Why Dream Team managers should already be planning for European quarter-finals

MANY Dream Team managers prefer to live Gameweek by Gameweek but the best gaffers are able to plan ahead.

Two weekly transfers allows for plenty of flexibility but it’s still wise to consider the broader picture when devising a strategy.

In fact, it’s probably worth having one eye on the European quarter-finals as early as this week.

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Manchester City and Arsenal have already booked their places in the Champions League last eight while Liverpool are all but assured of a spot in the next stage of the Europa League having won their round of 16 first leg 5-1 against Sparta Prague.

Brighton will need a miracle to join the Reds in the quarter-finals having lost 4-0 to Roma in their first leg.

West Ham’s continental campaign hangs in the balance following their 1-0 defeat to Freiburg in Germany.

And the same is true for Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League after their 0-0 stalemate with Ajax in Amsterdam.

All the remaining relevant ties will be settled on Thursday night one way or the other, with the draw for the quarter-finals of all three European competitions set to take place on Friday.

This means Dream Team bosses will have a good read on the upcoming schedule before the Gameweek 28 deadline (11:15am on Saturday).

The first legs of the Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League quarter-final first legs will take place in Gameweek 30, with the second legs following in Gameweek 31.

Immediately, Pep Guardiola’s side catch the eye as they face Crystal Palace (GW30) and Luton (GW31) before each of their European legs – a favourable draw would create two appealing double headers.

Dream Team gaffers should be cheering on the Hammers on Thursday night as the likes of Jarrod Bowen (£4.9m) and Mohammed Kudus (£4.8m) would be well placed to provide healthy returns across the next month if they are able to get past Freiburg.

David Moyes’ side travel to Wolves in Gameweek 30 before hosting Fulham in Gameweek 31 – a relatively friendly Europa League quarter-final draw on top would look awfully tempting on paper.

Arsenal assets are dropping in popularity ahead of their blank in Gameweek 28 but many gaffers will revert to Mikel Arteta’s favourites from Gameweek 30 when they face Brighton and a to-be-decided Champions League opponent.

William Saliba (£3.3m), Ben White (£3.7m) and Gabriel (£4m) are all among the top seven defenders in the game after the Gunners’ clean sheet against Porto.

Bukayo Saka (£5.8m) is second only to Phil Foden (£5.9m) in the overall rankings while Martin Odegaard (£4.3m) has been in great form of late.

It should go without saying that it’s an excellent time to back Liverpool players.

The Reds remain active in the FA Cup and their Gameweek 29 double header is one to target when both Brigton and Sheffield United will visit Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s troops will then face Manchester United in Gameweek 30 and Crystal Palace in Gameweek 31 around their Europa League quarter-final legs (barring a unthinkable turnaround from Sparta Prague).

Smart gaffers will already be thinking of how their XI will shape up in Gameweek 30 in time to capitalise on the European quarter-finals.

Those without suitable foresight risk getting caught short at a crucial juncture.

All eyes on Thursday night’s results and the Friday draws – fingers crossed West Ham and Aston Villa pull through.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk