We are back again after what feels like ages since my last UCL Fantasy Differential blog which was way back in MD3, Before we begin the UCL Fantasy MD5 Differentials blog, as always I would like to give thanks to everyone who takes time out and reads my blog, I really appreciate it and keeps me motivated to keep going, so a big thank you 🙂
Now let’s get back to why you are here in the first place: UCL Fantasy MD5 Differentials, There are 4 teams that have already qualified for the next stage of the Uefa Champions League, hence we might see some rotation, the 4 teams are: Ajax, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and Juventus.
Looking at the MD5 fixtures, there are some great fixtures and teams to target for differentials like Atalanta vs BSC Young Boys, Liverpool vs Porto, Inter vs Shakhtar Donetsk, and Ajax vs Besiktas.
You can find the link to all our Champions League Fantasy blogs here. We have separate blogs for captaincy and Differentials do check it out on the link.
All data used in this article has been taken from FBREF
UCL Fantasy MD5 Differentials (<10% TSB)
Davide Zappacosta~Atalanta, 4.3M, TSB: 2%
Davide Zappacosta has been a revelation for Gasperini ever since his move from Genoa to Atalanta, Zappacosta falls in the category of today’s modern-day wing-backs who love to attack every chance they get in the 3-4-3 formation, and its the perfect partnership with Gasperini and Atalanta who play a very attacking style of football.
In Serie A Zappacosta has played in 12 out of 13 games so far with 1xG & 3xA so far to his game, he has an xG of 1.4 and xA of 2.6 which is 2nd best to only Mario Pasalic who has an xA of 3.2 which means Zappacosta has high assist potential every game.
The best part about owning Davide Zappacosta in your UCL Fantasy team is that he only costs 4.3M so there shouldn’t be a budget constraint to getting if you don’t already have him.
Atalanta are currently 3rd in their group and I am sure Gasperini and his men would want to win at all costs when they play Young Boys in MD5 and with the top 2 teams in the group playing each other, this is a good chance for Atalanta to get back into the UCL knockout stage yet again.
Other notable defenders to get- Eder Militao 5.5M, K.Tsimikas 4.5M
Further Read: UCL Fantasy MD5 Preview~Differentials~Captaincy
Sadio Mane~Liverpool, 10.2M, TSB: 1%
Sadio Mane is probably my ultimate differential with only 1% ownership in the UCL Fantasy game. It does make sense given that most managers would prefer Mo Salah instead, but hear me out, Mane already has 5xG and 1xA vs Porto in the Champions League. I am sure we all remember the terrific hattrick he scored vs Porto in the 18/19 season. He has already scored vs Porto in MD2 and I expect him to do well again in MD5.
After a slow start, he’s slowly but surely coming into form in the Premier League this season with 7xG & 1xA in 11 starts at an xG of 7.4 and xA of 1.9.
In my opinion, if you are using your Limitless or Wildcard in the MD5 make sure you at least consider Sadio Mane as an option as he’s still only 1% owned. If he hauls it will only help you gain rank that much faster.
Other notable midfielders to look at-Pedro Goncalves 8M, Dominik Szoboszlai 6.9M Mario Pasalic 7.7M
Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 5- Top Picks, Limitless, and Wildcard Drafts
Dusan Tadic~Ajax, 8.9M, TSB: 1%
Dusan Tadic was one of those players who I loved to watch when he used to play for Southampton in the Premier League back in the day, At Ajax, he’s now become a more complete player and that shows in his output via both goals and assists.
In 13 matches so far in the Eredivisie, he’s notched up 5xG & 10xA which shows that he’s the main creative force in that Ajax attacking line-up. In the Champions League so far he’s had 1xG & 1xA at an xG of 1.6 & xA of 2.2 in 4 games.
He would have been straight into my team if he were classified as a midfielder rather than a forward but he’s a great differential pick nevertheless especially for the managers on Limitless or Wildcard.
Ajax plays a hapless Besiktas team in MD5 who can arguably be called one of the worst teams in the group stages and Tadic will definitely be looking to improve his goal contributions in the Champions League.
Further Read: UCL Fantasy MD5 Preview~Differentials~Captaincy
Yaroslav Rakits’kyy~Zenit, 4.9M, TSB: 1%
This is more of a differential pick because of the opposition Zenit play, Rakits’kyy has 1xG & 4xA in the season for Zenit and in the Champions League, he has already got a couple of assists back in MD2 against the same opposition.
Rakits’kyy also boasts of the most ball recoveries in that Zenit backline with 20 to his name already.
Overall if Zenit keeps a clean sheet and plays the way they usually do, Rakits’kyy can bag a lot of points, and given he’s only 4.9M and 1% owned, I highly recommend him.
Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 5- Top Picks, Limitless, and Wildcard Drafts
Riyad Mahrez~Manchester City, 9.2M, TSB: 4%
Riyad Mahrez can be another explosive MD5 differential given Pep prefers him much more playing in the Champions League than the Premier League.
Mahrez’s record against PSG is great too given that he scored 3 of the 4 goals in last year’s semi-final win over PSG.
The Algerian already has 4xG in 4 games with an xG of 3.4 in this year’s UCL already and I am sure he will look to add some more in the upcoming game against PSG.
Pep on the other hand will want to get one over Pochettino since in their last meeting PSG won 2-0 at home, there is also added incentive of securing the top spot in the group if Man City beat PSG in MD5.
Further Read: UCL Fantasy MD5 Preview~Differentials~Captaincy
Duvan Zapata~Atalanta, 9.7M, TSB: 1%
Duvan Zapata has been one of Gasperini’s main go-to men this season in the attacking department and it’s safe to say that Zapata has disappointed so far.
In 11 matches he’s played in Serie A he’s got 8xG & 3xA with an xG of 7.8 & xA of 1.8, add to that 1xG & 3xA in 4 Champions League games.
Zapata can definitely be your under-the-radar differential pick with only 1% ownership in UCL Fantasy who can go big against Young Boys.
Gasperini will be counting on him to help Atalanta with a win and give them the best chance of qualifying through to the R16’s in March 2022.
Other notable forwards to look at – Antony 7.6M, Lautaro Martinez 10M,
Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 5- Top Picks, Limitless, and Wildcard Drafts
Daley Blind~Ajax, 5.4M, TSB: 7%
Daley Blind has been a rock at the back for Ajax this season and that doesn’t change going to a game against Besiktas.
He is 2nd behind only Cancelo for total UCL Fantasy points this season so far with 35 points in 4 games but is still only owned by 7% of managers.
Blind can easily replicate his exploits in MD3 vs Dortmund where he got a goal, assist, and kept a clean sheet.
Besiktas have been poor all season and I don’t expect anything else other than an Ajax win in this game which makes Daley Blind a great differential pick for MD5.
Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 5- Top Picks, Limitless, and Wildcard Drafts
That’s it folks for UCL Fantasy MD5 Differentials blog, thank you for returning to read my differential blog, as per usual I’ll be back with another differential blog for MD6, till then good luck with your transfers and team.
2021/22 UCL Fantasy Mini League
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of UCL Fantasy MD5:
UCL Fantasy Matchday 5- Top Picks, Limitless, and Wildcard Drafts
UCL Fantasy MD5 Preview~Differentials~Captaincy
Link to all our Champions League Fantasy blogs
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FPL Rossoneri (Nick)
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