The UEFA Champions League returns this week, with Fantasy managers getting ready to build their squads for the opening Matchday of the 2026/27 campaign.
The first round of fixtures offers plenty of opportunities, with several of Europe’s top clubs facing opponents that could provide strong Fantasy returns.
However, selecting the right players will require more than simply focusing on the biggest names, with fixtures, form and expected involvement all important factors to consider.
With that in mind,
here are some of the players worth considering for UEFA Champions League Fantasy Matchday 1.
Goalkeeper
David Raya (€6m) vs Napoli
Raya looks like a strong option between the posts for the opening Matchday. The Arsenal goalkeeper was the leading scorer among goalkeepers in UEFA Champions League Fantasy last season, picking up 74 points after helping his team keep nine clean sheets on their way to the final.
He has also made a good start to the new campaign, keeping two clean sheets in his first three games across all competitions. Napoli away will be a tougher test, but Raya remains a reliable option for Matchday 1.
For managers looking for a cheaper backup, Zion Suzuki (€4.0m) could be a smart option. Aston Villa travel to Club Brugge, and the Belgian side struggled to score against some of Europe’s stronger teams in last season’s competition. Suzuki therefore gives managers a low-cost second goalkeeper while leaving more funds available for the rest of the squad.
Defenders
Achraf Hakimi (€6m) vs Slovan Bratislava
Back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Slovan Bratislava at home, making Hakimi an appealing €6m option. He is currently owned by 29% of managers, while Slovan scored just three goals in their previous Champions League campaign.
That favourable fixture gives Hakimi a good chance of adding to his defensive points, but his attacking numbers make him even more appealing. Last season, he kept four clean sheets, provided six assists and scored one goal.
Those returns show why Hakimi can justify his price, although his fixtures become much tougher afterwards. PSG face Manchester City and Barcelona in their next two matches, which could make him a player to consider for Matchday 1 rather than a long-term pick.
Gabriel Magalhães(€6.0m) vs Napoli
Gabriel (€6.0m) is currently owned by 27% of UCL Fantasy managers after a strong 2025/26 campaign. He recorded eight clean sheets and 79 points, underlining his value as a defensive option.
A clean sheet is far from guaranteed against Napoli, but Gabriel still offers enough to remain in teams. He faces Lille in Matchday 2, where he could also return points, making him a player worth keeping beyond the opening match.
Nathaniel Brown (€4.0m) vs Bodo/Glimt
Nathaniel Brown is an appealing budget option at just €4.0m and is currently selected by 10% of UCL Fantasy managers. Bayern Munich have been using him further forward, giving him a good chance of picking up attacking returns. He scored 30 points last season and faces Bodo/Glimt at home in Matchday 1, making him a useful low-cost option.
Dean Huijsen (€4.5m) vs Inter Milan
Dean Huijsen is an affordable route into the Real Madrid defence at €4.5m and is currently selected by 6% of UCL Fantasy managers. He scored 41 points last season and kept three clean sheets, making him an interesting option at his price. Real Madrid host Inter Milan in Matchday 1 and have some easier fixtures coming up, which could make their defenders appealing for managers looking for longer-term options.
Midfielders
Michael Olise (€9.0m) vs Bodo/Glimt
Michael Olise is the most-owned midfielder in UCL Fantasy, with more than 40% of managers selecting him. He had five goals and eight assists in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, helping Bayern Munich reach the semi-finals.
He has also started the new season well, scoring in each of Bayern Munich’s first three league games. With Bodo/Glimt visiting on Matchday 1, Olise looks like a strong midfield option.
Raphinha (€9.5m) vs Feyenoord
Barcelona’s home meeting with Feyenoord makes Raphinha one of the standout midfield options for Matchday 1. He has made an excellent start to the season, scoring five goals in his first three La Liga appearances.
That form makes him an appealing choice at €9.5m, especially with Barcelona playing at home. He has the attacking threat to deliver another strong Fantasy return and looks like one of the better midfield picks for the opening matchday.
For managers looking for an alternative, Lamine Yamal (€10.0m) has also started the season well with two goals in La Liga. The home fixture against Feyenoord gives him a good opportunity to add to his tally.
Bruno Fernandes (€9.0m) vs Sabah
Manchester United secured their return to the UEFA Champions League last season after finishing third in the Premier League, with Aston Villa finishing fourth. Bruno Fernandes will be an important player for them in Europe.
So far this season, he has scored three goals and assisted one across his first two league matches. With Manchester United facing Sabah at home, his penalty-taking duties and attacking role make him an appealing option, with 16% of UCL Fantasy managers already trusting him to deliver valuable points in Matchday 1.
Jude Bellingham (€8.5m) vs Inter Milan
Real Madrid face Inter Milan in Matchday 1, but Jude Bellingham remains an interesting midfield option at €8.5m. He has started the new La Liga season strongly, scoring twice and providing two assists in his first four appearances.
His attacking involvement gives him plenty of potential to return points, although the difficult fixture means he may not be as safe a pick as some of the midfielders with easier opponents. Still, his quality and role in the Real Madrid attack make him a strong option.
Forwards
Harry Kane (€11.0m) vs Bodø/Glimt
Bayern Munich’s home fixture against Bodo/Glimt makes Harry Kane (€11.0m) one of the standout premium forward options for Matchday 1. He scored 14 goals and collected 103 Fantasy points in the UEFA Champions League last season.
His penalty duties provide another route to points, while his goalscoring record gives him strong captaincy potential. At €11.0m, he is an expensive option, but the favourable fixture makes the price easier to justify.
Serhou Guirassy (€8.5m) vs Villarreal
Borussia Dortmund’s opening game against Villarreal makes Serhou Guirassy an interesting forward option at €8.5m. Villarreal are still searching for their first league win of the season, while Guirassy scored in Dortmund’s latest league game, a 3-2 win away to Hoffenheim.
That goal could give him confidence heading into Matchday 1, especially with Dortmund facing a Villarreal side that has struggled for results. His role as Dortmund’s main striker also gives him a good opportunity to get on the scoresheet again.
Looking back at last season, Guirassy scored 49 points, with four goals and three assists. He is currently selected by 7% of managers, making him a less popular option who could still provide a useful return.
