UCL Fantasy: Expert Reactions to the Round of 16 Draw
In this article we take a look at our Champions League Fantasy managers expert reactions to the Round of 16 draw. They provide their initial thoughts regarding the draw with a focus on some of the teams they will be hoping to invest in when the latter stages arrive.
Our UCL Fantasy expert managers have been providing us with their team reveals throughout the Group Stages. We have followed their right up until this very point. With that in mind checking out their expert reactions to the round of 16 draw could be hugely beneficial when it comes to our own planning.
@Big4FPL
“The City, Bayern, Arsenal, Dortmund and PSG fixtures immediately stand out, even though I’m sure at least one of them will throw up a surprise (Sociedad? Porto?). Kane, Haaland and Mbappe are the obvious front three given their fixtures. However with Kane and Mbappe playing on the same day, do we risk dropping one for another days captaincy choice and to spread the budget?”
“Midfielders Saka and Bellingham pick themselves, with Saka a good final day captain if needed. Day 3 is probably the hardest to have a backup captaincy choice. Though, squeezing in someone like Brandt is an option. Otherwise it’s a Dortmund or Inter defender/ball recovery monster (Hummels/Bastoni) who may be the play. I think our teams will largely be stacked for day 1 and day 2. Our benches will have a few day 3/4 players to sub in where needed”.
@FplRossoneri
“The draw looks as straight forward as it can be in terms of teams to target from a UCL Fantasy perspective. Those teams include Arsenal, Bayern, Man City and Real Madrid. It’s also great that we get to see the City and Real Madrid line-ups in MD7”.
“Fixtures like Barcelona vs Napoli and Inter vs Atletico are more evenly poised. Because of that getting the right picks from these teams would definitely boost you up the ranks. Premium players like Mbappe will still be in the reckoning as I expect him to do well in the R16 against Real Sociedad. But it isn’t an easy fixture as some might perceive it to be on paper”.
“There will be a template forming with triple Man City and triple Bayern. That includes the likes of Bellingham, Mbappe and Saka so nailing the other picks outside of these players will be important come February 2024”.
@aaron_graydon
“Thoughts on draw: From a purely football viewing spectacle, I am very excited about the Napoli vs Barcelona draw and Atletico Madrid vs. Inter. They are definitely the most competitive. In fantasy, the stalemate of having very similar teams will be tough to navigate as we have clear teams to target. The make up of our teams and captaincy choices will be the biggest deciding factor of rank. The next round always has an upset or two. Because of that I am really hoping to see a few of them this year too”.
@FPL_Crisk
“Many matches are very one-sided. We all probably expect City, Bayern, Arsenal and, to an extent, PSG and Real Madrid to qualify to the QFs. This gives us plenty of options between captaincy and premium picks”.
“Inter vs Atletico is another interesting matchup. I’m expecting the Italian team to end up victorious. But, the important thing here is that both teams boast a solid defensive and their players come at an affordable price”.
“On the other hand Dortmund vs PSV is a fixture from which attacking players could thrive. But, I would wait until the second game to invest in either team due to the unpredictability of the matchup (at least, in my humble opinion). At the moment, I’m not interested (fantasy wise) in the fixture between Napoli and Barcelona. I feel like Xavi’s team will pass the turn. But, I haven’t been satisfied in his players’ value”.
@FplToni
“The draw was kind for some big teams. But, this is what you can expect when they finish top of the group. Now it is too early to start with picking players but from first look I am sure that I will be on maximum players from Manchester City and Bayern. Arsenal will be favourites also so I can see their defenders and Saka in my team if they are all fit. The Barcelona and Napoli game could be interesting and with a lot of goals so their attackers are always good shout”.
You can catch up with the full Champions League last 16 draw right here.
