Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League Fantasy season is here, and with teams now beginning to show their form, it’s time to fine-tune your squad for another crucial round.
From popular assets like David
Raya and Erling Haaland to underrated differentials such as Federico Dimarco and Nick Pope, here are the best picks across every position for your Matchday 3 lineup.
David Raya (€5.5m) vs Atlético de Madrid (H)
Arsenal’s David Raya remains the standout pick between the sticks and is comfortably the most-owned goalkeeper in the game (31%).
The Spaniard has yet to concede in this season’s Champions League, collecting clean sheets against Athletic Club and Olympiacos for a total of 13 Fantasy points.
Facing Atlético at home, Raya will be eyeing a third straight shutout, which would mirror his early-season heroics from last year’s group stage.
Nick Pope (€5.0m) vs Benfica (H)
For those seeking a cheaper alternative, Newcastle’s Nick Pope looks like a gem at just 2% ownership. He’s been in excellent form, keeping consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, including an eight-point haul in Matchday 2 against Union SG.
With Benfica struggling for goals and St. James’ Park turning into a fortress, Pope offers solid value and save potential for Fantasy managers looking to free up funds elsewhere.
Defenders
Nuno Mendes (€6.1m) vs Leverkusen (A)
Paris Saint-Germain’s flying full-back Nuno Mendes has been electric so far, producing a league-phase-leading 21 Fantasy points after two matchdays.
He’s already registered a goal, an assist, and a clean sheet, while also picking up a Player of the Match award.
His attacking upside and defensive reliability make him an essential pick, even against a tricky Leverkusen side away from home.
Federico Dimarco (€5.5m) vs Union SG (A)
Dimarco’s ownership might be lower than expected this season, but the Inter defender continues to deliver. With seven and eight points in his two outings so far, he’s part of an Inter defense yet to concede a goal in this competition.
Facing a Union Saint-Gilloise side that shipped four at home to Newcastle, Dimarco could be one of Matchday 3’s best differential picks.
Denzel Dumfries (€6.0m) & Alessandro Bastoni (€5.5m) vs Union SG (A)
Inter defenders dominated Matchday 2, with Denzel Dumfries and Alessandro Bastoni both recording double-digit hauls. Dumfries found the back of the net and earned 12 points, while Bastoni’s assist and clean sheet saw him return 11.
Their form on both ends of the pitch makes them excellent double-up options for managers looking to capitalize on Inter’s defensive strength.
Midfielders
Mohamed Salah (€10.6m) vs Frankfurt (A)
Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah remains one of the most dangerous assets in Fantasy.
Frankfurt’s open style of play could lead to a high-scoring affair, and Salah—who already has a goal and assist in this season’s competition—will be eager to make his mark again.
With 20% ownership and two goals away from hitting 50 in the Champions League, he’s both a popular and potentially explosive captaincy choice.
Marcus Rashford (€7.1m) vs Olympiacos (H)
Rashford’s form makes him nearly impossible to ignore. With two goals, an assist, and a Player of the Match award in his first two games, the Englishman leads Barcelona’s Fantasy scoring charts with 19 points.
Given that managers can confirm his inclusion before the deadline thanks to Barcelona’s early kickoff, Rashford offers reliability and upside for Matchday 3.
Pedri (€7.5m) vs Olympiacos (H)
Pedri remains a fixture in many Fantasy squads, owned by 26% of managers. While he’s yet to record an attacking return in this season’s league phase, his recent assist against Sevilla suggests he’s finding rhythm again.
With the benefit of confirmed team news before the deadline, Pedri is a steady, possession-based midfield option for those avoiding heavy rotation risks.
Kevin De Bruyne (€8.0m) vs PSV (A)
For those hunting for a differential, Kevin De Bruyne is the pick. The Belgian maestro has been in sensational form with three goals and two assists in his last four outings across all competitions.
He posted eight points on Matchday 2 with two assists in Napoli’s win over Sporting CP. Against a PSV side that’s conceded four goals so far, De Bruyne could provide another big haul for just 6% of managers.
Forwards
Erling Haaland (€10.5m) vs Villarreal (A)
The Haaland machine keeps rolling. With 21 goals in 12 games for club and country this season, he’s again a top captaincy option.
Three goals in his first two Champions League games underline his consistency, and facing Villarreal gives him the chance to extend his remarkable record of eight goals against Spanish clubs in this competition.
Harry Kane (€10.6m) vs Club Brugge (H)
Haaland’s biggest rival in both real and Fantasy terms, Harry Kane, has been just as lethal. With 21 goals already this season and back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the Champions League, he sits on 28 Fantasy points—the most of any player.
Kane’s reliability at home to Club Brugge makes him one of the safest captain picks for Matchday 3.
Victor Osimhen (€7.5m) vs Bodø/Glimt (H)
Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen is flying under the radar at just 2% ownership but could be this week’s surprise star.
The Nigerian striker scored the winner against Liverpool last time out and followed that up with a hat-trick for his country against Benin.
Back at home against Bodø/Glimt, Osimhen’s confidence and form make him a smart pick for Fantasy managers seeking a low-owned differential.
Who are you captaining this week – Haaland, Kane, or maybe a daring Salah pick? Drop your UCL Fantasy captaincy choices and differential picks in the comments below, and let’s see who’s backing the boldest moves this week!
