Best Players for UCL Fantasy Matchday 3 (2025/26) | Top Picks & Must-Haves
As the new European continues, fantasy managers are planning their squads for the new round. In this guide on the Best Players for UCL Fantasy Matchday 3 (2025/26) | Top Picks & Must-Haves, we’ll highlight the key names you can’t afford to miss.
Knowing who the best players in each position are for the round ahead is vital for early success. With that in mind, let’s take a look at who could have a big week.
Goalkeepers
Inter have started their 2025/26 Champions League campaign exceptionally well from a defensive standpoint, keeping a clean sheet in each of their first two matches. Contributing to that success – and re-establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper – is Yann Sommer (€6m), who has a fantastic fixture against USG.
Newcastle are another side who have proven themselves defensively. With five clean sheets – the most in the Premier League – they also managed a shutout away from home in Matchday 2. A home fixture against Benfica could see them build on that form, making Nick Pope (€5m) another excellent option.
Chelsea appear to be regaining confidence after their opening loss to Bayern. Before their win over Premier League champions Liverpool, the Blues also kept a clean sheet in Matchday 1. Their upcoming opponent’s attacking form is worth noting too – Ajax are yet to score a single goal in the Champions League, so Robert Sánchez (€5m) could be set for another strong outing.
UCL Fantasy managers could also look to Arsenal’ David Raya (€5.5m) who faces a home match against Atleti, Dortmund’ Gregor Kobel (€5m) up against Copenhagen, and Atalanta’ Marco Carnesecchi (€4.6m) for his meeting with Slavia Praha.
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Defenders
While Inter clearly have strong clean sheet potential this week, they also play with a back three – giving their wing-backs the freedom to push forward. One of those wing-backs is Italian defender Federico Dimarco (€5.5m), who has begun to rediscover his attacking form, producing an impressive two goals and four assists in his last six matches for club and country.
Inter seem to be the go-to team for defender picks. Whilst Dimarco is coming into form, opposite wing-back Denzel Dumfries (€6m) is more consistent. The Dutchman not only scored in his previous Champions League match, but also produced an attacking return in three of his last four matches for country.
Another side that operate with a wing-back system is Dortmund. The German team have been inconsistent this campaign, but a fixture against Copenhagen this week could help steady the ship. One of their attacking wing-backs, Daniel Svensson (€4.5m), has scored in back-to-back matches recently.
PSG’ Achraf Hakimi (€6m) v Leverkusen, Arsenal centre-back Gabriel (€5.5m) versus Atleti, and Chelsea’ Marc Cucurella (€5.5m) up against Ajax, could also have potential in the round ahead.
Midfielders
While arguably not one of the tournament heavyweights, Napoli have constantly proved how dangerous they can be in the Champions League. Most of their appeal in Matchday 3 comes from the fact they face PSV, who continue to leak goals. One player who could take advantage of that is penalty taker Kevin De Bruyne (€8m). The Belgian bagged two assists in the previous round – contributing towards his season tally of eight goals and three assists.
Bayern have now won every single one of their matches since the start of the season. The Bavarians also netted at least three goals in nine of previous 10 games. Helping with that success is was Frenchman Michael Olise (€8m), who could help turn the screw again against Club Brugge this week.
Atalanta bounced back from their Matchday 1 defeat last time out – edging Club Brugge in their 2-1 win. The Italian side looked a lot more convincing with Ademola Lookman (€7m) in the side, albeit, he failed to produce a goal or an assist. He could well make up for that in Matchday 3 against a Slavia Praha side who have shipped at least two goals in each of their first two Champions League games.
There are plenty of midfielders who catch the eye this week, including: Barcelona’ Lamine Yamal (€10m) if starting v Olympiakos, Newcastle’ Anthony Gordon (€7m) for his home match against Benfica, and Arsenal’ Bukayo Saka (€9.5m) v Atleti.
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Forwards
Trying to stop the seemingly unstoppable Bayern is going be an extremely difficult task for Club Brugge this week, especially away from home. Some of this is due to Harry Kane‘ (€10.6m) unstoppable form. The Bavarian penalty taker has already produced a huge 11 goals and three assists in just six Bundesliga matches.
Another striker who can’t stop scoring this season is Erling Haaland (€10.5m). As well as racking up nine goals and one assist in the Premier League so far, Manchester City’ Norwegian has also netted three goals in two Champions League matches.
Galatasaray head into the next round in excellent form. The Turkish giants sit top of their domestic league after scoring 20 goals in just eight matches – an average of 2.5 per game. This week, they host a leaky Bodo/Glimt side, and their main man and penalty taker, Victor Osimhen (€7.5m), is in fine form heading into the fixture.
UCL Fantasy managers could also consider Dortmund’ Serhou Guirassy (€8m) v Copenhagen and Real Madrid’ Kylian Mbappe (€10.6m) up against Juventus.
