Dive into the Drama of Champions League Matchday 5: Line-Ups That Could Shake Your Fantasy Squad!
Hey there, Fantasy Football enthusiasts! Imagine the thrill of predicting the perfect starting eleven for your team, only to have it flipped by an unexpected injury or suspension. That's the heart-pounding reality of UEFA Champions League Matchday 5, where every lineup decision can turn your fantasy dreams into glory or heartache. But here's where it gets controversial: Are managers playing it safe with these selections, or are they risking it all for a bold statement? Stick around as we break down the projected starting line-ups, injury updates, and booking warnings for all the league phase clashes. And this is the part most people miss – these details aren't just stats; they're your edge in dominating the competition. Let's gear up and get you prepped!
For those new to Fantasy Football, remember: A 'starting line-up' is the eleven players a coach selects to begin the match, based on form, fitness, and strategy. We draw from reliable sources to forecast these, but football is unpredictable – always double-check closer to kick-off. We've also flagged players who are 'out' (injured or suspended and unavailable), 'doubtful' (might play but with risks), and those who 'miss the next match if booked' (yellow card accumulations leading to suspensions). This helps you pivot your team selections wisely. For example, if a star striker is doubtful due to a minor strain, you might bench them to avoid a zero-point game.
- Matchday 4: Starting 11s (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/029f-1f1d46010ff6-f8751ddb5002-1000--champions-league-matchday-4-starting-line-ups/)
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Tuesday 25 November
Ajax vs Benfica (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045978--ajax-vs-benfica/)
Ajax looks set to field: Pasveer in goal; Alders, Šutalo, Baas, and Wijndal in defense; Taylor and Regeer in midfield; Edvardsen, Gloukh, and Godts in attack; with Weghorst leading up front.
Out: Berghuis (groin injury), Van den Boomen (back issue).
Doubtful: Gaaei (unspecified ailment), Lucas Rosa (ankle problem).
Misses next match if booked: Gaaei.
Benfica's anticipated lineup: Trubin between the sticks; Dedić, António Silva, Otamendi, and Dahl at the back; Barrenechea and Ríos in the engine room; Aursnes, Barreiro, and Sudakov in the wings; Pavlidis up top.
Out: Bah (knee), Bruma (Achilles), Lukébakio (Achilles).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Lukébakio, Otamendi.
Galatasaray vs Union Saint-Gilloise (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045983--galatasaray-vs-union-sg/)
Galatasaray's projected eleven: Uğurcan Çakır in nets; Jakobs, Sánchez, Abdülkerim Bardakçı, and Sallai defending; Torreira and Gabriel Sara controlling midfield; Sané, Gündoğan, and Barış Alper Yılmaz creating; Icardi striking.
Out: Singo (thigh), Yunus Akgün (groin hernia).
Doubtful: Lemina (unspecified), Kaan Ayhan (groin), Berkan Kutlu (unknown), Osimhen (thigh strain).
Misses next match if booked: Jakobs.
Union Saint-Gilloise might line up with: Scherpen guarding the goal; Mac Allister, Burgess, and Sykes in central defense; Khalaili, Zorgane, Schoofs, and Van de Perre across midfield; Patris supporting; Rodriguez and David in attack.
Out: Leysen (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Mac Allister, Van De Perre.
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045977--b-dortmund-vs-villarreal/)
Borussia Dortmund's expected starting team: Kobel in goal; Anton, Can, and Schlotterbeck in defense; Ryerson, Sabitzer, Gross, and Svensson in midfield; Adeyemi and Beier on the flanks; Guirassy upfront.
Out: Süle (toe injury).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None. But here's a thought-provoking twist: With no booking worries, is Dortmund pressing too hard without the safety net?
Villarreal's lineup could feature: Luiz Júnior in goal; Mouriño, Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga, and Cardona at the back; Pepé, Gueye, Partey, and Moleiro in midfield; Gerard Moreno and Mikautadze leading the attack.
Out: Kambwala (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Gueye, Mouriño, Renato Veiga.
Chelsea vs Barcelona (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045976--chelsea-vs-barcelona/)
Chelsea's predicted eleven: Sánchez in goal; James, Adarabioyo, Chalobah, and Cucurella defending; Caicedo and Fernández in midfield; Neto, João Pedro, and Garnacho attacking; Delap up top.
Out: Colwill (knee), Lavia (thigh), Palmer (toe).
Doubtful: Fofana (unspecified).
Misses next match if booked: Andrey Santos.
Barcelona's anticipated team: Joan García in goal; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, and Martín at the back; Olmo and De Jong in midfield; Yamal, Fermín López, and Ferran Torres creating chances; Lewandowski scoring.
Out: Gavi (knee), Pedri (hamstring), Ter Stegen (back).
Doubtful: Balde (unspecified).
Misses next match if booked: Casadó, De Jong, Fermín López, Yamal. And this is the part most people miss – Barcelona's injury woes could force them into a more cautious style, sparking debates on whether star power outweighs depth.
Bodø/Glimt vs Juventus (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045981--bodo-glimt-vs-juventus/)
Bodø/Glimt's projected lineup: Haikin in goal; Sjøvold, Bjørtuft, Aleesami, and Bjørkan in defense; Evjen, Berg, and Brunstad Fet in midfield; Auklend, Høgh, and Hauge in attack.
Out: Brynhildsen (knee), Gundersen (suspended).
Doubtful: Hauge (illness).
Misses next match if booked: Auklend, Berg.
Juventus might start with: Di Gregorio in goal; Kalulu, Kelly, and Koopmeiners defending; Cambiaso, Locatelli, Thuram, and Kostić in midfield; McKennie and Kenan Yıldız supporting; Vlahović striking.
Out: Bremer (meniscus), Pinsoglio (shin), Rugani (muscular).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Cambiaso.
Manchester City vs Leverkusen (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045975--man-city-vs-leverkusen/)
Manchester City's expected team: Donnarumma in goal; Matheus Nunes, Stones, Gvardiol, and Aït-Nouri at the back; Nico González in midfield; Cherki, Reijnders, Foden, and Doku attacking; Haaland up front.
Out: Kovačić (heel).
Doubtful: Rodri (fitness).
Misses next match if booked: Bernardo Silva, Savinho.
Leverkusen's lineup could include: Flekken in goal; Quansah, Badé, and Belocian defending; Arthur, Maza, García, and Grimaldo in midfield; Tillman, Schick, and Poku up front.
Out: Andrich (suspended), Fernández (knee), Tapsoba (suspended).
Doubtful: Lucas Vázquez (muscular).
Misses next match if booked: None.
Marseille vs Newcastle United (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045982--marseille-vs-newcastle/)
Marseille's predicted starting eleven: Rulli in goal; Weah, Pavard, Balerdi, and Emerson in defense; Højbjerg, O’Riley, and Vermeeren in midfield; Greenwood, Aubameyang, and Paixão attacking.
Out: Aguerd (groin), Gouiri (shoulder), Murillo (thigh), Traorè (thigh).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Aguerd, Pavard.
Newcastle United's anticipated team: Pope in goal; Livramento, Thiaw, Botman, and Burn at the back; Bruno Guimarães, Tonali, and Joelinton in midfield; Murphy, Woltemade, and Barnes up front.
Out: Wissa (knee), Osula (ankle).
Doubtful: Gordon (hip), Trippier (hamstring).
Misses next match if booked: Joelinton.
Slavia Praha vs Athletic Club (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045980--slavia-praha-vs-athletic-club/)
Slavia Praha's projected lineup: Staněk in goal; Vlček, Zima, and Chaloupek defending; Douděra, Zafeiris, Sadílek, and Mbodji in midfield; Provod, Chorý, and Kušej attacking.
Out: Dorley (unspecified).
Doubtful: Zafeiris (illness).
Misses next match if booked: Mbodji.
Athletic Club's expected team: Unai Simón in goal; Gorosabel, Vivian, Paredes, and Berchiche at the back; Jauregizar and Vesga in midfield; Berenguer, Sancet, and Nico Williams on the wings; Guruzeta up top.
Out: Iñaki Williams (thigh), Sannadi (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Paredes.
Napoli vs Qarabağ (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045979--napoli-vs-qarabag/)
Napoli's anticipated eleven: Milinkovic-Savic in goal; Beukema, Rrahmani, and Buongiorno defending; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, and Gutiérrez in midfield; Neres, Højlund, and Lang attacking.
Out: Anguissa (thigh), De Bruyne (thigh), Gilmour (muscular).
Doubtful: Spinazzola (muscular).
Misses next match if booked: None.
Qarabağ's projected lineup: Kochalski in goal; Silva, Mustafazade, Medina, and Jafarguliyev at the back; Bicalho and Jankovic in midfield; Leandro Andrade, Zoubir, and Addai supporting; Duran up front.
Out: None.
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Silva.
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Wednesday 26 November
Copenhagen vs Kairat Almaty (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045991--copenhagen-vs-kairat-almaty/)
Copenhagen's expected team: Kotarski in goal; Suzuki, Gabriel Pereira, Hatzidiakos, and Lopez defending; Larsson, Lerager, Madsen, and Robert in midfield; Cornelius and Elyounoussi attacking.
Out: Delaney (knee), Højer (unspecified), Mattsson (ankle), Meling (unspecified).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Lerager, Lopez.
Kairat Almaty's projected lineup: Anarbekov in goal; Mrynskiy, Martynovich, Sorokin, and Mata at the back; Gromyko, Arad, Glazer, and Satpayev in midfield; Edmilson and Jorginho up front.
Out: None.
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Arad, Jorginho, Satpayev.
Pafos vs Monaco (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045992--pafos-vs-monaco/)
Pafos's anticipated eleven: Michael in goal; Sema, Luckassen, David Luiz, Goldar, and Bruno defending; Pêpê and Šunjić in midfield; Quina and Oršić on the flanks; Dragomir striking.
Out: João Correia (suspended).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
Monaco's expected team: Hrádecký in goal; Kehrer, Salisu, and Caio Henrique at the back; Minamino, Teze, Coulibaly, and Ouattara in midfield; Akliouche, Golovin, and Balogun attacking.
Out: Dier (muscular), Mawissa (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
Arsenal vs Bayern München (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045986--arsenal-vs-bayern-munchen/)
Arsenal's projected lineup: Raya in goal; Timber, Saliba, Hincapié, and Calafiori defending; Zubimendi, Rice, and Eze in midfield; Saka, Merino, and Trossard up front.
Out: Gabriel (thigh), Havertz (knee).
Doubtful: Gyökeres (hamstring), Ødegaard (knee).
Misses next match if booked: Rice.
Bayern München's anticipated team: Neuer in goal; Laimer, Upamecano, Tah, and Stanišić at the back; Kimmich and Pavlović in midfield; Karl, Olise, and Gnabry creating; Kane striking.
Out: Davies (knee), Díaz (suspended), Musiala (ankle).
Doubtful: Gnabry (knee).
Misses next match if booked: None. But here's where it gets controversial: Bayern's reliance on a makeshift defense – is it a genius gamble or a recipe for disaster?
Atlético de Madrid vs Inter (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045987--atleti-vs-inter/)
Atlético de Madrid's expected eleven: Musso in goal; Molina, Giménez, Hancko, and Ruggeri defending; Simeone in midfield; Barrios, Koke, and González attacking; Sorløth and Alvarez up top.
Out: Le Normand (knee).
Doubtful: Llorente (knee), Oblak (unspecified).
Misses next match if booked: Le Normand, Lenglet.
Inter's projected team: Sommer in goal; Akanji, Acerbi, and Bastoni at the back; Augusto, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Zieliński, and Dimarco in midfield; Martínez and Thuram striking.
Out: Darmian (calf), Dumfries (ankle), Mkhitaryan (thigh).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
Frankfurt vs Atalanta (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045988--frankfurt-vs-atalanta/)
Frankfurt's anticipated lineup: Zetterer in goal; Brown, Theate, Koch, and Collins defending; Knauff, Chaïbi, Dahoud, Götze, and Doan in midfield; Burkardt up front.
Out: Højlund (muscular), Larsson (muscular), Uzun (muscular).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
Atalanta's expected team: Carnesecchi in goal; Djimsiti, Hien, and Ahanor at the back; Zappacosta, de Roon, Pašalić, Éderson, and Bellanova in midfield; Lookman and De Ketelaere attacking.
Out: None.
Doubtful: Scalvini (adductor).
Misses next match if booked: De Roon, Musah.
Liverpool vs PSV Eindhoven (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045985--liverpool-vs-psv/)
Liverpool's projected eleven: Alisson Becker in goal; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, and Kerkez defending; Jones, Gravenberch, and Mac Allister in midfield; Salah, Ekitiké, and Gakpo up front.
Out: Frimpong (hamstring), Bradley (muscular).
Doubtful: Wirtz (muscular).
Misses next match if booked: Bradley.
PSV Eindhoven's anticipated team: Kovář in goal; Dest, Schouten, Gasiorowski, and Salah-Eddine at the back; Mauro Júnior and Veerman in midfield; Man, Saibari, and Perišić supporting; Til striking.
Out: Van Bommel (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Saibari.
Olympiacos vs Real Madrid (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045990--olympiacos-vs-real-madrid/)
Olympiacos's expected lineup: Tzolakis in goal; Rodinei, Retsos, Pirola, and Ortega defending; Hezze and Dani García in midfield; Gelson Martins, Chiquinho, and Podence creating; El Kaabi up front.
Out: None.
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Dani García.
Real Madrid's projected team: Courtois in goal; Alexander-Arnold, Raúl Asencio, Huijsen, and Carreras at the back; Camavinga, Valverde, and Bellingham in midfield; Arda Güler, Vinícius Júnior, and Mbappé attacking.
Out: Dani Carvajal (knee), Éder Militão (muscle), Mastantuono (pubic bone).
Doubtful: Rüdiger (hamstring), Alaba (muscular), Tchouaméni (hamstring).
Misses next match if booked: Carreras.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Tottenham (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045984--paris-vs-tottenham/)
Paris Saint-Germain's anticipated eleven: Chevalier in goal; Zaïre-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes defending; João Neves, Vitinha, and Fabián Ruiz in midfield; Kvaratskhelia, Mayulu, and Barcola up front.
Out: Doué (hamstring), Hakimi (ankle).
Doubtful: Dembélé (calf).
Misses next match if booked: Nuno Mendes.
Tottenham's projected team: Vicario in goal; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Spence at the back; Sarr, João Palhinha, and Bentancur in midfield; Kudus, Richarlison, and Simons attacking.
Out: Davies (hamstring), Johnson (suspended), Solanke (ankle).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Kolo Muani, Richarlison, Van de Ven.
Sporting CP vs Club Brugge (https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/match/2045989--sporting-cp-vs-club-brugge/)
Sporting CP's expected lineup: Rui Silva in goal; Fresneda, Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, and Araújo defending; João Simões and Hjulmand in midfield; Geovany Quenda, Francisco Trincão, and Catamo supporting; Suárez up top.
Out: Daniel Bragança (knee), Debast (knee), Pedro Gonçalves (muscular), Ioannidis (knee), Nuno Santos (knee).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: Araújo, Pedro Gonçalves. And this is the part most people miss – Sporting's heavy losses to injuries might force creative substitutions, but does that make them more unpredictable or just vulnerable?
Club Brugge's projected team: Jackers in goal; Sabbe, Ordoñez, Mechele, and Seys at the back; Onyedika, Stanković, and Vanaken in midfield; Carlos Forbs, Tresoldi, and Tzolis attacking.
Out: Meijer (adductor), Mignolet (fibula), Reis (shoulder).
Doubtful: None.
Misses next match if booked: None.
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What do you think, fellow fans? Do you agree with these line-up predictions, or do you have a controversial take on a manager's decisions? Share your thoughts in the comments – maybe we can spark a debate on the toughest match-ups this week! Remember, football's beauty lies in its surprises, so stay tuned and enjoy the games.
