Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League kicks off on Tuesday, and fantasy managers are already facing tough calls with several big-name absentees and late fitness concerns.
Here’s a team-by-team breakdown of who’s out and who’s a doubt across the opening round of fixtures.
Tuesday, September 16
Athletic Club vs Arsenal (18:45 CET)
Athletic Club will be without Nico Williams (muscular) and Prados (knee), both ruled out of the opener. Lekue is carrying a muscular issue and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Arsenal are hit even harder. Bukayo Saka (hamstring),
Kai Havertz (knee), Mathias Nørgaard (muscular), Martin Ødegaard (shoulder), and Ben White (unspecified) are all sidelined. To make matters worse, William Saliba is doubtful with an ankle problem—one to monitor given his importance at the back.
PSV Eindhoven vs Union Saint-Gilloise (18:45 CET)
PSV will be missing Mauro Júnior (ankle), while defender Armando Obispo is a doubt with a head injury.
Union SG’s squad is stretched. Raul Florucz is suspended, and the trio of Van de Perre (back), Sofiane Boufal (hamstring), and Fuseini (ankle) are out. Burgess (foot) and Mac Allister (muscular) remain doubtful.
Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund
Juventus have only one confirmed absentee, Fabio Miretti (thigh), but doubts linger over Francisco Conceição (muscular) and Edon Zhegrova (fitness).
Borussia Dortmund, meanwhile, are dealing with a full-blown injury crisis. Emre Can (thigh), Fabio Silva (hamstring), Pascal Gross (illness), Nico Schlotterbeck (knee), and Niklas Süle (calf) are all out. Julian Brandt (wrist) and Anselmino (fitness) are doubts, which could further limit options in midfield.
Real Madrid vs Marseille
Real Madrid are without some heavy hitters: Jude Bellingham (shoulder), Endrick (hamstring), Ferland Mendy (thigh), and Antonio Rüdiger (thigh). Eduardo Camavinga is doubtful as he works back to full fitness.
Marseille are missing Nayef Aguerd (concussion), while Amine Gouiri is a doubt with a shoulder issue.
Benfica vs Qarabağ
Benfica are short on numbers. Bah, Manu Silva, Nuno Félix, Bruma, Dedić, and Dodi Lukebakio are all out. However, they don’t have any fresh doubts going into the game. Qarabağ arrive in Lisbon with a fully fit squad.
Tottenham vs Villarreal
Tottenham’s only absentee is new striker Dominic Solanke (ankle). Villarreal, however, will be without Kambwala (hamstring) and star forward Gerard Moreno (hamstring).
Wednesday, September 17
Olympiacos vs Pafos (18:45 CET)
Olympiacos miss Tzolakis (suspended), Yaremchuk (calf), and Martins (knee). Pafos have no injury concerns.
Slavia Praha vs Bodø/Glimt (18:45 CET)
Slavia have no confirmed absentees but Bořil (unspecified) and Ogbu (muscle) are doubts. Bodø/Glimt are without Blomberg (ligament), while Høgh and Aleesami are doubtful.
Ajax vs Inter
Ajax are without Van den Boomen (back), but otherwise at full strength. Inter report no injuries or doubts.
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
Bayern will be missing four important names: Alphonso Davies (knee), Raphaël Guerreiro (muscle), Hiroki Ito (foot), and Jamal Musiala (ankle).
Chelsea also face problems. Colwill (knee), Delap (hamstring), and Essugo (thigh) are out. Badiashile and Lavia are both doubtful with muscular issues.
Liverpool vs Atlético de Madrid
Liverpool are only missing Curtis Jones (unspecified), though Alexis Mac Allister is doubtful with an ankle issue.
Atleti have several absentees and doubts. Thiago Almada (muscular) and Álex Baena (fitness) are ruled out. Doubts include Julio Álvarez (knock), José Giménez (hamstring), Ángel González (unspecified), David Hancko (ankle), and Robin Le Normand (muscular).
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta
PSG are without Ousmane Dembélé (hamstring) and Doué (calf). Doubts include Beraldo (ankle), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (calf), and Lee Kang-in (muscle).
Atalanta will miss Sead Kolašinac (knee) and Éderson (meniscus), while striker Gianluca Scamacca is doubtful with a knee issue.
Thursday, September 18
Club Brugge vs Monaco (18:45 CET)
Club Brugge will be missing Reis (illness) and Vermant (leg). Seys (hamstring) and Vetlesen (illness) are both doubts.
Monaco are without Hradecky (knee) and Paul Pogba (fitness). Ansu Fati (fitness), Aleksandr Golovin (hamstring), Idumbo (hip), and Vanderson (calf) are all doubts.
Copenhagen vs Leverkusen (18:45 CET)
Copenhagen are without Mattsson (ankle), Moalem (hip), and Højer (unspecified). Leverkusen are missing Exequiel Palacios (thigh), with Arthur a doubt due to illness.
Frankfurt vs Galatasaray
Frankfurt are without Kristensen (muscular), with doubts over Mario Götze (muscular) and Larsson (illness).
Galatasaray have no confirmed absentees, though star striker Victor Osimhen is a doubt with an ankle problem.
Manchester City vs Napoli
City are heavily depleted: Marmoush (knee), John Stones (muscular), Rayan Cherki (thigh), Ait-Nouri (ankle), and Mateo Kovačić (achilles) are all out. Bettinelli is also a doubt.
Napoli will be without Amir Rrahmani (muscular), but otherwise travel with a clean bill of health.
Newcastle United vs Barcelona
Newcastle miss Ramsey (ankle) and Yoane Wissa (knee).
Barcelona are without Alejandro Balde (calf), Gavi (knee), and Marc-André ter Stegen (back). Frenkie de Jong (hip) and Lamine Yamal (groin) are doubtful.
Sporting CP vs Kairat Almaty
Sporting have a lengthy injury list: Nuno Santos (knee), Daniel Bragança (knee), Morita, Diomande, and Catamo (all muscular). Rui Silva is doubtful with a thigh problem.
Kairat will be without Zarutskiy (knee), Anarbekov (jaw), and Zaria (knee)
