The Champions League returns with a quarter-final line-up that looks as much like a Fantasy Football minefield as it does a route to glory. Big names, bold systems, and a few injury landmines lie in wait across four heavyweight ties.
Here’s how the teams are expected to line up – and where the key selection battles will be fought.
Paris vs Liverpool
Wednesday 8 April
A clash of attacking ideologies in Paris, with both coaches likely to lean into their strengths rather than hide from them.
Paris are set to trust Matvei Safonov in goal, shielded by an adventurous back four of Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho and Nuno Mendes. That’s pace and aggression on both flanks, with two centre-backs who are comfortable defending high.
In midfield, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha and João Neves offer balance: energy, control and bite in equal measure. Ahead of them, Paris load up on creativity and chaos. Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé are expected to flank Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in a fluid front three that can all drift, all carry the ball, and all hurt you from distance.
Bradley Barcola misses out with an ankle problem, while Mayulu (calf) and Fabián Ruiz (knee) are doubtful. For Fantasy managers, a yellow card for Kvaratskhelia or Nuno Mendes would rule them out of the second leg – a risk with two of Paris’ most explosive outlets.
Liverpool arrive with a fresh twist to their usual structure. Giorgi Mamardashvili is tipped to start in goal, with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. Frimpong and Kerkez scream attacking full-backs, which hints at a front-foot approach even away from home.
The midfield looks packed with technicians and runners: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, with Florian Wirtz expected to push on from midfield into advanced pockets. Ahead of them, Mohamed Salah lines up alongside Hugo Ekitiké, a pairing that mixes elite finishing with youthful movement.
Alisson Becker (hamstring), Conor Bradley (knee) and Wataru Endo (foot) are ruled out. Isak is a doubt with a leg issue. From a disciplinary angle, Bradley, Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Van Dijk all miss the next match if booked – a significant note for those banking on Liverpool’s spine over two legs.
Barcelona vs Atleti
Wednesday 8 April
At the other end of Spain, Barcelona and Atleti are set for a tactical chess match dressed up as a quarter-final.
Barcelona are expected to go with Joan García in goal, protected by a youthful but ambitious back line: Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín and João Cancelo. It’s a group that can all play, but will be tested physically and aerially by Atleti’s direct surges.
In midfield, Dani Olmo and Pedri offer guile and control, the kind of pairing that can slow a game down or speed it up with a single touch. Ahead of them, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López and Marcus Rashford support Robert Lewandowski. That quartet brings a mix of raw pace, intelligent movement and penalty-box instinct.
Bernal (ankle), Andreas Christensen (knee), Frenkie de Jong (match fitness) and Raphinha (hamstring) are all out. Casadó, Fermín López, Gerard Martín and Yamal are a booking away from suspension, a delicate balance for a young core on a big stage.
Atleti respond with a side that looks built for transitions and set pieces. Juan Musso is due to start in goal, with Marcos Llorente, José María Giménez, Dávid Hancko and Matteo Ruggeri across the back. Llorente’s presence at full-back underlines Atleti’s plan to break quickly from deep.
Koke and Álex Baena form the midfield base, tasked with disrupting Barcelona’s rhythm and launching counters. Ahead of them, Giuliano Simeone, Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman support Julián Álvarez, a front four that can press, run and finish from almost any angle.
Atleti are without Pablo Barrios (thigh), Cardoso (adductor), Mendoza (ankle) and Jan Oblak (muscular). Pubill is doubtful with match fitness concerns. The disciplinary tightrope is crowded: Almada, Barrios, Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Llorente, Pubill, Ruggeri and Simeone will all miss the next match if they see yellow – a serious constraint on Atleti’s aggression.
Real Madrid vs Bayern München
Tuesday 7 April
Two giants, one tie that could define the season.
Real Madrid are expected to line up with Andriy Lunin in goal. Ahead of him, a fascinating back four: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Dean Huijsen and Carreras. It’s a blend of elite passing, aerial dominance and youthful risk, especially if Alexander-Arnold steps into midfield zones in possession.
The midfield three of Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Pitarch brings power and control. They will have to cover huge spaces if Madrid’s full-backs push on. In attack, Arda Güler joins Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior – a trio that can unpick a low block or shred a high line in seconds.
Bayern answer with experience and firepower. Manuel Neuer starts in goal, with Josip Stanišić, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah and Konrad Laimer across the back. Laimer’s inclusion at full-back hints at a compact, combative shape designed to funnel Madrid inside.
Joshua Kimmich and Pavlović anchor the midfield, setting the platform for an aggressive front four: Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Luis Díaz and Harry Kane. Width, pace, one-v-one ability and a ruthless finisher through the middle – it’s everything you’d expect from a Bayern side built for knockout football.
Sporting CP vs Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April
In Lisbon, Sporting CP and Arsenal offer a more modern, tactical duel – but one just as rich in Fantasy potential.
Sporting CP are set to start Rui Silva in goal. In front of him, a back four of Iván Fresneda, Ousmane Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio and Araújo. It’s a technically gifted unit, comfortable playing out from the back and stepping into midfield.
João Simões and Hidemasa Morita form the midfield pair, the engine room that must both protect and create. Ahead of them, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves support Suárez up front, a shape that leans heavily on movement between the lines and late runs into the box.
Arsenal respond with a side packed with control and vertical threat. David Raya starts in goal, with Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori in defence – a back four that has both ball progression and defensive steel.
Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi and Declan Rice form a midfield that can dominate possession or spring counters with one pass. Ahead of them, Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyökeres and Leandro Trossard offer width, power and craft. It’s an attacking trio capable of stretching Sporting’s back line in every direction.
The quarter-finals promise fine margins and big Fantasy swings. With suspensions looming, injuries biting and coaches leaning into bold selections, every choice in these predicted XIs carries weight. One wrong move in your team, and the week could slip away; one inspired pick, and you’re suddenly in contention for the top.
