A strong Fantasy squad will usually contain a core of players with a high ownership mixed with a sprinkling of under-the-radar assets capable of propelling you up the rankings. Here we look at two options in each position worthy of consideration for your matchday one squad.
GOALKEEPERS
Popular pick
Ederson (€5.5m) vs Lyon (H)
One in four Fantasy managers have selected the Manchester City stopper, and for good reason; priced at €5.5m, the Brazilian is €0.5m cheaper than other so-called ‘premium’ goalkeepers, which is useful when you’re looking to free up cash to use elsewhere in your squad.
Selected by: 25%
Potential differential
Robin Olsen (€4.0m) vs Real Madrid (A)
We will stop short of recommending that you start Olsen in Roma’s opener against defending champions Real Madrid, but if you’re happy for the Swedish goalkeeper to sit on your bench this week, his value could reveal itself as the group stage progresses. With fixtures against Plzeň and CSKA Moskva offering clean-sheet potential, Olsen is a tempting and budget-friendly option.
Selected by: 8%
DEFENDERS
Popular pick
Marcelo (€6.5m) vs Roma (H)
The Real Madrid left-back’s status as the most highly-owned defender is fully justified by his recent exploits. Relentlessly attacking, Marcelo provided three goals and three assists in addition to two clean sheets in 2017/18.
Selected by: 43%
Potential differential
Felipe (€5.0m) vs Schalke (A)
Porto’s Felipe is certainly a tempting early punt; opponents Schalke have lost all three Bundesliga games this season. Porto, meanwhile, kept clean sheets in two of their four UEFA Champions League away matches last season.
Selected by: 2%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular pick
Coutinho (€8.5m) vs PSV (H)
By far the most popular midfielder at present, Coutinho will line up for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League for the first time this season. Prior to his January move to the Catalan club, the Brazilian midfielder got five goals and two assists in his five group stage appearances for Liverpool.
Selected by: 38%
Potential differential
Raheem Sterling (€9.5m) vs Lyon (H)
The Manchester City winger surprisingly features in just 6% of teams despite a strong start to the campaign. With three goals in four starts in 2018/19, Sterling is a strong differential option in midfield against a Lyon side who have yet to kick into gear this season.
Selected by: 6%
FORWARDS
Popular pick
Lionel Messi (€11.5m) vs PSV (H)
It is almost impossible to ignore the Argentinian’s lure, reflected in his soaring ownership. Messi jointly holds the record for the most goals scored in the UEFA Champions League group stage with 60 (guess who the other player is…) and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him increase that tally against PSV on Tuesday.
Selected by: 44%
Potential differential
Harry Kane (€11.0m) vs Internazionale (A)
It is not often you can call Kane a differential, but his underwhelming start to the season coupled with Tottenham’s tricky looking UEFA Champions League group means the forward is relatively unfavoured. Matchday one takes the Premier League outfit to an Inter side who lie 15th in Serie A, and it is surely only a matter of time before Kane finds his scoring boots.
Selected by: 3%
Fantasy tip: Be on the lookout for team news in the early kick-offs, as you can get hold of the line-ups before the deadline!
Be the first to comment