The Champions League is back this week for the first lot of round of 16 second legs. Over the next couple of days, we will learn the first four quarter-finalists of this year's competition with some teams in a better position than others heading into their respective second legs.
Across the first round of fixtures, several players put in impressive performances which resulted in high Champions League match ratings. These players are typically those to keep an eye on if you are planning on looking at any UCL in-play betting this week. Based on what has come before, who are the top four players to keep an eye on this week and what in-play markets are they most suited to? Let's take a look.
Champions League match ratings: Top performers and in-play markets
Gustav Isaksen 7.5
Denmark winger, Gustav Isaksen, was the best player on the pitch in Lazio's 1-0 win over Bayern Munich at the Stadio Olimpico three weeks ago. The 22-year-old caused problems for the Bayern Munich defence all night and was involved in everything positive that Lazio did.
His biggest contribution to the match was winning the penalty that resulted in Ciro Immobile giving Lazio the lead and putting Bayern Munich down to ten men. Isaksen also topped the charts for successful dribbles in the match for Lazio with four, which helped to ensure they were a constant threat on the counter attack all evening.
The only mark next to his name is the big chance he missed early in the second half. Isaksen timed his run to perfection but fluffed his lines when one-on-one with Manuel Neuer. While Harry Kane is the favourite in the first goalscorer stakes, Isaksen is 7/1 to score anytime in the second leg.
Kylian Mbappe 7.9
In PSG's first leg victory over Real Sociedad, Kylian Mbappe played like a man who is determined for a fairytale ending to his PSG career. The Frenchman is set to depart the club in the summer and like those who have come before him, his stint in the French capital would be deemed a failure if he doesn't win them the Champions League.
Against Real Sociedad three weeks ago, Mbappe scored after 58 minutes to get the ball rolling for the Parisians. The former Monaco man will perhaps feel he should have had more than just one goal as he had a further three shot on target – more than anyone else managed on the night.
If you're backing him to convert more of his chances on Tuesday night, Mbappe is 5/1 to score 2+ goals.
Andriy Lunin – 8.8
An injury to Thibaut Courtois at the start of the season resulted in Real Madrid bringing in Kepa Arrizabalaga to be their temporary number one but after a couple of sketchy performances, the ex-Chelsea man was replaced by Andriy Lunin in between the sticks.
Lunin has been terrific ever since he came into the team but his best performance for Los Blancos so far came in the Champions League round of 16 first leg against RB Leipzig. Lunin kept a clean sheet against the German outfit but not without being tested – he made nine saves on the night, most shots on target that Real Madrid have conceded all season.
If you believe Lunin will repeat his heroics in the second leg, then Real Madrid to keep a clean sheet is priced at 33/20.
Phil Foden 8.9
Phil Foden was the star of the show in Manchester City's first leg victory over FC Copenhagen, and in truth, he has been their star of the show all season. While Foden has never been a bad player, this season he has taken his game to a whole new level and almost carried the club on his shoulders during the first part of the season when Kevin de Bruyne was injured.
In total, Foden is on 18 goals and ten assists this season which is comfortably his best ever return. In the first leg against Copenhagen, he got himself a goal and assist while also providing two key passes and completing three dribbles. This weekend, he scored a rocket from outside of the box against Man Utd and on Tuesday, he is 10/1 to score from outside of the box.
