Matchday two offers some interesting opportunities to load up on highly-owned players as well as selecting one or two diamonds in the rough. Here’s a selection of players who fall into either category.
GOALKEEPERS
Popular pick
Ederson (€5.5m) vs Hoffenheim (A)
Remains the most highly-owned goalkeeper in Fantasy despite Manchester City’s surprise 1-2 defeat to Lyon on matchday one. Josep Guardiola’s men have not conceded a goal in the three domestic matches since and will be determined to get off the mark on Tuesday at Hoffenheim, who are enduring an indifferent start to the season.
Selected by: 24%
Potential differential
Wojciech Szczęsny (€5.5m) vs Young Boys (H)
Juventus boast a perfect winning record in all competitions this season and have conceded just twice at home in four matches. Szczęsny kept Valencia at bay in opening win at Valencia and the Italian giants welcome Young Boys to Turin on Tuesday. Featuring in just 8% of Fantasy squads, Szczęsny is one to consider.
Selected by: 8%
DEFENDERS
Popular pick
Joshua Kimmich (€6.0m) vs Ajax (H)
Classed as a midfielder in Fantasy last season, Kimmich was the top points scorer in that position. Now reclassified as a defender, the German boasts the added potential of extra clean sheet points, which came to fruition in Bayern’s matchday one victory over Benfica. With two assists to his name in the Bundesliga this season, it’s no wonder Kimmich is proving a popular Fantasy choice.
Selected by: 39%
Potential differential
Jesús Vallejo (€4.0m) vs CSKA Moskva (A)
Injuries to key players can often bring about interesting differential options for Fantasy players, and that is exactly the case with Real Madrid centre-back Jesús Vallejo. With Sergio Ramos out of action for the trip to CSKS Moskva, the 1%-owned Vallejo is set to step into the heart of defence and, at the bargain price of €4.0m, could be a shrewd investment.
Selected by: 1%
MIDFIELDERS
Popular pick
James Milner (€5.5m) vs Napoli (A)
Milner was an assist machine in last season’s UEFA Champions League, ending as the midfielder with the second highest points total. The Liverpool man also has other attacking attributes – demonstrated by his goal against Paris on matchday one – making him a staple among Fantasy teams at present.
Selected by: 32%
Potential differential
Leroy Sané (€9.0m) vs Hoffenheim (A)
An inauspicious start to 2018/19 meant Sané has been largely overlooked by Fantasy managers but the German winger has now found his feet having re-established himself in the Manchester City line-up. Sané has either scored or assisted in his last four appearances in all competitions so he has the form to reward his owners on Tuesday.
Selected by: 2%
FORWARDS
Popular pick
Lionel Messi (€11.5m) vs Tottenham (A)
A whopping 52% of Fantasy managers now own Lionel Messi, with no other player coming close to that level of ownership. Hardly surprising given his matchday one hat-trick against PSV, but an away trip to Wembley is a different proposition. Messi has failed to score in six of his last seven UEFA Champions League away games, and Barcelona have stuttered in recent Liga matches. Still, dare you go without him?
Selected by: 52%
Potential differential
Edinson Cavani (€11.0m) vs Crvena zvezda (H)
Kylian MbappĂ© and Neymar are currently featuring in more Fantasy squads but if you’re after a differential choice in the Paris front three, look no further than Cavani. The Uruguayan striker outscored his team-mates in last season’s competition and is expected to be restored to the line-up after being rested at the weekend. With his side welcoming Crvena zvezda on Wednesday, Cavani will be hungry to get amongst the goals.
Selected by: 2%
Fantasy tip: While it is worth taking one or two risks with your Fantasy selections, be careful not to completely ignore the highly-owned players as they are popular for a reason. Balance is the key!
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