Champions League

UEFA Champions League Fantasy: Tips, chip strategy + captains

The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League (UCL) campaign begins on Tuesday – and so does the competition’s official Fantasy game.

We’ll have plenty of UCL Fantasy coverage in preparation for the big kick-off, plus regular articles throughout the season.

Here, one of our Pro Pundits, FPL Milanista (aka Obay), shares some expert tips on the game. Obay knows what he’s talking about, too, with finishes of 344th, 141st and 31st in the last three seasons.


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The UEFA Champions League is back and it’s time to finalise our 15-man squads for the official UCL Fantasy game. As usual, I’d like my first article of the season to remind managers – including newbies – of the main differences between this game and Fantasy Premier League (FPL), especially in terms of strategy and the importance of fixtures and chips.

This article will not dig into top picks but I will make sure that you get something from me before the first deadline that includes the teams I will be targeting and some juicy differentials.

UCL Fantasy has 13 Matchdays, as opposed to the 38 Gameweeks of FPL, therefore your initial squad must have the potential to go big. You will have to be an aggressive manager who focuses a lot on fixtures and the doubling- or tripling-up of certain teams.

DEFENDERS ARE KEY

One aspect that I would like to cover is the importance of defenders in UCL Fantasy, particularly when we move into the knockout stages where weaker teams have been eliminated and the number of goals drops significantly.

If we look into last season’s top five point scorers across all positions, there are three defenders, including centre-backs Alessandro Bastoni (€5.5m) and Ruben Dias (€5.5m). Ball recovery points play an important role. In fact, 17 of Dias’ 75 points (23%) came from these.

Added to an occasional goal threat, the resilience of elite backlines allows defenders to be the game’s most consistent scorers.

CHIP STRATEGY

 

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The rest of this article below is completely free to read but requires a Fantasy Football Scout user account for access – you can get yours at no cost here

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410 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WVA
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Turner will get less points than Onana

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Obviously, since I have started him.

    2. Old Man
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      *Fewer

  2. lilmessipran
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Need 3 penalty saves from turner to salvage my rank somewhat

    1. KunDogan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yep!

  3. lugs
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    things are looking bleak for Burnley, this is there first away game and they still have no points, 2-0 Forest imo

  4. United10
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    On wildcard which is a better pick
    A) Walker + Saka + Archer
    B) Akanji + Diaby + Alvarez

    1. United10
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Would bench Archer and play Cash in option A

    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nobody is going to pick City defence on WC.

      1. United10
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        My defence would be Walker, Estupinan, Saliba, Cash and Botman. Options to rotate

      2. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        That'd be great

    3. Shark Team
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

  5. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Forest squad getting there?

  6. Shark Team
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Elanga CHO MGW Awoniyi > Mudryk Sterling Enzo Jackson

  7. Shark Team
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Who should be my first transfer out:
    A) Son to Rashford
    B) Jackson to Alvarez
    C) Both for -4
    *I believe Rashford vs Bur away will haul

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Son is still good.
      Jackson is………..

      1. Shark Team
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Richarlison back at CF i suspect...

        1. Swahealy
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          With all his problems I can't see Ange throwing him in to start the North London derby, more just to protect him as it's massive pressure. I'd say impact sub again he could end up like Jota for Liverpool where he's better off the bench for a while

          1. Shark Team
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            If he plays CF vs Ars and Liv he will surely score on the counter

          2. Shark Team
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 1 month ago

            I talk about Son

    2. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B

    3. krawiecus
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Neither

    4. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      B is a must. Take the hit if you want to, knowing the risks.

  8. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    So, got to get rid of Chilwell now, then?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Tough one - can easily see him starting v villa.

      I'll prob get rid for trippier

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Yes

    2. Bubz
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I'm not sure about that, think he starts next game personally

    3. krawiecus
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      No

    4. Pedersen
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Get Chilwell again I would say. That is next on your list

      1. Pedersen
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Oh I misread. Chilwell should stay in teams

    5. Swahealy
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Yeah I would swap Chilwell to Trippier asap

  9. The 12th Man
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on this WC draft please.

    Leno
    Schar,Botman,Estupinian
    Salah,Saka,Maddison,Diaby,Mbeumo
    Haaland,Alvarez

    Areola,Cash,Udogie,Archer

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Nice, you don't fancy JWP?

      1. The 12th Man
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        I do, yes but can’t fit him yet. Would move Mbeumo > JWP later.

    2. Muller Reus Corner
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Looks good

  10. Muller Reus Corner
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Is 8 changes to my team enough to warrant a wildcard?

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      yup

    2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Absolutely

    3. Muller Reus Corner
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Thanks both!

  11. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Seriously?! This is truly something else to behold.

    https://twitter.com/golazoargentino/status/1703577576621461946

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Holy moly!!!! Haha

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        It's the way he flies in that leaves me go smacked.

        Absolutely no intention whatsoever to even slightly play the ball, ever!!

        1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Unreal mate!! Was like Bruce Lee!!!

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      I've seen it a few times, he takes out 2 of them with the one lunge.

  12. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Very torn this week with a lot of options in play. Already locked on triple City so getting to Alvarez not possible without a hit.

    Best move?

    A) Roll FT
    B) Foden/Sterling/Bruno -> Mbeumo
    C) Dias + Jackson -> Botman + Alvarez
    D) Foden + Jackson -> Mbeumo + Alvarez
    E) WC the hell outta that

    Pickford
    Trippier - Dias - Chilwell
    Sterling - Bruno - Rashford - Foden - Saka
    Haaland - Jackson

    Bench: Turner; Kabore, Baldock, Mabuma

  13. Make FPL Casual Again
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    Monday night football!!! Cheering on Turner in goal for NFO, fantastic

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      This is what we are reduced to.

      Truly sad, isn't it!

    2. Make FPL Casual Again
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Can he beat Areolas 4 points on my bench??? Exciting stuff

      1. Kevin and Perry go
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Same, same.

      2. WVA
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        No chance

    3. WVA
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Is it me or is the premiership not what it was?

      1. Make FPL Casual Again
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        Not the same as the '90/'00s....different game, atmosphere, personalities, rivalries etc

        1. Kevin and Perry go
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Do they still do the team line ups over the tannoy before games start just can’t recall it recently.

        2. WVA
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 1 month ago

          Just doesn't seem as fun

      2. Swahealy
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 1 month ago

        The smaller teams just keep getting better, hence u can't predict cleansheets for the big teams like we used to. And when teams like Forest can buy world cup winners from Seville and Brighton can easily sit players on the bench that start for Barcelona it just shows the overall strength of the league

  14. Pedersen
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 1 month ago

    What to do with Henry and Martinelli? Someone jinxed them for me...

    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 1 month ago

      Botman or trip to start and see who you can get.