The UEFA Champions League (UCL) returns on Tuesday with Matchday 12 – and so does the competition’s official Fantasy game.
Here, Ed, our resident European soccer doyen, co-host of the official UCL Fantasy podcast and a high-flyer at 16th in the world, offers us his Matchday 12 preview.
The second legs of the Champions League spherical deliver a really totally different Fantasy panorama. Several ties are already closely formed by the first match, with a number of groups carrying three-goal benefits into the return fixture. That adjustments the tactical image considerably.
Teams chasing the tie must assault. That creates house — and from a Fantasy perspective, it makes counter-attacking gamers from the main sides significantly interesting.
Here are the key issues to maintain in thoughts forward of Matchday 12.
Arsenal belongings look extraordinarily robust
Arsenal’s dwelling leg towards Leverkusen seems to be like one among the most dependable fixtures in the spherical. The expectation is that Arsenal will management the recreation and push for a dominant efficiency at the Emirates.
There can be a significant defensive speaking level. Jurrien Timber picked up an damage, and that instantly pushes Fantasy managers in the direction of the safer Arsenal defensive choices. William Saliba turns into the most simple substitute, whereas Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya stay robust clean-sheet candidates.
Further ahead, Bukayo Saka stands out as one among the finest midfield picks of the week. With Timber probably absent, Saka might even have barely extra attacking freedom down the proper.
If you wish to make investments in a crew prone to progress deep into the competitors, Arsenal belongings are amongst the most secure bets.
PSG attackers may thrive
Chelsea’s present defensive points make their tie with Paris Saint-Germain one among the most interesting Fantasy fixtures.
If Chelsea are compelled to chase the recreation, it ought to create house for PSG’s attackers to use. That places gamers like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola firmly on the radar.
At the again, Achraf Hakimi stays one among the finest attacking defenders in the recreation and provides each clean-sheet potential and attacking upside.
Real Madrid’s counter risk
Manchester City are in a tough place heading into their second leg with Real Madrid, and in the event that they push ahead in search of objectives, it may go well with Madrid completely.
Players like Vinícius Júnior thrive in transition and look well-suited to the anticipated recreation state. With City needing to assault, Madrid’s tempo in huge areas might be decisive — and invaluable in Fantasy.
Barcelona attackers nonetheless dependable
Barcelona’s dwelling leg must also present alternatives for attacking returns.
Raphinha and Lamine Yamal stay robust choices heading into the recreation, significantly with Barcelona anticipated to be extra harmful at dwelling.
For Newcastle gamers, the method is extra cautious. Anthony Gordon stays an inexpensive maintain in case you already personal him, however there may be little incentive to purchase Newcastle belongings this week.
Liverpool midfielders value watching
Liverpool’s tie stays finely balanced, however Dominik Szoboszlai stands out as one among the most fascinating midfield choices.
His superior positioning and taking pictures quantity give him robust upside, whereas Alexis Mac Allister provides a barely extra differential route into the Liverpool midfield.
Key switch priorities
Two squad points are prone to drive transfers this week:
- Michael Olise is suspended
- Jurrien Timber is injured
The most typical options look set to be strikes in the direction of Saka, Saliba, Hakimi or PSG attackers.
Captaincy ideas
Captaincy is unusually open this week.
Rather than counting on premium forwards, penalty-taking midfielders look significantly enticing. Players like Saka and Cole Palmer stand out early in the Matchday, whereas Barcelona attackers provide robust alternate options on the later slate.
However, I’m leaning in the direction of captaining Sporting’s Luis Suarez, who faces a 3-0 rating to beat, shall be at dwelling, and he’s on penalties. Should that fail, I’ll await some crew information from Bayern earlier than choosing Harry Kane – if he’s out, then probably Gordon away to Barcelona… spicy!
With a number of ties nonetheless huge open and others prone to develop into transitional video games, Matchday 12 might be one among the most unpredictable — and entertaining — rounds of the competitors up to now.
Good luck!
