UCL Fantasy Matchday 9/QFs – Top Picks and Team Selection

As we head into the quarter-finals of the Champions League, fantasy teams are now beginning to look very similar. There are positions where there are still opportunities for more differential picks, however, and this season there has particularly been an emergence in cheap assets providing great value.

This article reveals my own team before transfers and justifies each of my picks, as well as looking at other potential options in each position that I think are worth considering. Managers will have 5 transfers to help move on eliminated players. I will also discuss what my transfer plans and captaincy choice are for UCL Fantasy matchday 9.

[All league stats are taken from FBREF]

[All Champions League stats are taken from the UCL site]

Link to all our UCL Fantasy Blogs in one place ~ All our team reveals, differentials, tips and other UCL Fantasy blogs in one place and for free

UCL Fantasy Quarter Final Fixtures and Teams to Target

Benfica are having a great season, currently sitting first in Primeira Liga, and will go into their match versus Inter as favourites. In the league, they have a brilliant 17 clean sheets in 27 games, highlighting the value of their defensive assets. With 68 league goals (2.52 per game) and 23 Champions League goals (2.88 per game), there is also value in their attackers. Yesterday, they did lose to rivals Porto 2-1, but Inter have been inconsistent this season. They are 4th in Serie A, and have lost 10 games this season, and have on 4, drawn 2, and lost 2 UCL games.

As you probably know, Napoli are a team in blistering form this season. They currently sit 19 points clear at the top of Serie A (having played one more game than Lazio), and have a great goal-scoring and defensive record. With a whopping 66 total goals, they are averaging 2.28 goals per game in the league. In 29 games, they have kept 14 clean sheets. They have continued this great form in the UCL, winning 7 games and losing 1 so far. In this time, they have scored an impressive 25 goals (averaging 3.31 per match) and have kept 4 clean sheets. Despite these great numbers, it is worth noting that their quarter-final opponents AC Milan thoroughly beat them 4-0 last weekend, so it could prove to be an interesting fixture. However, many managers will have several Napoli assets already, and I still think they’re a great team to target.

The tie between Manchester City and Bayern Munich will be hotly contested, with both teams in good form. Man City are currently chasing Arsenal for the Premier League title, averaging 2.54 goals per game (71 in total) and keeping 10 clean sheets in 28 games. In the UCL, they have won 5 and drawn 3, and are again hitting a great average of 2.75 goals per game. Their opponents Bayern Munich currently lead the Bundesliga table, and also have a great average of 2.91 goals per game. In the UCL, they have won all their games so far with a brilliant 7 clean sheets, but this tie against Man City will be tough.

Real Madrid will also be going into the quarter-finals as favourites to advance, after comfortably knocking out Liverpool. They have fallen behind Barcelona domestically, sitting in 2nd place in La Liga with a 12-point gap between them and the top. However, they have scored the most goals (57) in La Liga, averaging 2.11 per game. They have continued this form in the UCL, scoring 21 goals (2.63 per match) – and have won 6, drawn 1, and lost 1 game in the competition so far. Defensively, they have kept 10 clean sheets in La Liga, and 3 clean sheets in the UCL. Their opponents Chelsea are having a poorer season, currently sitting at 11th place in the Premier League. This could still be a close game, but last year’s winners will go into this as favorites.

It is also worth noting that the winner between Benfica and Inter, and AC Milan and Napoli, will face each other in the semi-final. Therefore, these teams have nicer fixtures to get to the final compared to the other teams left in the competition.

Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Preview and Players to Target

UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Team – Before Transfers

Here is my current team, before I have made any transfers:

Top Picks for UCL Fantasy Matchday 9

Goalkeepers

Meret (£5m) is the second-highest-scoring goalkeeper in UCL Fantasy, with 4 clean sheets in 8 games. Like a lot of the keepers left, he is a great budget option at £5m and, considering Napoli’s easier route from now on, could be a great hold for the foreseeable.

My other goalkeeper option is Vlachodimos (£5m). He has an impressive 17 clean sheets in 27 Primeira Liga matches. He has had only 2 clean sheets in 8 UCL games, but, again, he offers great value at £5m. Considering Benfica’s form and their easier draw, he is another firm hold and a great asset to have.

Although I won’t be making goalkeeper moves, I think Onana (£5m) is a really strong pick too. He has the most points (42) out of any goalkeeper left in the competition, keeping 5 clean sheets in 8 games. In Serie A, he has kept 7 clean sheets in 18 games, and, despite Inter’s inconsistent form this season, he has proved to be a solid asset.

The more expensive option of Ederson (£6m) will also be popular, as he offers a nailed route into Man City’s defence. As well as this, Courtois (£5.9m) is currently the most transferred in goalkeeper. I would personally prefer to choose the great budget options that have proven themselves – and the ones that have the easier route to the final from here on – though out of the two I prefer Courtois.

Defenders

Napoli captain Di Lorenzo (£5.2m) has the most points (65) of any UCL asset so far in the competition. In Serie A, he has bagged 2 goals (including one in their most recent match) and 4 assists in 29 games and has 2 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League. As well as this, he has kept 13 clean sheets in Serie A and 4 clean sheets in the UCL. At £5.2m, he has been great value and is surely a great pick for the quarter-finals if you don’t already have him. A really cheap route into Napoli’s defence is with Kim Min-Jae (£4.6m). He is yet to have a return in the UCL, but does have 2 goals and 2 assists in Serie A.

Popular asset Grimaldo (£5.4m) is a big threat going forward. In 26 Primeira Liga games, he has scored 2 goals and registered 8 assists. In the UCL, he has registered 2 goals and 3 assists. With Benfica’s great record of 17 clean sheets in 17 league games (with 2 in the Champions League), he is definitely a great pick.

Bah has become a great enabler at £4.7m, becoming a first-team player in a strong defence. In this UCL campaign, he has 2 assists in 8 games. Domestically, he has 1 goal and 3 assists in 25 matches. Definitely a great choice for the games ahead.

Update: Bah suffered an injury vs Porto on Friday and will be out for a few weeks.

Inter defender Dimarco has been another great enabler at £4.5m. So far in the UCL, he has had 2 assists. He has also had 3 goals and 2 assists in Serie A. Inter have been more inconsistent compared to other teams so I definitely prefer the other assets I have over him, but he offers good value for his price point.

I currently have James (£6.2m) in my squad, who is a really exciting asset when fit. Unfortunately, he has had injury issues this season. He has played in 14 Premier League games, getting 1 goal and 1 assist. In 6 UCL games, he has the exact same record. However, if I were to choose a Chelsea asset to bring in it would be Chilwell (£5.4m). After returning from injury, he has been a great threat going forward. Although he has no returns in the UCL this season so far, he does have 2 goals and 2 assists in 19 Premier League games. He is also £0.8m cheaper than Chilwell, which could be really helpful. As they have a tough game against Real Madrid, Chelsea’s chances of a clean sheet are much less than other teams discussed here, but these assets do offer a great attacking threat.

As we will have Man City’s line-up before the deadline, it is possible to go for one of their defensive assets. though they do have a tougher game against Bayern Munich. Dias (£5.6m) tends to be more nailed in Man City’s defence, though he does not have as much of a goal threat as other assets, with his only return so far this season being his one goal in the UCL. His cheaper teammate Akanji (£5m) has had similar playing time but has just managed one assist this season in the Premier League.

Although I won’t choose him for my own team, Cancelo (£6.6m) is still a popular pick who offers a great attacking threat. Since coming to the Bundesliga on loan, he has managed 1 goal and 2 assists in 7 games and has a brilliant 5 assists in this UCL campaign. However, considering the other budget options and the tough game against Man City, I will personally be taking a risk and going without him.

AC Milan don’t stand out as much as the other teams here, but Hernández (£5.9m) is an interesting option. He has 3 goals and 3 assists in 25 Serie A games, though has just 1 assist in the UCL so far. Despite Napoli being the favorites, AC Milan beat them 4-0 last weekend, so opting for their assets could be an interesting strategy – though still a riskier one.

Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Preview and Players to Target

Midfielders

Another brilliant asset that has emerged from Napoli is Kvaratskhelia (£5.9m). In Serie A, he has scored 12 goals and bagged 10 assists – that’s 22 returns in 25 matches. He also has 6 returns in 7 UCL games (2 goals and 4 assists). Kvaratskhelia has great potential for both goals and assists and has also taken some penalties for Napoli. Still, at just £5.9m, he is a sure hold and an exciting prospect.

Another great enabler has been João Mário (£6.4m) from Benfica, particularly because he is on penalties – 5 of his 6 UCL goals have come from these. He also has a brilliant 17 goals in 26 Primeira Liga matches – with 7 of those being penalties. As well as this, he has 2 UCL assists and 6 League assists. Himself and Benfica are in great form, and he is a firm hold.

Vinícius Júnior (£10.1m) is currently the most transferred in midfielder ahead of the quarter-finals, and for good reason. He has the most points (63) of any midfielder left in the competition and has the most goal attempts (31) and attempts on target (17) of any player in this year’s campaign. This has translated to 6 goals in 8 matches, as well as 3 assists. In La Liga, he has 8 goals and 6 assists in 26 matches. After such a brilliant season in 2021/22, he continues to be a great asset.

I have two transfers I need to make in my midfield, and my priority will be bringing in De Bruyne (£10.5m). He just has great creativity, highlighted by his 13 assists in the Premier League, along with 5 goals. In City’s UCL campaign, he has 1 goal and 3 assists in 5 matches. As we get to see City’s line-up before the deadline, this will avoid managers being hit by rotation.

Although I already have a lot of Napoli assets, another player to consider is Zielinski (£7.2m). He is more expensive than his teammates, but again, he is part of a great team. In Serie A, he has 3 goals and 7 assists and has had an impressive UCL campaign, with 4 goals and 2 assists in 8 matches. I think there are better cheaper assets to go for, but as we come towards the end of the competition with fewer options he is a solid pick.

Although Valverde (£6.9m) has been considered more of a defensive midfielder, at his price point he does offer great value. In 7 UCL matches, he has 2 goals and 2 assists and has picked up 7 goals and 2 assists in La Liga. Along with his ball recovery points, he is a solid pick but perhaps not as exciting as some of the other assets.

Bayern Munich do have more expensive but solid assets in Sané (£9.3m) and Mané (£10.7m). Sané is my favourite of the two, and he has had a good UCL campaign, with 4 goals and 1 assist. In the Bundesliga, he has 7 goals and 5 assists and, despite his high price tag, is a great asset who could definitely provide some points despite Bayern Munich’s tough tie. Teammate Mané has 6 goals and 4 assists in 19 Bundesliga games, and 3 goals and 1 assist in the UCL. However, I think his price tag of £10.7m is a little high.

Further Read: UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Preview and Players to Target

Forwards

At this stage, Haaland (£11m) definitely picks himself. He has an amazing record – with 28 goals and 5 assists in the Premier League, and 10 goals in the UCL. Man City have a tougher fixture against Bayern Munich, but Haaland has continuously proved that he can still deliver in these tougher fixtures.

Another striker in fine form is Napoli’s Osimhen (£7.9m). He is Serie A’s top goalscorer, with 21 goals in 23 games, and also has 4 assists. In 5 UCL games, he has scored 4 goals, with no assists so far. He is a top pick, but has unfortunately had injury concerns leading up to the quarter-finals. He has missed Napoli’s last two matches (including their 4-0 defeat to AC Milan), but is back in contention to start in the Champions League – this is positive news, but hopefully more will emerge soon.

For my third striker spot to replace Mbappé, I will most likely choose one of the Benfica strikers. Silva (£8.6m) has 5 goals and 1 assist in the UCL, and 6 goals and 3 assists in the Primeira Liga. However, I will most likely spend a little more to get Ramos (£9m) considering his great domestic form. In 23 matches, he has an impressive 17 goals and 2 assists, with 3 goals and 1 assist in the UCL. At just 2% ownership, he looks to be a great differential for the UCL Fantasy quarter-finals.

AC Milan forward Leão (£8.5m) has a fairly high ownership of 12% and, as AC Milan are in the easier route to the final, could be an interesting pick. In 27 Serie A matches, he has 10 goals and 6 assists, also has 1 goal and 2 assists in the UCL. He did just score 2 goals in AC Milan’s 4-0 win over Napoli, though I personally prefer the Benfica assets.

UCL Fantasy Team Selection for Matchday 9

I won’t make any transfers before we get the line-ups, but this is how I’m currently thinking of lining up for UCL Fantasy Matchday 9. The only position I’m unsure of and thinking of taking more of a risk on is Sané, but he does have a very high ownership and could really turn up despite this tough fixture. I’m really happy with my forwards and keepers, though there are some spots in my defence, particularly James and Dimarco, that I am less confident on. I am currently thinking of replacing Bah with Hernández.

Captaincy Options for UCL Fantasy Matchday 9

For Tuesday, it would be difficult to go against Haaland, particularly after I didn’t captain him in matchday 8 – when he scored 5 goals against RB Leipzig. De Bruyne is a great asset, but Haaland’s form is incredible and going against him would be a big risk. Benfica are a team in great form, and options like Grimaldo, João Mário, and Ramos are enticing differential captains – but I will most likely stick with Haaland.

If I decide to change my captain on Wednesday, the top contenders for me are Vinícius Júnior and one of the Napoli assets (who could all be great options). Real Madrid have been inconsistent at times in La Liga, but Vinícius Júnior has been great for them in the UCL.

Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of UCL Fantasy MD9

UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Preview and Players to Target
What is the Limitless Chip in UCL Fantasy | Limitless Chip Guide
UCL Fantasy Matchday 9/QFs – Top Picks and Team Selection
Beginner’s Guide to 22/23 UCL Fantasy Season | UCL Fantasy Tips

Link to all our UCL Fantasy Blogs in one place ~ All our team reveals, differentials, tips, and other UCL Fantasy blogs in one place and for free

Thanks for reading the ‘UCL Fantasy Matchday 9 Top Picks Blog’ blog. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for regular blogs and updates. Also, follow our  110,000+community on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to stay updated on regular Posts and FPL updates.

What’s next from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of Matchday 9 of the 2022/23 UCL Fantasy Season?

We’ll be covering UCL Fantasy team structures, must-own players, player comparisons, differential picks, fixture analysis, captaincy analysis, multiple team reveal drafts with pros and cons, chip strategy, rules guide, beginners guide, UCL fantasy tips, and more. Keep checking allaboutfpl.com for all our blogs and subscribe to our free newsletter through the link below. We’ll also be posting regularly about the same on our social media accounts so follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook keep our notification ON.

Our content is always free and if you like our content do drop a comment, follow, subscribe, and support us. Your love is what keeps us going:)