Tuesday 20 October
Best captain
Erling Haaland (€11.1m) has the ceiling to dominate this conversation, but his ankle knock makes the decision hinge on team news. He has scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, and Manchester City’s home match against AEK Athens looks promising: AEK lost 3-1 to Shakhtar Donetsk on Matchday 2. If Haaland is fit, he’s an obvious candidate. If his status stays unclear, the risk is real.
Serhou Guirassy (€8.6m) gets a favorable matchup against Champions League newcomers Sabah, but his place in the Dortmund XI is less certain. He scored twice in the opening round and was then left out of the starting lineup. Dortmund need a response after losing to Bodø/Glimt, and the early kickoff gives Fantasy managers a useful advantage: confirmed lineups will be available before the deadline. If Guirassy starts, he’s a serious option.
Above: Guirassy’s league form this season
For a steadier bet on minutes, Donyell Malen (€6.5m) stands out. The Roma forward has served a domestic suspension and is expected to return to the starting XI. His record is hard to ignore: eight goals and one assist in eight appearances, including a brace against Real Madrid on Matchday 2.
Above: Top team projected goals for Matchday 2
Roma host Slovan Bratislava, who have conceded nine goals across their first two Champions League matches. That’s a strong fixture for Malen, and his current form makes him arguably Tuesday’s safer captaincy choice.
Alternative options
Rayan Cherki (€7.0m) could offer a route into Manchester City’s attack if Haaland’s fitness remains a concern. After rotating in the previous match, Enzo Maresca could bring the Frenchman back into the starting XI against AEK. Cherki has five goals and two assists for his club this season, giving him plenty of attacking upside.
Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola (€7.0m) arrives after scoring a hat-trick on Matchday 2. His start at the club had been difficult following his summer move, so that performance may signal a shift in momentum. Liverpool host Villarreal, who conceded three away from home in the opening round; the Reds also scored six against LASK last time out.
Lamine Yamal (€10.1m) remains top of the projected Fantasy points rankings. Barcelona face Paris Saint-Germain, a tougher matchup on paper, but Nuno Mendes’ injury could leave PSG exposed down the left. Yamal has more than one way to earn attacking points, which keeps him in the captaincy conversation despite the opposition.
Above: Midfielder projected points for Matchday 2
Wednesday 21 October
Best captain
Luis Suárez (€7.1m) is the clearest Wednesday pick when you weigh minutes, form, opponent and penalties. Sporting CP have won both of their opening Champions League games, scoring five goals against Galatasaray and Lens. Suárez has scored in each victory, and his wider season return—10 goals and one assist in all competitions—backs up the case.
Penalty duties add another scoring route. For managers who want a captain with strong recent returns and a defined role, Suárez looks the most convincing choice on the second night.
Above: Suárez’s domestic league data
Suárez has the fixture to justify the armband
LASK’s defensive record makes Suárez an attractive captain this week: they conceded six in their last Champions League match and have looked vulnerable at the back. Sporting have already created problems for stronger opponents, so they should find chances here. Suárez adds the ingredients you want in a captain: strong form, the lead role in attack and penalty duties. He’s one of Wednesday’s safer picks, with plenty of upside.Alternatives with real upside
Suárez gets the narrow nod over Kylian Mbappé (€11.0m), but the Real Madrid forward could easily finish the week with more points.
Above: Projected points for forwards ahead of Matchday 2
Real Madrid host RB Leipzig, whose away results this season read 6-1, 4-1 and 3-1 defeats. Madrid have scored four in each of their last two matches, while Mbappé has piled up 12 goals and two assists across all competitions. The numbers make him a serious armband candidate. Leipzig’s poor travel record strengthens the case, though it can’t guarantee another big Madrid score. Florian Thauvin (€6.5m) offers a different route to points from midfield. The Lens player takes penalties and set pieces, and exceeded 1.0 expected goal involvement (xGI) in his last Champions League appearance. Lens meet Club Brugge, who have had defensive problems throughout the campaign. For managers looking beyond the most expensive forwards, Thauvin’s attacking responsibilities and recent underlying numbers make him a credible alternative. Nicolas Jackson (€7.0m) also belongs in the discussion. He’s scored four times in his last four matches, and Aston Villa have netted nine goals across their opening two Champions League fixtures. Their opponents this week, Viking, have conceded three goals in each of their first two matches. Villa should have room to attack; Jackson could be the player who turns that into Fantasy points.
Above: Jackson’s league data from the current campaign
For captaincy, the choice comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take: Suárez looks dependable, while Mbappé has the kind of ceiling that can make the safer pick feel cautious. Thauvin and Jackson round out the options with strong roles and favorable matchups.
