Matchday 10 of the UEFA Champions League brings us the decisive second legs of the knockout ties. With first-leg leads to protect and deficits to overturn, teams head into this round knowing there is no margin for error.
For Fantasy managers, this is the stage where clean-sheet potential, rotation risks, and attacking upside must all be weighed carefully.
Below are the standout picks for MD10, set up in a 3-4-3 formation based on form and fixtures.
Goalkeeper
Nick Pope (€5.0m)
Newcastle return home with a commanding 6-1 advantage
over Qarabag FK, and the numbers strongly favor another clean sheet.
The Magpies have shut out their opponents in each of their last three home Champions League wins, while Qarabağ have struggled badly on English soil, scoring just once in five visits and conceding 19.
With form, fixture, and first-leg cushion all in his favor, Pope stands out as the safest goalkeeper option this week.
Defenders
Dan Burn (€5.0m)
Burn continues to deliver steady Fantasy returns, with 51 points this season and 16 coming from his last two outings, including seven in Azerbaijan.
Given Newcastle’s dominant aggregate position and strong home defensive record, he offers both clean-sheet security and bonus-point potential.
Federico Dimarco (€5.5m)
With Inter Milan trailing 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt, expect an aggressive approach at San Siro. Dimarco’s attacking involvement makes him key.
The wing-back has produced 15 assists in 24 Serie A appearances this season and has registered an assist in each of his last five league matches.
If Inter are to mount a comeback, he will almost certainly be central to it.
Alejandro Grimaldo (€6.2m)
Grimaldo remains the highest-scoring defender in the game with 72 Fantasy points.
He has collected 25 points across his last two matches and provided an assist in the first-leg win at Olympiacos F.C.
With form and attacking consistency on his side, he combines clean-sheet potential with genuine offensive upside.
Midfielders
Désiré Doué (€7.9m)
Doué made a huge impact off the bench in the first leg, racking up 19 Fantasy points thanks to two goals and an assist in Paris’ win at AS Monaco FC. With that level of explosiveness, he is difficult to ignore heading into the return fixture.
Vitinha (€7.3m)
Although he managed just one point away at Monaco having missed a penalty, Vitinha’s home form in Europe tells a different story. He has amassed 36 Fantasy points from four home Champions League matches this season.
Back on familiar ground, he offers reliability and strong involvement in possession-heavy performances.
Harvey Barnes (€6.9m)
Despite Anthony Gordon’s massive first-leg haul, Newcastle’s five-goal cushion could invite rotation. Barnes is expected to start and therefore carries greater security of minutes.
In a game where space should open up, his direct running and finishing ability could prove decisive.
Vinícius Júnior (€9.5m)
Real Madrid hold a 1-0 lead over SL Benfica, and Vinícius is once again central to their attacking threat.
He has accumulated 29 Fantasy points across his last three Champions League outings, including the decisive goal in Lisbon. His form and big-game pedigree make him one of the strongest midfield options on the board.
Forwards
Kylian Mbappé (€11.0m)
Mbappé has produced three double-digit Fantasy returns in his last four matches and added five points in the first leg against Benfica.
With Madrid protecting a narrow lead at home, his pace and finishing in transition could once again be pivotal.
Julián Álvarez (€9.1m)
Álvarez delivered seven Fantasy points at Club Brugge KV and has two goals and an assist in his last two starts across all competitions.
His ability to find space in and around the box makes him a strong pick heading into the return fixture.
Patrik Schick (€7.0m)
With injury concerns elsewhere limiting options, Schick earns the final forward spot. His two goals in the first leg secured a 2-0 win at Olympiacos, and he now has four goals in his last five appearances in all competitions.
In strong scoring form and leading the line with confidence, he offers both value and momentum heading into MD10.
