Champions League Fantasy Football: What the numbers say

Predicting which Fantasy players are going to perform on any given matchday is a difficult task. Through crunching the numbers, a projected points total for each player has been calculated based on the player's historical performance in the UEFA Champions League. Goals, assists, clean sheets and the likelihood of playing are the major parameters used in our projections.

The top projected players for each position for Matchday 5 are given below. As ever, check possible line-ups and latest team news before making your final selection.

GOALKEEPERS

With just one goal conceded in this UEFA Champions League campaign – less than any other side – Chelsea's Edouard Mendy is top of the projected goalkeepers list for Matchday 5. Fellow premium asset Manuel Neuer also creeps into the top five having amassed more #UCLfantasy points than any other goalkeeper at this stage.

The algorithm also takes into account the attacking output of each opponent and that is why Samir Handanović and Stanislav Kritsyuk make an appearance. Handanović’s Inter take on a Shakhtar Donetsk side who have scored just once so far, while Malmö – Kritsyuk’s opponents – are yet to find the net at all.

DEFENDERS

The projections once again favour the Chelsea back line as Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rüdiger and César Azpilicueta are all given a strong chance of #UCLfantasy returns against Juventus at Stamford Bridge.

João Cancelo is another player with a difficult fixture on paper but his attacking endeavours are hard to ignore with the roaming Manchester City full-back having logged two goals and three assists in Europe this season. Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold is similarly renowned for his threat in the final third and highlighted his Fantasy appeal with a pair of assists against Atlético on Matchday 4. The Englishman would likely be projected higher if not for the threat of rotation, with Liverpool already guaranteed to finish top of Group B.

Ajax's Daley Blind is still flying somewhat under the radar in terms of ownership despite only Cancelo having accumulated more #UCLfantasy points, while no defender has gained more points over the last two matchdays that Sporting CP's Sebastián Coates, who features in just 1% of teams at present.

MIDFIELDERS

Leroy Sané owners will be keen to see the German feature in Bayern's starting line-up in Tuesday's early kick-off, as he produced a 16-point haul when he faced Dynamo Kyiv in the reverse fixture on Matchday 2. Close behind Sané in the projections is Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku, who sits on five goals in the competition – the joint highest among #UCLfantasy midfielders.

For those looking for assists, Bruno Fernandes could well be the man. The Portuguese international has set up at least one goal in each of Manchester United's four games so far – five assists in total – and could be integral to the Premier League side's prospects against Villarreal on Matchday 5.

Those hunting for cheaper alternatives in midfield may want to consider Inter's Marcelo Brozović, who has bolstered his total with a remarkable three Player of the Match awards so far, or Hans Vanaken, who scored and assisted when Club Brugge won at Leipzig on Matchday 2.

FORWARDS

Goal machine Robert Lewandowski is out on his own at the top but there are a plethora of enticing alternatives should the Polish star be rested against Dynamo Kyiv. Sébastien Haller is just one goal behind in the top scorer charts having found the net in each of Ajax's four Group C matches, while the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo has likewise scored every time he has taken to the pitch in Europe this season.

Those who have been keeping a close eye on form in other competitions will have spotted that Kylian Mbappé struck five times for France on international duty and looks at the top of his game right now. Having registered an attacking return in every UEFA Champions League game this season, the Paris star represents a tempting option.

If Mbappé doesn't appeal, perhaps team-mate Lionel Messi will. The Argentinian missed Matchday 4 through injury but has now recovered and faces a Manchester City side he has scored seven goals against in seven career appearances.