UCL Fantasy MD3: Best Captains

Teams lock at 5.45pm UK time on Tuesday 20 October. Remember you can move the armband to a player who hasn't played yet, so who you captain on Tuesday matters.

1. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid, FWD, €11.0m)

RB Leipzig (H), Wednesday 21 October.

The obvious one, and for good reason. He's scored in his last four Champions League games and has 12 goals and 2 assists this season. Real Madrid have scored in their last 44 Champions League home games. Leipzig have lost their last six away from home in this competition, and they've just conceded six at Bayern.

Over half of all managers own him. If you don't captain him and he scores twice, you'll feel it.

Demon's Verdict: The safest armband of the week. Captain.

2. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, FWD, €11.0m)

Arsenal (H), Wednesday 21 October.

Three Champions League goals in two games, and he scored twice at Viking last week. He followed that with a goal and two assists in the 6-1 win over Leipzig on Saturday. With Olise suspended, even more of Bayern's attack goes through him, and he takes the penalties.

Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in both of their league phase games, so this is no easy ride. But Bayern have scored in their last 23 Champions League games, and over half of all managers own Kane.

Demon's Verdict: The safe Wednesday alternative to Mbappé. Tough fixture, elite form.

3. Ousmane Dembélé (PSG, FWD, €10.0m)

Barcelona (H), Tuesday 20 October.

On fire. He's scored in each of his last six Champions League appearances, and he had a goal and an assist in PSG's 4-2 win at Man City last week. PSG keep resting him in the league, so he arrives fresh for the big European nights.

Barcelona haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 17 Champions League games, and they're without Koundé and Eric Garcia at the back. Owned by around 15%.

Demon's Verdict: Fixture-proof form, and the best Tuesday captain on the board. If he blanks, you can still switch to Mbappé or Kane on Wednesday.

4. Donyell Malen (Roma, FWD, €6.5m)

Slovan Bratislava (H), Tuesday 20 October.

Scored twice against Real Madrid on Matchday 2, and he has 8 goals and an assist in 8 games this season. He missed Roma's league game at the weekend through suspension, so he's fresh. Slovan have lost all ten of their Champions League games.

Demon's Verdict: Owned by 8%. The cheaper Tuesday captain now Haaland is a doubt, with Mbappé or Kane as your Wednesday switch.

5. Luis Suárez (Sporting CP, FWD, €7.1m)

LASK (H), Wednesday 21 October.

Scored in both of Sporting's league phase games, takes their penalties, and has 10 goals this season. Sporting have scored in their last 20 Champions League league phase games. LASK have lost nine European away games in a row.

Demon's Verdict: The differential captain. If you're chasing, this is your man.

Not This Week: Erling Haaland

On paper, AEK at home is one of the best fixtures of the week. But Haaland picked up a knock to his foot against Ipswich on Saturday and missed City's final training session on Monday. Maresca says he could still be available, but nobody knows. You can't risk the armband on a player who might not play, and if he does, he might not last 90 minutes.

If you own him, check City's team news before the deadline. The Demon has left him out of every team this week.

Demon's Final Word

• Safe: Mbappé, Wednesday.
• Template alternative: Kane, Wednesday.
• Tuesday play: Dembélé, or Malen on a budget.
• Chasing: Suárez.
• Leave the armband off: Haaland (fitness doubt).
• The switch: captain your Tuesday pick, then move it to Mbappé or Kane if they blank. Switching turns off auto-subs and can't be undone, so be sure.

Good luck. The Demon doesn't do sympathy for a blanking captain.