The UEFA Champions League (UCL) is back, marking Matchday 12 for UCL Fantasy managers with the round of 16 second legs.
A Scout Picks article highlights the best options in each position, focusing on players likely to deliver attacking returns, clean sheets, and additional points.
Goalkeepers to Watch
Bayer Leverkusen had the lowest xG (0.53) of any team on home soil in the first legs. David Raya (€5.5m) is the preferred pick for the first day, given one of the best defences in Europe playing at home.
Juan Musso (€4.5m) should step into the starting XI on Wednesday due to an injury to Jan Oblak. While Atleti failed to keep a clean sheet last time out, they head into the game after keeping a shutout in La Liga. Spurs have been extremely poor as of late, so Musso could be a good alternative if Raya fails to return.
Defensive Trio Considerations
High ownership in the Arsenal defence makes it difficult to gain ground when their defensive assets return. Tripling up at the back could be one way to approach this. Clean sheet potential isn’t the only appeal, though. Pierio Hincapie (€4.9m) bagged a goal and an assist in his previous six Premier League outings, while Gabriel (€5.7m) sits joint-second among defenders for goals scored.
Liverpool’s home clash with Galatasaray could also present a strong opportunity for a clean sheet. The Turkish side failed to score on several occasions during the League Phase. Virgil van Dijk (€6.2m) could benefit from that inconsistency.
Even if Paris Saint-Germain fail to keep a clean sheet, Achraf Hakimi (€5.9m) remains an excellent option. The Moroccan has delivered an attacking return in each of his last three Champions League matches and often becomes even more influential going forward in the latter stages of competitions.
Classified as a defender in the game but playing out of position on the right wing is Geny Catamo (€5.4m). Even if Sporting CP concede, Catamo still carries strong attacking threat and faces a very weak Bodø/Glimt defence at home.
Newcastle Attackers Offer Potential
Newcastle United have impressed at home this season, but they have looked far weaker on the road. The Magpies have also kept just one clean sheet in their last 15 matches, which makes doubling up on the Barcelona attack very appealing. Choosing between Lamine Yamal (€9.9m) and Raphinha (€9.3m) is difficult, which only strengthens the case for owning both.
Barcelona finished the League Phase as the second-highest scorers, but they were also one of the leakiest defences. Newcastle United attackers could still offer potential in this tie. The standout option is penalty taker Anthony Gordon (€7.3m), who has already produced 12 attacking returns in the Champions League this season.
The clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea also looks set to be an intriguing one. Chelsea will have to attack in an attempt to overturn a 5-2