We’ve a few hours left until Matchday 6 of this term’s Champions League matches gets underway, as the group stages come to a close. For those playing the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game, we once again bring you a total of 10 players worth considering over Tuesday and Wednesday, with five potential picks for each of the two evenings’ fixtures:
Tuesday
Nacho – priced at just 4.0, the Real Madrid youngster replaced Sergio Ramos at the back after the latter was dismissed against Galatasaray in the previous Matchday. Nacho also played at the weekend in the Spanish Cup and is poised for another stint in Carlo Ancelotti’s XI, with Ramos suspended for the trip to FC Copenhagen.
František Rajtoral – the Viktoria Plzen defender looks a key player this evening as his side attempt to leapfrog CSKA Moscow into the Europa League spot in Group D. Coming in at just 4.0, his raids from right-back have already served up five goals and a pair of assists in all competitions this season.
Joel Campbell – with top scorer Kostas Mitroglou out until January due to injury, we turn to the on-loan Arsenal man as Olympiakos prepare for a home game against Group C whipping boys Anderlecht. A win will ensure the hosts pip Benfica to the runners-up spot and clinch a place in the knock-out stages and although there’s a chance Javier Saviola will get the nod, Campbell is expected to lead the line – bizarrely classified as a defender and priced at 4.0, he looks worth a flutter if he’s named on the team sheet before tonight’s deadline.
Didier Drogba– Roberto Mancini’s Galatasaray play host to Juventus knowing only a win will ensure progress to the knockout stages. Roared on by their ferocious home support, the Turkish side will hope Drogba, at 7.5, continues his habit of scoring against the Old Lady as Mancini looks to get one over his compatriots.
Shinji Kagawa – ruled out of the weekend loss against Newcastle, the Japan international is likely to return in time for tonight’s home game against Shakhtar. Priced at 8.0, Kagawa was instrumental in United’s stunning 5-0 in Leverkusen last time around and is expected to be handed the role in “the hole” behind Wayne Rooney if David Moyes courts caution over Robin van Persie’s ongoing groin problem.
Wednesday
Arda Turan – a home game against Porto offers Atletico the chance to finish the group stages in style. Diego Simeone’s side have dropped just two points in the opening five Matchdays and with five goals and six assists in all competition this term , the 7.5-priced Turan looks a real midfield prospect for tomorrow’s matches.
Willian – a home game against Steaua Bucharest gives Chelsea the chance to win Group E at the Bridge tomorrow evening. Jose Mourinho revealed earlier today he’s looking to freshen up his side ahead of the weekend visit of Palace and, whilst Oscar has returned to training, it’s uncertain whether he’ll start against the Romanian side. Willian comes in at 7.5 and has earned an assist in two of his last three Champions League appearances for the Blues.
Marco Reus – rested against Leverkusen at the weekend, the Dortmund midfielder will return for what is a must-win game at home to Marseille. Coming in at 10.5, Reus has already produced 13 goals and 10 assists this season and may well be the key to Jurgen Klopp’s side making the knockouts.
Mario Balotelli – Milan require just a draw against Ajax in the San Siro to progress to the knockouts but, with their defence anything but resilient under Massimo Allegri this term, goals look the likeliest means of qualification. Coming in at 10.0, Balotelli has already racked up 12 goals thus far and looks the man most likely to breach the Dutch side’s backline
Alexi Sanchez – with Lionel Messi still sidelined through injury, we opt for his fellow Barcelona forward as Celtic roll up to the Nou Camp. Sanchez has already notched eight domestic goals this season and will be looking to mirror his recent display against the Hoops keeper Fraser Forster, having put two put the Englishman for Chile at Wembley.
10 years, 10 months agoIs anyone touching United's defense? Fixtures looking good, and evans looks a bargain...but the problem is their defense is doing very poorly.
I seem to remember last year it was around December their defense went from crap to good; will history repeat itself?