UCL Fantasy 2024/25: Final Draft Team Reveal for Match Day 1 | Best Picks, Strategies and Evolution of Drafts

As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) season gets underway, I've locked in my final draft for UCL Fantasy team ahead of Match Day 1. After weeks of tinkering, analysing pre-season form, considering player rotations, and assessing group stage fixtures, this is where I’ve landed:

Let me take you through the evolution of my drafts and how I arrived at this final version.

Early Drafts: Building Around Premiums

When the game launched, like many managers, I was immediately drawn to the big names—Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Kylian Mbappé. These proven UCL performers are capable of explosive returns, but as we know, fitting multiple premium players often leaves the rest of your team unbalanced.

In my first draft, I tried to fit the aforementioned big hitters into the same squad. While the thought of having three of Europe’s most lethal forwards was exciting, it left little room for investment in midfield and defence:

Mid-Stage Drafts: Focus on Balance and Fixtures

The next phase was all about finding balance. I looked into mid-priced options who offer both quality and potential without breaking the bank while having a smattering of differentials. I also began focusing more on fixture analysis. For instance, targeting teams with favourable Match Day 1-4 fixtures became a priority. These teams are expected to start strong, and capitalizing on their early form could be key to a great start. During this phase, I also leaned into the idea of “fixture rotation,” ensuring that my squad was flexible enough to handle injuries, suspensions, or poor form:

Penultimate Draft: Getting real and finding a balance

By this stage I knew that the Match Day 1 deadline was in sight and I had to make some tough choices. The 'Ferrari Front 3' forwards had to be downsized so that I can spread the budget across the squad. While factoring in FDR I also had to ensure that I had the right balance of template players as well as upside chasing differentials. By this point the core of the team was set and it was a case of gauging xMins for one final time so that last minute tinkering could take place:

Final Draft Reminder and Strategy Moving Forward

The plan is to remain flexible and not have a long haul draft for the totality of the right league stage match days. But rather to focus on the first four Match Days for now/ Injuries, suspensions, and unexpected form can throw off the best-laid plans, so having a deep squad with rotation options is essential. I’ll also be keeping an eye on under-the-radar players who can emerge after the first couple of Match Days, so that I can adjust accordingly. As we head into Match Day 1, I’m confident this final draft has the perfect mix of star power, balance, and differential picks to get a strong start:

How’s your team looking? Let me know your thoughts and which picks you’re backing this season! Be sure to also follow my UCL Fantasy 24/25 season on YouTube. Also be sure to enter my UCL Fantasy mini-league. Further details can be found here.