We are down to the final 16 teams in this year’s Champions League meaning several adjustments will be required in UCL Fantasy.
An action-packed group stage came to a close in November and we have recapped everything you need to know about the Champions League so far.
Heading into MD7, we now take a look at the best options going forward in the tournament with some players that simply cannot be missed out on.
Erling Haaland
- Price: €11.1m
- Picked By: 56%
- Fixtures: RB Leipzig (a), RB Leipzig (H)
This one is a no-brainer really. The Norwegian forward has scored 31 goals in all competitions for Man CIty this season.
He managed 5 of those goals in the Champions League group stages from only 4 appearances.
Haaland didn’t complete a full 90 minutes in any of his 4 games which emphasises his goal threat.
A tie against RB Leipzig is one of the more favourable draws they could have got.
Although the two sides did meet in the groups of the same competition last season with both winning their home games.
Despite being away from home, Haaland is the most likely goalscorer in Champions League MD7.
The gap between him and whoever is second will only be even greater in MD8.
Kylian Mbappe
- Price: €11.3m
- Picked By: 46%
- Fixtures: Bayern Munich (H), Bayern Munich (a)
Another expensive pick, but an obvious pick also.
It is surprising that only 46% of players have selected Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman is the joint top scorer in the competition this year with 7 goals which is more than 1 goal per game.
His history in the Champions League cannot be questioned either as he has a remarkable 40 goals from 59 appearances in the tournament.
Mbappe is a small risk as it stands due to a minor injury. He has been included in the PSG squad for MD7 though. This may explain his lower than expected pick percentage.
Another stumbling block in his way is Bayern Munich who were the side that beat PSG the last time they made it to the Champions League final.
Of course, Lionel Messi is an incredible alternative. He may be less likely to score but when including assists his expected points is close to Mbappe. Like Mbappe though, Messi is nursing an injury.
This leaves Neymar who is only picked by 12%. If you’re willing to take a risk to gain rank then Neymar may even be the best option of the three.
Victor Osimhen
- Price: €7.9m
- Picked By: 7%
- Fixtures: Frankfurt (a), Frankfurt (H)
Osimhen only netted once during the opening 6 matchdays of the competition which is disappointing.
He only played in 3 of the 6 games due to injury issues and this would explain his poor points total so far in UCL Fantasy.
A lack of goals in Europe has been made up for in Serie A where he has 17 goals.
He has outperformed his xG (11.3) in Serie A by nearly 6 goals and this is why he is a valuable asset.
5 of those 17 goals have come in the previous 4 games and the Nigerian could be hitting top form just in time.
Frankfurt are potentially the best draw Napoli could have asked for and the Serie A league leaders will be heavy favourites for the tie.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Price: €5.9m
- Picked By: 24%
- Fixtures: Frankfurt (a), Frankfurt (H)
Along with his Napoli teammate, Osimhen, the Georgian winger has been in red hot form.
He averages a goal contribution per game in his domestic league with 9 goals and 9 assists in 18 games.
Kvaratskhelia is also up and running in the Champions League as he has managed 2 goals and 3 assists.
These contributions came against 3 historic sides Liverpool, Rangers, and Ajax.
With Napoli absolutely flying in the league, a game against Frankfurt in the round of 16 will not phase them.
While he is listed as a midfielder on UCL Fantasy, Kvaratskhelia is very attacking and always on the front foot.
He tends to have a big hand in the majority of Napoli’s goals and attacking play with 72 shot creating actions over the season.
At €5.9m he becomes a must-have for your Champions League fantasy team.
Alejandro Grimaldo
- Price: €5.3m
- Picked By: 20%
- Fixtures: Club Brugge (a), Club Brugge (H)
Alejandro Grimaldo ended the group stage with the most points of any defender in UCL Fantasy.
Benfica defied all odds as they topped their group ahead of both PSG and Juventus.
They did so by only keeping 1 clean sheet from 6 games.
This makes it even more impressive that Grimaldo secured such a big points haul.
Comparatively, Benfica’s upcoming opponents (Club Brugge) kept 5 clean sheets from 6 fixtures.
Grimaldo accumulated his points largely from attacking contributions.
2 goals and 3 assists in a difficult-looking group would be impressive for any defender in any team.
Club Brugge have impressed so far in the Champions League but on paper they are the weakest side remaining.
This will give Benfica and Grimaldo the belief that they can advance while picking up plenty of points along the way.
Joao Cancelo
- Price: €6.7m
- Picked By: 54%
- Fixtures: PSG (a), PSG (H)
In a twist no one saw coming, Cancelo is lining up for a new team in the next round of the Champions League.
A move from Man City to Bayern Munich could refresh an underperforming player.
He did play well in the group stages with 4 assists from full-back positions.
Had he remained in Manchester for the duration of the season, he would have a higher selection percentage going into MD7.
This is due to the fact Bayern Munich have drawn the hardest opponent possible in the form of PSG.
Cancelo has managed to bag 2 assists from 3 games since joining the German side.
He has played as a wide midfielder in 2 of those games and this can give an idea of future plans.
Bayern Munich are always one of the favourites to win the tournament and it is no different this year.
Advancing past PSG will build confidence and a belief that they can go all the way with Cancelo likely to be a key player.