Champions League

Champions League Picks – Matchday 5

We’ve a few hours left until Matchday 5 of this term’s Champions League matches gets underway. For those playing the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League, we bring you a total of 10 players worth considering over Tuesday and Wednesday, with five potential picks for each of the two evening’s fixtures. Please also be aware that the deadline for Tuesday and Wednesday is 16.45 GMT, due to the early kick-off between Zenit and Atletico today and CSKA against Bayern tomorrow:

The big news is that most of us will be looking for heavy-hitting strikers this week. Lionel Messi is injured and Cristiano Ronaldo has been ruled out of a prime home tie with Galatasaray due to a thigh problem. Both Diego Costa and David Villa have been left behind in Spain ahead of Atletico’s trip to Zenit, whilst Bayen are bereft of Mario Mandzukic for tomorrow’s visit to Moscow. Furthermore, City have already qualified and are expected to field a somewhat weakened side, with question marks raised over Sergio Aguero’s starting role for a home game against Viktoria Plzen.

With this in mind, my tips this week are forward-heavy, though it’s also worth noting that in midfield, some popular absentees include Bayern’s Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Leverkusen’s Sidney Sam, Napoli’s Marek Hamsik, Barcelona’s Adriano and Atletico’s Arda Turan.

Tuesday

José Manuel Pinto – with first-choice stopper Victor Valdes ruled out of the remaining two group games though injury, Pinto, at just 3.5, offers a budget route into the Barcelona defence for a trip to Ajax and home clash with Glasgow Celtic.

Oliver Giroud – a win at home to Marseille will place Arsenal in pole position to qualify from Group F. The visitors have been lacking defensive resolve in recent matches and, having notched twice this weekend, Giroud, at 9.0, allows you to replace Messi or Ronaldo and have spare change for an upgrade elsewhere.

Jackson Martinez – the Porto frontman entertains Austria Vienna this evening and will be looking to extend the form that has produced nine goals already this season. Priced at just 8.0, Martinez will fancy his chances against a backline that has conceded seven times in the last two group games.

Max Meyer – with Marco Hoger sidelined for Schalke, the highly-rated youngster looks set to continue in “the hole” in a 4-2-3-1. Meyer has netted four times and picked up a pair of assists in all competitions this term and priced at just 5.5, has a trip to Steaua Bucharest followed by a home clash against Basel.

Josue – Once again we go for the bargain basement Porto player. He’s on set pieces and penalties and has 1 goal and 5 assists to his name this season.

Wednesday

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Messi and Ronaldo owners will likely be jumping over to the big Swede en masse for PSG’s home game against Olympiacos. Second only to the latter in the forward standings, the 12.5 priced Ibrahimovic has notched seven times in the last three group games and looks a real captaincy contender for tomorrow’s round of matches.

Edin Dzeko – with his side already qualified, the big Bosnian is expected to be handed a start at home to Viktoria Plzen. Bearing in mind City’s Etihad form, Dzeko, at 9.5, looks a tempting acquisition against a backline that has conceded eight in two road trips.

Paul Pogba – the former United man has been one of Juventus’ stand out players this season, firing four goals and three assists in Serie A so far. The Italian side are on a rich run of form ahead of a home clash with Copenhagen tomorrow evening – having struggled to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture back in Gameweek 1, the “Old Lady” will be looking to Pogba (5.5) to help fire them to victory.

Stefan Kiessling – a home clash with United will hold no fear for Leverkusen, who have dropped just two points in front of their own fans in the Bundesliga this term. With David Moyes’ men struggling for defensive solidity, the 9.0 priced Kiessling will be looking to replicate the form which has harvested 12 goals and six assists in 19 appearances thus far.

Simon Rolfes – another Leverkusen option, Rolfes comes in at just 5.5 and has served up some impressive midfield performances over 2013/14. Having found the net in three of the first four Matchdays, his consistency has been key to the German outfit’s fortunes in this season’s campaign.

Granville I\'ve got the blood of poets and lovers in my veins. Follow them on Twitter

1,143 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Granville
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Spent 10 points

    Messi, Ronaldo, Costa, Eboue, Hamsik, Adriano

    ->

    Dzeko, Ibrahimovic, Giroud(c), Vidal, Bartra, Carvajal

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    1. LOCO ABREU
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      you went with carvajal?you think he will play?marcelo is back, changed carvajal>mangala in the end

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah well, I wasn't 100% sure but seemed worth the risk.

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

      Went with Kun - out early on the weekend - hope Pele wants to put on a show for the fans

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    3. Cowboy John
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Wow. You really were decimated with injuries!

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      1. Granville
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        yeah I can only laugh. Add Baines to that list.

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    4. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      I spent 8

      got in Pique, Meyer, Pogba, Lewa (c) and Martinez

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    5. Damo.
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Ronaldo Sam Adriano & Ansaldi

      ->

      Dzeko Rolfes Bonucci & Marcelo

      Lucho (c) tonight
      Di Maria (c) tomorrow

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  2. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    What's happening with Baines? Looked like he's be dropping in price earlier, now it doesn't? Anyone know what will happen?

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    1. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Flag changed from yellow to red, I would expect him to drop in price Thursday 3:00 AM.

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      1. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        More like 1.40a.m. actually. We're no longer on British Summer Time since the clocks went back.

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  3. thetinkerman
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Is Rolfes related to Lolarov?

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      You know posts like that are wasted around here. 🙂

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    2. King Nil Miss ✩
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Rofl

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      1. @FPLMason
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        rolf* 😉

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    3. @FPLMason
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Hulk
      This
      Upp

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  4. The Machine
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    TM 🙄

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    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Stickied in 2 places. Glad to help. 🙂

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      1. The Machine
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Ah cheers. Whats your rank now?

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        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          🙄

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          1. The Machine
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 4 months ago

            ?

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  5. Hi I'm Jose
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Feck I just missed the deadline!!

    Porto, Juve, City 🙁

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    1. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Bloody annoying isn't it. I wish they'd ignore these early kick offs.

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      1. Hi I'm Jose
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I tried to do it as Jackson, Bale and Negredo in but now all alone with Cristiano (C) who will not play

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        1. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          See if you can beat my 31 points on the bench through missing the Wednesday deadline a few gameweeks back. Couldn't have hurt me much more.

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          1. Hi I'm Jose
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 4 months ago

            Then I really feel devastated. I'll lose 800th place anyway through the down deep. Already annoys me.

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      2. King Nil Miss ✩
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        We´re lucky there isn´t one next matchday, lots of surprises should kick in some formations.

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      3. JK - Cønt ⭐
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        I hate them, it's one of the reasons I gave up on Europa fantasy

        Most annoying thing is that we lose the bonus of knowing line-ups before deadline

        Can you imagine the chaos if FPL deadline was 2:30.

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        1. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          They wont do it because of the numbers. More than 3m now playing FPL.

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          1. JK - Cønt ⭐
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 4 months ago

            I know, nor should they

            It'd be utter chaos

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            1. Granville
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 4 months ago

              My wife would kill me. I'd never be able to leave the house until the team sheets were out.

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

        Eliminate the Russian Leagues and give and give 2 auto bids to Scotts and Irish

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        1. Granville
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          10 years, 4 months ago

          🙂

          They could easily say those games don't count. It would add an interesting dynamic to the game.

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  6. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Saved it finally. Went without Lewa and Bale for a more balanced side. 😯 But all my mids are playing the #10 role. 😎

    Courtois,Kaminski
    Alaba,Rafinha,Marquinhos,Caceres,Ambrose
    Oscar,Isco,Mkhitaryan,Raul Garcia,Teixeira
    Ibra,Dzeko,Martinez(c)

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    1. Sean.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      nice team that, should do well

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      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks.

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  7. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Lol at me. I took 8 pt hit lunchtime to sort my ucl team out yet I still kept Lopez and Ronaldo.

    Should've read the scout article first really as I would've only transferred in players I really needed.

    Oh well, ho hum. At least I know I can make changes on my phone at work in my lunch break now though.

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  8. Parm
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Have I missed the deadline again?

    Grrr, pesky Russians.

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    1. The Machine
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Lool sounds like you're just as bad in the other game

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    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      Be careful Parm

      early deadline tomorrow as well

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  9. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Who watched Everton-Liverpool match?
    I have 2 question.

    1 - Any chance Toure will be back at back four after 3 goals conceded

    2 - Barkley, was he good? Chances to start again, against Stoke for weekend?

    Thanks

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    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 4 months ago

      2) very good, 100% IMO

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      1. Shane Ferguson 4.0
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 4 months ago

        Would you play him or Ravel?

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  10. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Hi All,

    How does this look for a -8?

    A shift from this:

    mignolet, lewis
    BAINES, CHESTER, fonte, williams, yanga-mbiwa
    hazard, JEDINAK, lallana, sessegnon, morrison
    suarez, rooney, lukaku

    To this:

    mignolet, lewis
    MERTESACKER, TERRY, fonte, williams, yanga-mbiwa
    hazard, COUTINHOlallana, sessegnon, morrison
    suarez, rooney, lukaku

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  11. t4thomas
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    oops, typo:

    Hi All,

    How does this look for a -8?

    A shift from this:

    mignolet, lewis
    BAINES, CHESTER, fonte, williams, yanga-mbiwa
    hazard, JEDINAK, lallana, sessegnon, morrison
    suarez, rooney, lukaku

    6.7M, 1FT

    To this:

    mignolet, lewis
    MERTESACKER, TERRY, fonte, williams, yanga-mbiwa
    hazard, COUTINHO, lallana, sessegnon, morrison
    suarez, rooney, lukaku

    0M, 0FT, -8

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  12. New post
  13. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    UCL --champiomns anyone went for nasri? given un certainty w/ kun & dezko, duo of Negredo & nasri.

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  14. Sean.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    In a mad panic went
    Pinto Hart
    Uchida Van der Wiel Danilo Bonucci Carvajel
    Ramsey Draxler Fabregas Vidal Teixeira
    Giroud Martinez Ibra
    Feel a bit vunerable this week 🙂

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  15. 7shadesofsmoke
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 4 months ago

    Alright chicaritos?

    I normally have a pretty clear mind about where i need to make my transfers but this week I am struggling, so I went to the forum for some advice this am.

    Would anyone else care to critique my squad before i put forward my proposed transfer?

    Boruc (Harper)
    Coleman Vlaar Koscielny (Chester Lovren)
    Bacuna Özil Nasr Lallana (Brady)
    Rooney Suárez Agüero

    Bank: 1.4m

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