While all eyes turn to tonight’s Day 1 fixtures, savvy UCL Fantasy managers are already planning for Wednesday’s four ties. And there’s plenty to digest. Between suspensions, injuries and fitness doubts, several high-profile names will be missing from Day 2 - and that has significant knock-on effects for your squad.
Here’s the full breakdown, tie by tie.
Bayern München vs Atalanta - Allianz Arena, 20:00 GMT
Leg 1: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern München
Bayern demolished Atalanta in the first leg and the tie is effectively over. But the team news is still significant for fantasy purposes.
Olise is banned for this match. With 57 points and 36% ownership, he’s one of the most-owned Day 2 assets. His absence is a massive blow - but also levels the playing field. If you don’t own him, his suspension means you won’t lose ground to the 36% who do.
Kimmich also misses out through suspension. He’s a lower-ownership option at just 0%, but his absence weakens Bayern’s midfield control.
Neuer remains sidelined. With Sven Ulreich also injured and backup Jonas Urbig rated doubtful, Bayern’s goalkeeping situation is a genuine crisis. Avoid Bayern keepers entirely.
Davies is unlikely to feature, meaning Raphael Guerreiro (€4.9m) should continue at left-back.
Fantasy impact
With a 6-1 aggregate lead, Bayern could rotate heavily. Harry Kane (€10.8m, 38% ownership, form 5.0) is the standout pick if he starts - he has nothing to prove in this tie but is Bayern’s talisman. The risk is that he’s rested. Luis Díaz (€7.5m) and Serge Gnabry (€6.4m) could see increased minutes with Olise suspended. Upamecano (€5.0m) and Tah (€5.4m) are solid defensive picks if you expect a routine home win.
⚠️ Rotation warning: Bayern are 6-1 up. There is a genuine risk of wholesale changes. Only pick Bayern assets if you’re confident they’ll start. Kane, Upamecano and Gnabry feel safest.
Barcelona vs Newcastle - Camp Nou, 17:45 GMT
Leg 1: Newcastle 1-1 Barcelona
This is the tightest tie of the round and both sides have significant absences.
Barcelona absences
- Jules Koundé (DEF, €5.6m) - Injured, unlikely to start
- Alejandro Balde (DEF, €4.8m) - Injured, unlikely to start
- Frenkie de Jong (MID, €5.9m) - Injured, unlikely to start
- Andreas Christensen (DEF, €4.1m) - Injured, unlikely to start
Barcelona are missing four defensive players, which is a real concern for their backline. Pau Cubarsi (€5.5m) and Gerard Martín (€3.8m) should start, while Ronald Araújo (€4.2m) and Eric García (€4.5m) could feature. This defensive fragility makes Barcelona clean sheet picks risky despite home advantage.
Newcastle absences
- Bruno Guimarães (MID, €6.0m) - Injured, unlikely to start. Huge loss - Newcastle’s midfield controller.
- Fabian Schär (DEF, €4.2m) - Injured, unlikely to start
- Sandro Tonali (MID, €6.7m) - Doubtful, but in contention. 49 points this campaign, could be a differential if he plays.
- Lewis Miley (MID, €4.9m) - Doubtful, in contention
- Joe Willock (MID, €5.1m) - Doubtful, in contention
Fantasy impact
Anthony Gordon (€7.3m, 88 total points, 16% ownership) is the standout player in this tie. He’s the highest-scoring player among Day 2 assets and is available. Harvey Barnes (€6.9m) and Dan Burn (€5.1m, 60 pts) offer good value too.
For Barcelona, Lamine Yamal (€9.9m, form 5.0) is electric at home and Fermín López (€6.7m, 57 pts, 15% ownership) continues to deliver. Pedri (€7.5m, 16% ownership) is fit and could thrive in a must-win match.
💡 Tip: This 1-1 aggregate makes Camp Nou a goldmine. Both teams must attack. Stack attacking players from this fixture for maximum upside.
Tottenham vs Atlético Madrid - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 20:00 GMT
Leg 1: Atlético Madrid 5-2 Tottenham
Spurs need to overturn a three-goal deficit. It’s a mountain, but the team news on both sides is interesting.
Tottenham absences
- Destiny Udogie (DEF, €4.7m) - Injured, out
- Mohammed Kudus (MID, €6.9m) - Injured, out
- Wilson Odobert (MID, €5.5m) - Injured, out
- Lucas Bergvall (MID, €5.1m) - Injured, out
- Radu Drăgușin (DEF, €4.5m) - Doubtful, in contention
Atlético absences
This is big. Oblak is one of Europe’s finest and his absence could open the door for Spurs. Whoever deputises in goal will be far less reliable. Avoid Atlético defensive picks - a clean sheet is far less certain without their first-choice keeper.
- Rodrigo Mendoza (MID, €4.9m) - Injured, out
- Pablo Barrios (MID, €5.5m) - Doubtful, in contention
Fantasy impact
Spurs are desperate. They need to score at least four to advance. That means all-out attack - making their attackers interesting fantasy propositions. Cristian Romero (€5.0m, 61 pts, 8.7 avg) has been remarkable this campaign but clean sheets are unlikely in a game Spurs need to throw everything forward. Pedro Porro (€5.0m, 59 pts) offers attacking upside from defence.
Xavi Simons (€6.6m) and Randal Kolo Muani (€7.6m) could benefit from Spurs going all-in. On the Atlético side, Julián Álvarez (€9.1m, 18% ownership) and Alexander Sørloth (€7.4m, form 4.0) will fancy their chances on the counter against a stretched Spurs defence, especially without Oblak’s loss being offset by defensive solidity.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray - Anfield, 20:00 GMT
Leg 1: Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Liverpool need to overturn a slender deficit at Anfield. The Kop will be rocking - but they’re not at full strength.
Liverpool absences
- Conor Bradley (DEF, €4.3m) - Injured, out
- Wataru Endo (MID, €5.5m) - Injured, out
- Alexander Isak (FWD, €8.6m) - Injured, out
Galatasaray absences
- Davinson Sánchez (DEF, €4.6m) - Suspended. Missing a key centre-back weakens Galatasaray’s rearguard.
Fantasy impact
Liverpool at Anfield needing a result? This screams goals. Dominik Szoboszlai (€7.0m, 68 pts, form 4.5) is the standout - he’s been Liverpool’s best fantasy asset all campaign and will be central to their attacking play. Virgil van Dijk (€6.2m, 67 pts, 41% ownership) offers both clean sheet potential and set-piece threat.
Mohamed Salah (€10.4m) has just 32 points this season, so he’s far from a must-have despite the narrative. Florian Wirtz (€9.0m, 37 pts, 3% ownership) is a huge differential if he features prominently. Hugo Ekitike (€8.0m, 8% ownership) could lead the line and will want to impress on the big stage.
For Galatasaray, Victor Osimhen (€8.1m, 67 pts, form 4.5) is their talisman and could punish Liverpool on the break, even at Anfield. With Davinson Sánchez suspended, keeper Uğurcan Çakır (€5.0m, 46 pts, form 4.5) could be busy - saves points might compensate for likely goals conceded.
💡 Tip: Galatasaray lost Sánchez to suspension and Liverpool are at home. Expect Liverpool to dominate possession. Szoboszlai and Van Dijk are near-essential for Day 2.
The Full Day 2 Absence List
🚨 Definite absentees (injured/suspended):
❌ Olise (Bayern) - Suspended
❌ Kimmich (Bayern) - Suspended
❌ Neuer (Bayern) - Injured
❌ Ulreich (Bayern) - Injured
❌ Davies (Bayern) - Injured
❌ Ito (Bayern) - Injured
❌ Koundé (Barcelona) - Injured
❌ Balde (Barcelona) - Injured
❌ De Jong (Barcelona) - Injured
❌ Christensen (Barcelona) - Injured
❌ Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle) - Injured
❌ Schär (Newcastle) - Injured
❌ Oblak (Atlético) - Injured
❌ Mendoza (Atlético) - Injured
❌ Udogie (Tottenham) - Injured
❌ Kudus (Tottenham) - Injured
❌ Odobert (Tottenham) - Injured
❌ Bergvall (Tottenham) - Injured
❌ Bradley (Liverpool) - Injured
❌ Endo (Liverpool) - Injured
❌ Isak (Liverpool) - Injured
❌ Musah (Atalanta) - Suspended
❌ D. Sánchez (Galatasaray) - Suspended
⚠️ Doubtful (may start):
❓ Tonali (Newcastle) - In contention
❓ Miley (Newcastle) - In contention
❓ Willock (Newcastle) - In contention
❓ Barrios (Atlético) - In contention
❓ Drăgușin (Tottenham) - In contention
❓ Spence (Tottenham) - In contention
❓ Urbig (Bayern) - Doubtful
Key Takeaways for Your Squad
- Sell Olise if you own him. He’s suspended and won’t score. Redirect those funds to Kane, Yamal or Szoboszlai.
- Avoid Bayern goalkeepers entirely. Neuer, Ulreich and potentially Urbig are all unavailable or doubtful. This is a genuine crisis.
- Barcelona’s defence is fragile. With four defenders out, their backline is makeshift. Don’t rely on Barça clean sheets - target their attackers instead.
- Oblak’s absence opens the door for Spurs. If you’re backing a desperate Tottenham comeback, the missing keeper makes it slightly more plausible.
- Liverpool’s attack is the safest bet. Anfield, trailing 1-0, Galatasaray missing a centre-back. Szoboszlai and Van Dijk are near-essential.
We’ll update this article as more team news emerges ahead of Wednesday’s 17:45 GMT deadline. For now, plan your transfers carefully - there are landmines everywhere on Day 2.
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