NMA - UCL MD-3 Player Picks

No sooner is EPL’s action concluded than we head into MD-3 of the UEFA Champions League, so fantasy managers must quickly pivot toward to optimising their UCL Fantasy squads. Here are some of the top-performing assets across all positions, using key stats and form analysis to help you make the smartest choices.

Emiliano Martínez (€5.0m) – Aston Villa

Martínez has been a standout performer in this season’s Champions League, keeping two clean sheets in his two games so far. His impressive eight-point performance in Villa’s win over Bayern München, in which he made seven saves, highlights his form. Villa hosts minnow Bologna on Tuesday, so with a solid defensive record, Martínez is a great shout for a clean sheet.

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Marco Bizot (€4.5m) – Brest

Bizot may not be the first name on every manager’s list, but his 14-point tally across the first two match-days puts him on our radar. He was instrumental in Brest’s 4-0 win at RB Salzburg, racking up six saves and a clean sheet. Bizot offers great value for money ahead of his Wednesday match against Leverkusen, making him a strong budget option.

Nicolás Otamendi (€5.0m) – Benfica

Otamendi is more than just a clean-sheet magnet and prior UCL season stud. He has contributed a goal and two assists in his last five club appearances, with 13 ball recoveries in the Champions League so far. Hosting Feyenoord, Otamendi offers points potential both defensively and offensively, making him a top-tier option.

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Jeremie Frimpong (€5.6m) – Bayer Leverkusen

Frimpong’s attacking prowess has been evident, with three assists already in this campaign. Leverkusen’s match against Brest presents another opportunity for the fullback to rack up points with both his defensive contributions and attacking involvement. Bonus: He has delivered 12 and 8 despite being on editor Jeff’s squad, a testament to his magic.

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William Saliba (€5.5m) – Arsenal

Arsenal’s home match against Shakhtar Donetsk offers a good chance for a clean sheet, and Saliba has been a consistent performer at the back. His favorable fixture and ability to recover balls makes him a valuable addition. Note: His EPL red card does not affect his eligibility in UCL except perhaps to keep him more focused on his European matches during his domestic suspension.

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Alexander Bah (€5.0m) – Benfica

Another Benfica player to consider, Bah delivered a 15-point performance against Atlético Madrid, scoring and contributing significantly defensively with ten ball recoveries. Against Feyenoord, Bah is a prime candidate to bring in points from multiple avenues.

Karim Adeyemi (€7.0m) – Dortmund

Adeyemi is the standout performer heading into MD-3 after his sensational hattrick in Dortmund’s 7-1 demolition of Celtic. With 23 fantasy points in MD-2, Adeyemi is in prime form and, despite facing Real Madrid, remains an exciting pick due to his attacking output.

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Phil Foden (€9.0m) – Man City

Foden’s consistency for City continues to shine through, with a goal, assist, and Player of the Match performance in his last outing. City hosts Sparta Praha, and given Foden’s form, he is a key midfielder to consider as Pep Guardiola’s side looks to dominate.

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Leandro Trossard (€7.5m) – Arsenal

Trossard has been a standout performer for Arsenal this season, and with a favorable home fixture against Shakhtar Donetsk, he becomes an enticing pick. His ability to operate in multiple attacking positions, along with his knack for scoring crucial goals, makes Trossard a great midfield option.

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Jerdy Schouten (€5.5m) – PSV Eindhoven

Schouten has been a ball recovery machine, with 17 between his first two games. His 14-point performance in the win over Sporting CP included a stunning goal from outside the box. PSV’s upcoming visit to Paris Saint-Germain will be challenging, but Schouten’s defensive and offensive contributions make him a valuable differential.

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Mo Salah (€10.0m) – Liverpool

Salah’s consistent dividends make him an easy inclusion despite his high price, and now he visits RB Leipzig. He registered a goal, assist and player of the match in his previous UCL game, plus he scored and assisted against Chelsea on the weekend, so Salah has match-proof potential for both goals and assists anytime, anywhere.

Robert Lewandowski (€9.5m) – Barcelona

Lewandowski’s prolific goal-scoring continues, with 10 goals in his last six matches for Barcelona. Hosting his former (and possibly out-of-sorts) club Bayern München, Lewandowski will be motivated to prove a point, and despite a knock on international duty with Poland, he remains a prime forward option.

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Mehdi Taremi (€7.0m) – Inter Milan

Taremi is another forward in red-hot form, scoring once and providing two assists in Inter’s last game against Crvena Zvezda. Inter takes on Young Boys next, and with Taremi’s attacking involvement, he is a mid-priced option who can deliver significant points.

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Mateo Retegui (€5.5m) – Atalanta

Retegui may not have impressed in the Champions League so far, but his domestic form tells a different story. Joint-top scorer in Serie- A, Retegui is coming off a hattrick, so he is a great differential pick for Atalanta’s game against Celtic. His form could translate into UCL success at any moment, making him a risk worth taking.

With a mix of players in form and others benefiting from favorable fixtures, these picks aim to give you the best chance of racking up points on MD-3. Whether it’s premium picks or differential options, now’s the time to finalize your squad before the looming deadline.

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So what holes do you need to fill? Do these picks help you? Whom else are you watching? What questions do you have for the NMA staff? We’re a bunch of lonely fantasy futbol geeks with nobody to talk to, so please log in and keep us company in the comments!

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