the same week? Irresistible for TV IMO

  9. The Mentaculus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Quick 1st draft of FH36 team. Anyone seem too much of a rest risk here (except for Saka/Rudi)?

    Mendy
    Robertson Rudiger Gabriel [Lei def]
    Salah Mané Maddison Mount Saka
    Kane

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Mount? Maddison?

      1. Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        What's the deal with Mount? Did I miss something?

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Will he play both. With FA cup around

      2. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Trying to pick the Chelsea assets least likely to be rested on the Tuesday. Maddi maybe wait & see yeah

  10. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    All good?

    Alisson
    TAA Robertson Laporte
    Salah Mane Mahrez Foden
    Diaz Benzema Vini

    Ulreich Coquelin Cancelo James

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Nah, missing Klinsmann and Maldini.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Hahaha!

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      All good. I'm on:

      Ederson
      Trent Robbo Laporte
      Salah Mané KDB Mahrez
      Benzema Vini Diaz
      (Estupinan, Danjuma, fodder)

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        That KDB pick is so smart. I wanted him. Could not afford.

  11. Bikerz
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Is it just me or does anyone else think Kulusevski's grip on the starting spot is loosening following some less than ideal performances especially with capable alternatives; Moura and Bergwin waiting in the wings?

  12. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    CITY: Ederson, Stones, Dias, Laporte, Zinchenko, Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Mahrez, Jesus, Foden

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      About as expected, Stones being back is certainly timely

    2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Cancelo?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Suspended

      2. DGW blindness is for Kinnea…
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Suspended

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Ah!

      3. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Rested?

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Had forgotten about Stones since he got me 21 pts in a game last season.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Haha, me too! I had him that week as well. Think it was first game of a DGW and didn't play or got 1 point in the next game 😀

      2. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Everybody must get Stones

    4. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Stones Dias double last year made my season just about. He was awesome.

  13. boc610
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    LoL Jesus starts , new owners already bricking it

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I'd rather him playing for my team than Sterling or Grealish.

    2. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      As Percy Plant said…

      Oh my Jesus, oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus
      Oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus
      Oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus
      Oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus, oh, my Jesus
      Oh, my Je... ah-oh, ah, my Je...
      Hey, yeah, that's got to be my Jesus
      Whoa-whoa!

  14. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    UCL team locked in.

    Ederson, Lunin
    Alaba, Cancelo, Robertson, TAA, Laporte
    KDB(c1), Salah (c2), Mahrez, Danjuma, Capoue
    Vini Jnr, Jesus, Diaz

    Should be fun!

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I have 6 Liverpool players + 6 City players + Benzema + 2 who the f cares players

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I decided to swerve Benzema when I saw Jesus starting.

        Have had Vini for a while. Most people are going to be pretty similar so hoping for some slight differentials where I can.

    2. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Cancelo suspended bro

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Oh yeah but I ain’t transferring him out. Trust City win through so will hold for the one game he misses.

        Had a full 5 eliminated to use the transfers for.

  15. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Sterling not starting tonight = worth another week’s punt?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      100% it’ll be awesome or terrible. No I’m between.

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Haha yes this is the dilemma

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Never again

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Haha you shipped him out or never got him in due to previous trauma?

        1. Scots Gooner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          I had bad experiences with him last season and vowed to never use him again

          BUT…

          I broke my own rule to put him in my GW17 FH. He played zero minutes.

          Put him in my GW 34 FH. He blanks.

          He’s my ultimate troll, but I never learn.

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Non owner and would say 100% hold

      1. BECKS TO THE FUTURE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Ta!

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          It's the sort of fixture you'd fancy him to do well in...

          1. Not again Shirley
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 12 months ago

            Bit like the Watford game then!

    4. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I took a 1 week punt on Sterling (on WC) in GW23 for a 1 pt-er. The subsequent 2 weeks he scored 9 & 18

  16. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Thoughts on rodrigo instead of vini upfront?

  17. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Sterling(C) this week?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Away to Leeds? Does sound appealing, yeah.

    2. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Think I will have to. If he blanks again, I will bench him every week the rest of the season to teach him a lesson.

    3. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Nah. Leeds a bit tighter at the back now with Phillips back plus they are not on the beach.

  18. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    What would happen if FPL decided to swap the defender and forward pricing next season?

    TAA at 11m, cheapest defender is a fodder for 4.5m. Starting defenders for relegated teams at 5m. Attacking fullbacks are 8-9m.
    Conversely, forwards... Kane is 8.5m, 4.0 fodders and Mitrovic at 5.5m.

    Wonder how that might change the game. Would be very cool!

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      How or why would he be 11 million? He'll be 8, or 8.5 at the very, very most.

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        If you think about it, Kane is 12.5m. Budget forwards are 6m. 6.5m difference.

        Budget defenders are 4.5m. TAA really should be closer to 10m and even at 10m he's probably still good value. If you were to put money on TAA or Kane scoring more next season it probably would be about split.

        And yet Kane is nearly 4m more expensive.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Formation change 1-4-5

    3. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      They'd have to hike the price of budget defenders too though, which would then make the idea look rather silly.

      1. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Yep - there wouldn't be an easy enough way to get to Trent, so for that reason alone it'd be a non-runner, IMO.

    4. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      What would happen? Hundreds of thousands of people would say "what is this shite?" probably.

    5. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      An alternative pricing model would be a fun experiment. A season or two ago I suggested a pricing model where players get cheaper the better they perform. A kind of catch-up logic, a way of managers who start poorly being punished twice (lack of points and priced out of moves).

      To protect against exploitation, handing the advantage back to the early adopters (selling for the high price and buying back cheaper) you could prevent buy-backs, impose time limits, or make all buy-back purchases happen at the selling price.

  19. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    What to do if I'm gonna BB 36 and FH 37?

    Foster ¦ Raya
    Alonso Cash White Taylor
    Salah Son Sancho Zaha
    Kane Pukki
    ¦ Broja Gordon Amartey

    2.1 ITB, 2 FT's

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Sancho surely needs to be shown the exit door?

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        Not sure on Mount or Maddison or Jota minutes for the doubles.

        Who would you suggest?

        1. Big_Andy_GAWA
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          I still think better options than Sancho, tbf. And it would free up even more cash for you. Saka looking like dropping in price in another few hrs. You could do worse than get him in, too...

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      I am keeping the useless Sancho for one more week against Brentford and then losing so can bring in Robbo the following week.

  20. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Is Zinchenko a possibility?

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      How long is Walker out for?

      1. BobbyDoesNotLook
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        This is the main question.

        1. St Pauli Walnuts
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 12 months ago

          Well he wasn't ruled out of Real game until late so can't be too far off.

  21. fantasyfog
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Quick question, is Man city Vs Real Madrid on now TV?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Yes. On BT. But free on Livescore and elsewhere.

  22. balint84
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Robbo or Taa

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Preferably both but Robbo gets more points and is cheaper

  23. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 12 months ago

    Last second change to Jesus(c).
    Let’s go my savior!

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 12 months ago

      Moved off KDB doh. At least I have him and Mahrez both.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 12 months ago

        I considered Jesus but somehow I have Foden, Mahrez and De Bruyne with Cancelo for next week. Benzema(c), Diaz, Jota up front.