Champions League Fantasy Football: Popular Picks and Potential Differentials

The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals are coming up fast and UEFA.com look over a selection of popular players and lesser-owned assets ahead of the first legs on Matchday 9 of #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.

GOALKEEPERS

Popular Pick

Ederson (€6.0m) vs Real Madrid (A)
Despite managing just one clean sheet in this season's Champions League, plenty of Fantasy bosses have stuck with Ederson, who is the highest-owned goalkeeper going into Matchday 9. However, the 30-year's fitness is a concern, a thigh injury having kept him out since 10 March. Although Ederson is expected to return soon, he must be considered doubtful for of Manchester City's first leg at Real Madrid.
Owned by 24%

Potential Differential

Gregor Kobel (€5.0m) vs Atlético de Madrid (A)
Of all the goalkeepers likely to feature on Matchday 9, Kobel was the only one to keep a clean sheet Matchday 8, making seven saves and earning eight points at home to PSV Eindhoven as Dortmund advanced. With four shut-outs in this season's competition, Kobel is the only goalkeeper still involved to have reached 40 points, but his ownership percentage remains in single figures ahead of the trip to Atlético de Madrid.
Owned by 7%

DEFENDERS

Popular Pick

João Cancelo (€6.1m) vs Paris (A)
Cancelo's clean sheet prospects on Matchday 9 are understandably low as Barcelona face a daunting challenge away to Paris Saint-Germain. However, the full-back's attacking potential offers a more lucrative route towards scoring points and explains his high popularity within the Fantasy community. This was evident on Matchday 8 as Cancelo found the net in a 3-1 victory against Napoli, accruing eight points in the process.
Owned by 44%

Potential Differential

Gabriel Magalhães (€6.0m) vs Bayern (H)
Despite recording 41 points after eight matchdays, the same overall score as centre-back partner William Saliba, Gabriel's ownership is significantly lower, underlining his differential appeal. Arsenal's success this season under Mikel Arteta has been underpinned by a strong defence, who will need to be at their best against Bayern and old nemesis Harry Kane on Matchday 9. After shutting out Porto at home in the round of 16 and more recently Manchester City in the Premier League, Gabriel owners have reason to be confident.
Owned by 8%

MIDFIELDERS

Popular Pick

Rodri (€6.7m) vs Real Madrid (A)
Scorer of Manchester City's winning goal in last season’s Champions League final, Rodri heads into the quarter-finals as the third-highest owned midfielder. His ability to gain points through different avenues such as ball recoveries as well as attacking returns is a key factor in his popularity. Despite not featuring in two group stage fixtures, Rodri has recorded 32 points including a goal, two assists, 23 ball recoveries and a Player of the Match award.
Owned by 26%

Potential Differential

Samuel Lino (€6.4m) vs Dortmund (H)
Should Lino manage to maintain his recent form in the Champions League, the Brazilian could prove to be the biggest Fantasy bargain in the first legs. Lino's freedom to attack down the left has brought him five attacking returns and 34 points from Matchday 4 onwards, including two double-figure scores. Atlético de Madrid will know the importance of capitalising on home advantage against Dortmund on Matchday 9, and this may well work in the favour of Lino and his owners.
Owned by 1%

FORWARDS

Popular Pick

Harry Kane (€10.1m) vs Arsenal (A)
Bayern's trip to north London means Harry Kane once again faces an Arsenal side against whom he scored regularly for Tottenham. The England international provided 14 goals and three assists across 19 appearances in the fixture, five goals coming at the Arsenal Stadium. Kane has 37 goals in 36 games for Bayern this season, and is the joint-top scorer in the 2023/24 Champions League.
Owned by 42%

Potential Differential

Robert Lewandowski (€10.3m) vs Paris (A)
A feast of riches in the forward position can often lead to a top striker emerging as a key differential option, and Lewandowski plays that role on Matchday 9. Despite a quiet group stage by his standards, Lewandowski has hit form at just the right time, scoring in both legs of Barcelona's round of 16 victory against Napoli and picking up 15 Fantasy points across the two fixtures. The Polish international could once again prove key for the Spanish champions in Paris.
Owned by 10%