R16 Leg 2 Injury & Availability Update - Every

Arsenal face a genuine selection headache heading into Tuesday’s decisive second leg. Jurrien Timber picked up an unspecified ankle injury early in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Everton, trying to play through it before being substituted in the 37th minute. Mikel Arteta did not provide a post-match update, leaving Timber’s status highly uncertain for Tuesday.

Martin Ødegaard has been battling a recurring knee issue and missed both the first leg and the Everton match. He remains a major doubt - if you still own him in UCL Fantasy, it’s time to move on. Leandro Trossard suffered a knock against Mansfield in the FA Cup and sat out the first leg; he’s returned to training but remains a minor doubt. Mikel Merino is a long-term absentee following foot surgery - he won’t feature again until late in the season.

The positive for Arsenal: William Saliba is fit to start, and Kai Havertz - who rescued the first leg with a last-gasp penalty - is fully available.

Leverkusen have their own concerns. Arthur, Loic Badé, and Lucas Alario were all absent from the first leg and remain sidelined. However, Xabi Alonso’s side drew 1-1 with nine-man Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, suggesting their depth players can compete at the highest level.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: If Timber misses out, Arsenal’s clean sheet chances drop. Saliba becomes the only premium defensive option. Havertz (FWD, captaincy contender) and Saka remain safe picks. Monitor the press conference on Monday evening for final updates.

Real Madrid travel to Manchester with a commanding 3-0 first-leg advantage but a decimated squad. The injury list is staggering:

With six players confirmed out and two more doubtful, Real Madrid will likely field a heavily rotated side given their 3-0 cushion. Trent Alexander-Arnold should continue at right-back, while the attacking burden falls on Vinícius Jr and Endrick.

Man City are in better shape fitness-wise. Mateo Kovaçić has returned to first-team training after a three-to-four month absence. However, needing to overturn a 3-0 deficit, Pep Guardiola will throw everything forward - making City attackers intriguing UCL Fantasy picks if they chase the game desperately.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: Avoid Real Madrid assets entirely - heavy rotation likely with the tie all but sealed. If you’re feeling brave, City attackers could rack up points in a must-score scenario, but clean sheet potential is low on both sides. This is largely a dead rubber for Fantasy purposes.

Chelsea need to overturn a three-goal deficit after their 5-2 first-leg collapse in Paris. The injury news isn’t encouraging:

Liam Rosenior hinted that Estevão is unlikely to return for this fixture. Chelsea also lost 1-0 to Newcastle at the weekend, so confidence is fragile.

PSG will be without Fabian Ruiz and Quentin Ndjantou due to injuries. Ousmane Dembélé was spotted limping after the first leg but has since returned to training and is expected to feature. The defending champions can afford to manage the game from a position of immense comfort.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: Another effective dead rubber. PSG will likely manage the game conservatively with a three-goal cushion. Chelsea will attack, but their recent form (one goal in their last two matches) doesn’t inspire confidence. Avoid both sides unless you’re on Limitless and chasing differentials.

The biggest shock of the first leg - Bodø/Glimt’s stunning 3-0 home victory - means Sporting face an enormous task in Lisbon. Information on Sporting’s squad is limited from English-language sources, but they are expected to field their strongest available XI in a must-win scenario.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: Sporting need goals, so their attackers are in play on Limitless squads. Bodø’s defence was superb in the first leg but is unlikely to hold out entirely at the José Alvalade. This is a low-priority fixture for most managers.

Liverpool have a significant injury concern in goal. Alisson Becker missed the first leg in Istanbul after feeling something in one of his muscles during a training session. Arne Slot said on 13 March: “It was so minor that we think it doesn’t have to take very long… hopefully he’s available. If not, I’m expecting him definitely against Galatasaray [at Anfield].”

The broader injury list is extensive:

Federico Chiesa missed the trip to Istanbul through illness but is expected to train and be available for Wednesday. The key question is Alisson - if he starts, Liverpool’s clean sheet probability at Anfield rises considerably.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: Liverpool trail 1-0 and play at Anfield - this is the most fantasy-relevant fixture of the week. Slot will go strong. Mohamed Salah is the standout captain option if you’re playing Day 2. Alisson’s return would boost Liverpool’s defensive assets (Robertson, Van Dijk). Monitor Tuesday’s press conference closely.

Barcelona host Newcastle with the tie delicately poised at 1-1. Hansi Flick’s side are expected to have a largely fit squad for this fixture, with their key attackers - Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Robert Lewandowski - all available.

Newcastle arrived at St James’ Park with a creditable 1-1 draw but now face the daunting task of getting a result at Camp Nou. Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães will need to step up to lead the attacking threat at Camp Nou.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: This is the other genuinely competitive Day 2 tie. Barcelona at Camp Nou are strong favourites. Raphinha and Yamal are premium attacking picks, while Lewandowski offers captaincy potential. Newcastle’s defence will be under siege - avoid their backline.

Spurs were torn apart 5-2 in Madrid in one of the most chaotic first legs in recent memory. Trailing by three goals, Ange Postecoglou’s side face another near-impossible comeback task.

Atlético can afford to rotate given their comfortable lead. Matteo Ruggeri was a standout in the first leg and should feature again, while Antoine Griezmann remains their creative heartbeat.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: A likely dead rubber with Atlético in cruise control. Spurs will attack in desperation, which could produce goals, but the tie is effectively over. Low priority for Fantasy managers unless you specifically need differential points from this match.

Bayern’s 6-1 demolition in Bergamo means this tie is done and dusted. The bigger story is Bayern’s ongoing goalkeeper crisis. As we reported yesterday, all of Bayern’s senior goalkeepers are reportedly injured, meaning a youth-team keeper could start at the Allianz Arena.

With such a commanding lead, Vincent Kompany will almost certainly rotate heavily. Key assets like Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane may start on the bench or play reduced minutes.

💡 UCL Fantasy impact: Avoid Bayern assets completely. Heavy rotation is guaranteed with a five-goal cushion. Even if Kane or Musiala start, they’re unlikely to play the full 60+ minutes needed for clean sheet points (for defenders/GK) or meaningful attacking returns. This is a dead rubber.

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