Best Players for UCL Fantasy Matchday 1 (2025/26) | Top Picks & Must-Haves
As the new European campaign kicks off, fantasy managers are already planning their squads for the opening round. In this guide on the Best Players for UCL Fantasy Matchday 1 (2025/26) | Top Picks & Must-Haves, we’ll highlight the key names you can’t afford to miss.
From nailed-on premiums to clever differentials, these are the players most likely to deliver points in Matchday 1 and give you the perfect start to your UCL Fantasy season.
Goalkeepers
Olympiakos have started the season well – winning both of their first two matches. During that time they also bagged two clean sheets – a solid display of their defensive potential. Matchday 1 sees them face Champions League newcomers Pafos, which makes Konstantinos Tzolakis (€4.5m) a great option.
Inter blew UCL Fantasy managers away last season from a defensive perspective. The Italian giants bagged seven clean sheets from a possible eight matches – a record that may take some time to beat. Between the sticks for them is of course Yann Sommer (€6m) who faces an away clash against an un-convincing Ajax.
Sporting are another side many will flock to for investment this week. The Portuguese Champions also face a side unknown to Europe’ elite competition, Kazakhstan side Kairat. Rui Silva (€5m) has helped his side keep two clean sheets already this season, and you can’t rule him out adding a third this week.
Tottenham’ Guglielmo Vicario (€5m) versus Villarreal, new PSG signing Lucas Chevalier (€4.5m) v Atalanta, and Arsenal’ David Raya (€5.5m) against Athletic Club away from home, could all be solid alternatives this week.
Defenders
Tottenham appear to be a completely different outfit under new manager Thomas Frank. With two wins out of three and two clean sheets, the English side are clearly improving. With that in mind, and the fact they play at home this week, flying full-back Pedro Porro (€5m) could be an excellent option. As well as clean sheet potential, Porro also offers attacking threat – having produced eight goal contributions in the league last season.
One player who could have huge potential is Denzel Dumfries (€6m). Inter continue to play with a back-three system, even under new management. Nothing has changed in regards to the Dutchman’ output either – scoring or assisting in his previous three games.
Benfica have started their campaign in solid defensive form. In fact, they have amassed a huge seven clean sheets from their first eight matches of the campaign. A home match against Qarabag could be a perfect opportunity to bag another clean sheet. Their standout option at the back is 37-year-old ball recovery specialist Nicolás Otamendi (€5m) who scored and assisted during the Club World Cup.
There is an abundance of great defender options this week, including Arsenal’ Gabriel (€5.5m) versus Villarreal, PSG full-back Achraf Hakimi (€6m) up against Atalanta, and Sporting CP centre-back Gonçalo Inácio (€4.5m).
Start your long-term planning in UCL Fantasy, with our Fixture Ticker for Matchdays 1-8!
Midfielders
There are several fixtures that stand out for attacking assets this week and one of them is Sporting CP v Kairat. The Portuguese side have already racked up a huge 13 goals this season, so go into their home meeting with confidence.
One of their most influential players in attack is Pedro Goncalves (€6.5m). As well as taking corners – boosting his assist potential, he has also produced three goals and two assists in just four league matches. Don’t be surprised to see Francisco Trincao (€6m) among the goals either. The former Wolves player has become vital to the Sporting attack and already has three goals and one assist to his name this season.
Real Madrid have started their new campaign in perfect form – winning all three of their first La Liga matches and scoring six goals. Opposition Marseille failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their first three games which could paint a target on their backs. With that in mind and taking into account his in-game re-positioning from a forward to a midfielder, Vinicius Junior (€9.5m) could be an excellent option.
Excluding 2024/25′ highest scoring UCL Fantasy player Raphinha (€9.5m) could be un-wise. The Brazilian set-piece taker hit 13 goals and eight assists in his previous Champions League season. He continues to thrive in a scintillating Barcelona attack. No side scored more goals away from home than the Catalans last season, so a match against Newcastle may hold more potential than many think.
There are lots of brilliant midfielder picks for UCL Fantasy managers to consider this week, including Olympiakos star Chiquinho (€5.5m) versus Pafos, Liverpool penalty taker Mohamed Salah (€10.5m) for his meeting with Atleti, and Barcelona’ Lamine Yamal (€10m) v Newcastle.
Forwards
Taking into account their form, Marseille’ ropey start to the season from a defensive perspective, and that they play at home this week, Real Madrid are a side every UCL Fantasy should want to invest in. Leading the attack and taking penalties is of course Kylian Mbappe (€10.5m). The Frenchman has already produced five goals and one assist this season for club and country this season.
The last time Ajax played European football was in the Europa League in which they were dismantled by fellow Champions League participants Frankfurt 4-1. This could highlight their defence as one to target. Inter have two exceptional forward options to choose from. One of them is Lautaro Martinez (€9.5m) who scored and assisted in his opening Serie A match. The other is Marcus Thuram (€8m) who comes in cheaper and has shown slightly better output – hitting two goals and one assist in his first two league games.
Sporting CP should have massive potential against Kairat this week. Since joining from Almeria, 27-year-old Luis Suarez (€5m) has impressed. The Colombian bagged two goals and two assists during his sides first four matches. He also netted a huge four goals in his most recent game for country against Venezuela.
Benfica’ Vangelis Pavlidis (€7m) up against Qarabag, Galatasaray penalty taker Victor Osimhen (€7.5m) v Frankfurt and Barcelona’ Robert Lewandowski (€9.5m) could also have potential in Matchday 1.
