Champions League

Champions League Picks – Last 16, First Leg

Our coverage of the official UEFA Fantasy Champions League game returns this afternoon as the deadline for the knockout stages edges ever closer. With the eight matches spread out over tonight, tomorrow and next midweek, the Matchday is a little elongated – rather than opt for the obvious and recommend Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic, we pick a differential from each of the 16 sides facing action:

Tuesday 18

Lucas Moura – yes, he’s a punt but keep an eye on the team sheets for the Brazilian’s inclusion in PSG’s line-up tonight. Rested at the weekend, Lucas had played three of the previous four on the right of the front three and, classified as a midfield in the UCL game, comes in at just 6.0, with an ownership under 5%. Lucas pays visit to a Leverkusen side in free-fall – after a superb first few months of the season, the German outfit have now lost five of their last seven in all competitions and their porous backline looks there for the taking.

Sidney Sam – if you fancy the Bundesliga side to score this evening, Sam could be worth a punt. Priced at just 5.0, he’s owned by 1% of Fantasy managers and has already racked up seven goals and seven assists in the league this term as part of Leverkusen’s front three.

Yaya Toure – with sidekick Fernandinho fit and available, the Ivorian’s forward forays from the centre of the park will be fundamental to City’s prospects against Barcelona this evening. Owned by under 3% of managers in the UCL game, Toure’s spot-kick and set-piece duties have helped him serve up 12 goals in the Premier League to date.

Alexis Sanchez – the 9.5-priced forward is Barcelona’s top scorer in La Liga this term, with 15 goals in 18 starts. The spotlight may be on another South American for the visitors but Sanchez (1% ownership) may prove just as vital to his side’s chances and looks a strong double-up option.

Wednesday 19

Mario Balotelli – a home game against Atletico Madrid looks a tough task for struggling Milan tomorrow night. The Serie A side have scored more than once in just one of their last six matches but if anyone can rise to the occasion, “Super Mario” looks the likeliest – with 10 league goals to his name and spot-kick duties to fall back upon, the 10.0-priced Balotelli (5% owned) will be hoping to give the San Siro crowd something to smile about.

Raul Garcia – with David Villa only just returned from injury, the 7.0-priced midfielder is slight favourite to start alongside the prolific Diego Costa up top for the Spanish league leaders’ trip to Milan. Garcia racked up three goals and a pair of assists in the final four group games and, with an 8% ownership, remains under the radar.

Santi Cazorla – the Spaniard has arguably been Arsenal’s form player in recent weeks, producing three goals and an assist in the last five league games. Owned by less than 1% of Fantasy managers – compared to Mesut Ozil’s 23% – Cazorla, at 8.5, looks essential to the Gunners chances of causing an upset and getting the better of holders Bayern.

Mario Mandzukic -the Croatian heads to the Emirates in fine fettle. Mandzukic has produced five goals and a pair of assists in his last three starts for Pep Guardiola’s side and, having been rested at the weekend, is expected to lead the line against the Gunners. At 11.5 he’s hardly budget-friendly but with an ownership under 2%, his differential appeal is obvious.

Tuesday 25

Hulk – Zenit’s home clash with Dortmund affords their star striker the chance to continue the form which produced a couple of goals and assist over the group stages. Priced at 9.0, with a 3% ownership, Hulk’s contribution will be key if his side are to overcome the odds and get the better of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – the Dortmund forward arrives in Zenit in fine form, having bagged a brace in a weekend rout of Eintracht Frankfurt. Priced at just 8.5, he’s stolen under the radar with a mere 2% ownership and looks a viable alternative to Robert Lewandowski.

Javier Saviola – with top scorer Kostas Mitroglou snapped up by Fulham, the Argentine looks all the more vital as Olympiacos host United. Sitting in just 1% of Fantasy teams, Saviola comes in at just 6.5 for those who reckon the Greek side can breach David Moyes’ backline.

Robin Van Persie – as domestic Fantasy managers know, it’s something of a rarity for the Dutchman to be deemed a differential. With an ownership of less than 4%, the 12.5-priced Van Persie has been overlooked by the vast majority as Moyes’ side head to Greece next week.

Wednesday 26

Wesley Sneijder – whilst the headlines centre around Didier Drogba’s showdown with former club Chelsea, the Dutchman will be just as pivotal for Galatasaray’s chances of picking up a home win. Priced at 8.5 and owned by 1% of Fantasy managers, Sneijder notched in two of the last three group games for Roberto Mancini’s side.

John Terry – the Chelsea skipper is expected to return for this weekend’s home game with Everton and cement his comeback from injury ahead of the following Wednesday’s trip to Turkey. If Jose Mourinho’s side are to stave off their opponents’ threat, Terry’s presence in both boxes may just make the difference – he sets you back 6.0 and is owned by just 3% of Fantasy managers, compared to Branislav Ivanovic’s 23%.

Gareth Bale – for those Cristiano Ronaldo owners looking to double up on Real Madrid for the trip to Schalke, the Welshman offers an appealing option. Priced at 12.0 and owned by only 5%, Bale’s role on the right of the front three could be crucial as the Spanish side look to break down a backline that has conceded just twice in their last six matches.

Max Meyer – fielded in the role in “the hole”, the teenager has turned in a series of impressive displays for Schalke this term. Meyer notched in his previous home game for the in-form German side, who have won each of their last four, and, priced at 5.5 with an ownership less than 1%, offers a budget-friendly option for our midfields.

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523 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    @Give the Todd some love could you possibly give some advice on my team? Or anyone else that does MLS fantasy feel free to lend a helping hand

    Kronberg-Castano
    Loyd-Sarkodie-Remick-Parke-Jewsbury-Griffiths-
    Cahill-Fagundez-Trapp-Nagbe-King-Morales
    Manneh-Fondy-Magee-Bruin

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    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Oh god an MLS question gets top of the page, i'm sorry guys, i really am

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      1. A.T
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I'm turning a blind eye this time but if it happens again it's an instant ban!

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    2. Give The Todd Some Love
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Like it. Only thing is that Cahill isn't worth the money imo, try Silva (DC United playmaker who have signed some great forwards). Wish I could fit Morales into my lineup

      Also, Collin is really expensive, but he's a must I think. His price will rocket if you don't get him from the beginning, and then you won't be able to afford him

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      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks for the Silva tip I'll take a look at that one, Cahill at the end of last season was the most efficient fantasy player including all positions and I think he will be able to carry that over to this season. An added bonus will be that not only might he be playing up front alongside Henry but since Henry wont play games on turf but he will he could even see games up front as early as GW1. The problem with Collin is just that he is so very expensive and I have my doubts over whether he will be the super human fantasy star he was last season I have no doubt however he will be the top scoring defender but think it will be closer than last year and there are better value picks for your money

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    3. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      In DZ you will find more who play this game.... Seems a good team, but i still didn't look to all news about who will play or not... as Give The Todd Some Love said, silva worth a look

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  2. Mak_Gold
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Messi or Ibra captain tonight?

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      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Messi
        think that match has more goals init

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        1. Mak_Gold
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Cheers.

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      2. New Post
      3. Heydudes13
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Fill in the blanks

        Courtois Kaminski
        Evra Ivanovic Alaba Maxwell Marcano
        Mkhitaryan Hazard Raul Garcia ....... Meyer
        Ronaldo Sanchez .......

        £17m left

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        1. Nice to Finally Michu
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Ibra and Fuster or Messi and Perez

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          1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Peres of Oly or Ndinga of Oly whos more likely to play??

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            1. Nice to Finally Michu
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 1 month ago

              I think perez

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              1. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
                • 10 Years
                10 years, 1 month ago

                any starting 3.5 gk? or need to go 4.5

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      4. 13allack
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I understand all the love for Raul Garcia and according to AS he will start alongside Costa ahead of Villa.
        Just keep in mind that he has 2 yellows so a booking at San Siro will keep him out of the 2nd leg. plus he'll probably drop to the bench for the Calderon game because Villa has more CL experience.

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      5. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Juan Fran or Rafinna?

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      6. sinik
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        a lot of people just flat out ignoring Bayern attack?

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      7. Polaris - The Mortal Coil
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        My 'assistant manager' just advised me to pick Nani. Just saying...

        I'm sacking him by email.

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      8. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Any chance Kehl playing?

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      9. Del Monte
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Treble on Barca, PSG, Watford

        Good bet?

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      10. A.
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Sanchez or Pedro?

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

          Sanchez, but wait for line-ups

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      11. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Campbel or Adriano for 4.0m defender? Cambpel plays on the last day so I don't like that

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

          neither

          Adriano won't play now Alba is back

          Campbell, not sure on.

          Toprak at 4.0

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      12. JJO
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Best mid for 6mil?
        CL

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

          Sam and bank the 1.0

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      13. Total Foot 5 - romario 11
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        DLOPES 3.5 any chance he starts or Iker starts?

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      14. proczell
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Can't really make my mind up. Help is appreciated. My team right now:
        DDG (Starke)
        Miranda-Kolarov-Van der Wiel (Toprak-Papadoupolous)
        Willian-Robben-Lucas-Koke (Ndiga)
        Ronaldo-Ibra-Messi (c)

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      15. Tozier
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        How's this looking? Before anyone says - I'm aware it doesn't have Messi or Ronaldo.

        Courtois (De Gea)

        Piszczek, Van Der Wiel, Alaba (Smalling, Azpi)

        Lucas, Sam, Fabregas, Januzaj (Hazard)

        Muller, Ibra (c), Balotelli

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      16. Galatasaray
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        YAYA GETS 3 BPS DESPITE THE LOSS FOR BEING AN EX BARCA PLAYER 🙂

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