NMA - UCL MD-3 player selection

The EPL campaign has barely been completed before the third round of the UEFA Champions League begins. Fantasy managers must therefore quickly concentrate on optimizing their tasks UCL fantasy Squads. Here are some of the top performing assets for all positions. Key statistics and form analysis help you make the smartest decisions.

goalkeeper

Emiliano Martínez (€5.0m) – Aston Villa

Martínez has been an outstanding player this Champions League season, keeping two clean sheets in his two games so far. His impressive eight-point performance in Villa's win over Bayern Munich, in which he made seven saves, highlights his form. Villa host minor opponents Bologna on Tuesday, so Martínez's solid defensive record makes him a good bet to keep a clean sheet.

Marco Bizot (€4.5m) – Brest

Bizot may not be the first name on every manager's list, but his tally of 14 points from the first two matchdays puts him on our radar. He was instrumental in Brest's 4-0 win at RB Salzburg, making six saves and conceding one goal. Bizot offers excellent value for money ahead of its Wednesday game against Leverkusen, making it a strong budget option.

defender

Nicolás Otamendi (€5.0m) – Benfica

More than just a clean sheet draw, Otamendi is a star of previous UCL seasons. In his last five club appearances he contributed one goal and two assists, and in the Champions League he has so far won the ball 13 times. Hosting Feyenoord, Otamendi offers scoring potential both defensively and offensively, making him a prime option.

Jeremie Frimpong (€5.6m) – Bayer Leverkusen

Frimpong's attacking prowess was evident, with three assists already this season. Leverkusen's game against Brest offers the full-back another opportunity to score points through both his defensive contributions and his offensive commitment. Bonus: He delivered 12 and 8 despite being part of Editor Jeff's squad, a testament to his magic.

William Saliba (€5.5m) – Arsenal

Arsenal's home game against Shakhtar Donetsk offers a good chance of a clean sheet and Saliba has performed consistently in defence. His good play and ability to win balls back make him a valuable addition. Note: His EPL red card has no impact on his UCL eligibility, except perhaps to allow him to focus more on his European games during his home suspension.

Alexander Bah (€5.0m) – Benfica

Another Benfica player to consider, Bah delivered a 15-point performance against Atlético Madrid, scoring goals and making a key defensive contribution with ten ball recoveries. Against Feyenoord, Bah is a main candidate who can score points in several ways.

midfielder

Karim Adeyemi (€7.0 million) – Dortmund

After his sensational hat-trick in Dortmund's 7-1 win against Celtic, Adeyemi is the standout player on the way to MD-3. With 23 fantasy points in MD-2, Adeyemi is in top form and remains an exciting choice despite the encounter with Real Madrid due to his attacking performance.

Phil Foden (€9.0m) – Man City

Foden's consistency for City continues to shine with a goal, an assist and a player of the match performance in his last appearance. City host Sparta Prague and given Foden's form he is an important midfielder to consider as Pep Guardiola's side look to dominate.

Leandro Trossard (€7.5m) – Arsenal

Trossard has been a standout performer for Arsenal this season and with a favorable home game against Shakhtar Donetsk, he is a tempting choice. His ability to operate in multiple attacking positions, coupled with his talent for scoring crucial goals, make Trossard a great midfield option.

Jerdy Schouten (€5.5m) – PSV Eindhoven

Schouten was a ball-recovery machine with 17 balls 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 a challenge, but Schouten's defensive and attacking contributions make him a valuable differential.

Mo Salah (€10.0m) – Liverpool

Salah's consistent dividends make him an easy pick despite his high price tag, and now he's visiting RB Leipzig. In his last UCL game he scored a goal, an assist and was player of the match. In addition, he scored goals and assists against Chelsea at the weekend, so Salah has the potential to provide both goals and assists anytime, anywhere.

Forward

Robert Lewandowski (€9.5m) – Barcelona

Lewandowski's prolific goal haul continues, with ten goals in his last six games for Barcelona. Lewandowski hosts his former (and possibly distraught) club Bayern Munich and will be motivated to prove his mettle. Even though he suffered a setback in the international match against Poland, he remains a prime striker option.

Mehdi Taremi (€7.0 million) – Inter Milan

Taremi is another striker in top form, scoring a goal and providing two assists in Inter's last game against Crvena Zvezda. Inter face Young Boys next and with Taremi's attacking involvement he is a mid-range option that can deliver significant points.

Mateo Retegui (€5.5m) – Atalanta

Retegui may not have impressed in the Champions League so far, but his domestic form tells a different story. Retegui, Serie A's joint top scorer, has a hat-trick and is therefore an excellent choice for Atalanta's game against Celtic. His form could lead to UCL success at any time, making him a risk worth taking.

With a mix of players in top form and others benefiting from favorable matchups, these tips aim to give you the best chance of racking up points in MD-3. Whether it's premium picks or differential options, now is the time to finalize your roster before the upcoming deadline.

So what gaps do you need to fill? Do these tips help you? Who else are you watching? What questions do you have for the NMA staff? We're a bunch of lonely fantasy football geeks with no one to talk to, so please chime in and join us in the comments!