La Liga returns this Friday when Unai Emery takes his Sevilla side to southern Spain where they play Malaga. As you may expect the bookies favourites to lift the title next year is Barcelona. The likes of Real Madrid, their city rivals Aletico, Sevilla and Valencia will all be hoping they will be crowned champions in May.
With the return of La Liga comes daily fantasy football and we are here to provide some La Liga fantasy football tips. Our aim is to provide you with a variety of players to consider when selecting your #DFF La Liga team on
Mondogoal. With Mondogoal hosting both Saturday and Sunday contests, we've broken our Daily Fantasy Football Tips in to both days.
Fixtures
Friday 21st August
Malaga v Sevilla
Saturday 22nd August
Espanyol v Getafe
La Coruna v Real Sociedad
Aletico Madrid v Las Palmas
Vallecano v Valencia
Sunday 23rd August
Athletico Bilbao v Barcelona
Gijon v Real Madrid
Betis v Villarreal
Levante v Celta Vigo
Monday 24th August
Granada v Eibar
(Not on Mondogoal)
Clean Sheet Potential
The bookies odds are indicating that Atletico Madrid, Espanyol, and Valencia are the three teams most likely to keep a clean sheet on Saturday whilst Real Madrid and Barcelona are the obvious favourites come Sunday with Celta Vigo coming in as third favourites to keep a clean sheet on the Sunday. You should take this into account when selecting your DFF sides for both days should it suit you financially.
Goalkeeper Tips
Saturday
Diego Simone takes pride in his sides defensive stubbornness, his hard-working gritty side take as much pleasure in keeping a clean sheet than they do scoring a mentality that has turned Atletico to a genuine La Liga contender. Simone couldn't have hand-picked a better opening day fixture in the shape of newly promoted Las Palmas who are a lot of people's tip to be relegated. Last seasons number 1
Jan Oblak (Mondogoal: 9.6m) is expected to keep his place in goal and continue his fine form of last campaign. He's the most expensive goalkeeper on Saturday but with his premium price tag will be reflected in his points haul.
Mat Ryan (Mondogoal: 8.8m) is the new boy between the sticks for Valencia and is one of the highest rated young goalkeepers in the world. The Australian joined
Los Che from Club Brugge for around £5 million and will join his Valencia squad as they travel to the capital to play Rayo Vallecano. The Madrid side didn't have the best home record last season only winning 8 games in front of their own fans. Whilst Valencia are now without Otamendi, Ryan should do enough between the sticks to pick up the points.
Espanyol play hosts to Getafe, a side who last season had the fourth worst away record in the league. That coupled with Espanyol's tight home defence makes loan signing
Francesco Bardi (Mondogoal: 5.2m) a great budget option for your side. In his home nation Italy he has a reputation of being a potential world beater but he's yet to break into the Internazionale first team. He has 37 Italy U21 caps to his name and is expected to be the number 1 ahead of the 20-year-old Pau Lopez.
Sunday
Now the odds are very low for both Real Madrid and Barcelona to keep clean sheets, but the problem is both teams have two keepers of high quality that they could rely on. Barcelona have
Claudio Bravo (Mondogoal: 10.9m) and
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Mondogoal: 9.4m) both are world-class keepers but they both looked sub par in the Spanish Super Cup against Athletic Club Bilbao who they once again face this weekend. The choice is down to Luis Enrique so if you want either keeper your best bet is to select your Sunday team when the Barcelona team is out.
The same applies for Real Madrid duo
Keylor Navas (Mondogoal: 11.8m) and
Kiki Casilla (Mondogoal: 6.2m) the news coming out from Madrid is that the former will start this weekend but there is always the chance Rafa Benitez could drop him for the new signing or possibly use him in a swap deal for David de Gea.
If it's budget keeper you're after look no further than Celta Vigo's
Sergio Alvarez (Mondogoal: 6.7m) Last season Celta conceded the least amount of goals outside of the top seven whilst Levante really struggled in front of goal. Alvarez doesn't face any serious competition and is expected to start this weekend.
Defender Tips
Saturday
Once again our daily fantasy football tips come from the capital and Atletico Madrid. The fact they play a newly promoted side at Vicente Calderon makes them very appealing. You have a handful of choices for an Atletico defender but Uruguayan
Jose Gimenez (Mondogoal: 9.8m) looks an expensive pick but a solid pick. He broke into the side towards the end of last season and his form was one of the main reasons Miranda was sold to Inter Milan. In the summer he formed a strong partnership with
Diego Godin (Mondogoal: 7.3m) who together looked a formidable partnership at the Copa America. Godin offers a cheaper route into the Atletico defence.
A much cheaper defender comes in the shape of
Alvaro Gonzalez (Mondogoal: 5.8m) the 25-year-old is highly rated and has attracted interest from Barcelona. Although he can play at right back he's more often than not used as a central defender, he played 36 games last season and scored one goal. With the leader of the defence Hector Moreno packing his bags for PSV the onus will be on Gonzalez to control the back line.
Another place to revisit is Valencia, with the departure of Otamendi a certain
Shkodran Mustafi (Mondogoal: 6.1m) will need to step up. A lot of La Liga pundits and watchers have had the German down as the more organised cultured centre back over Otamendi. After his fantastic form of last season Mustafi is now a favourite of Portuguese manager Nuno and offers great value at just 6.1m.
Sunday
First up is the expensive but rewarding
Marcelo (Mondogoal: 10.9m) there isn't much to be said that hasn't already been spoken about the Brazilian. Real Madrid love to get their wingbacks forward and Marcelo's seven assists last season are a justification of that. He brings pace, power and a pinpoint delivery but is also a very good defender who will pick up extra points for miscellaneous things such as tackles.
Next up in Celta Vigo defender
Jonny (Mondogoal: 5.9m) the fullback has come on leaps and bounds over the past couple of seasons. His development is expected to continue going into this season. The 21-year-old is yet to prove himself in the final third only collecting one assist last season but he has been very impressive during pre season and with the addition of John Guidetti upfront whose a danger in the air his deliveries could be put to good use.
Now despite being beat 5-1 by Athletic Club in the Super Cup it's hard to overlook any Barcelona defender. Our fantasy La Liga tip comes in the form of
Dani Alves (Mondogoal 11.1m) He's an incredibly talented player both going forwards and defensively. He was part of the Barcelona side who only conceded 21 leagues goals last season 10 of which came away from home. The right back is once again going to be the starter and will continue his fine form going into this year.
The final defensive tip is Villarreal's
Mario (Mondogoal 6.6m) the right back has been a mainstay at Estadio El Madrigal since 2012 racking up over 140 league games for Villarreal. Last season he contributed three goals and two assists in 34 games. Marcelino's side travel to newly promoted Real Betis a perfect opportunity for Mario to start the season with a clean sheet and perhaps an assist to his name.
Attacking Potential
Going back to bookies. They have Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Espanyol as the five favourites to score. It's also worth noting that Villarreal and Celta Vigo place joint sixth to score. If you are to follow the bookies advice it could be worth basing your attacking around these teams. The fixture list though makes doubling and possible trebling up on Real Madrid attackers a good idea if you can afford it financially of course.
Midfielder Tips
Saturday
When Atletico turn up then their playmaker
Koke (Mondogoal 9.4m) turns up. Over the past three seasons he's been a constant threat providing countless chances for the Ateltico strikers. Last season he collected 14 assists in all competitions with 10 of those coming in La Liga. He has fantastic vision and has a sixth sense to know where his teammates run will be. If you'd like a cheaper Atletico midfielder look at the veteran
Tiago (Mondogoal 7.3m) last season he scored five goals and contributed four assists. He's a very underrated player in the Atletico side and makes things tick in the middle of the park.
Sofiane Feghouli (Mondogoal 8.9m) is another alternative. A constant attacking threat the winger picked up six goals and assists last season with four goals and eight assists the previous campaign. He's a tricky winger who is selfless in his play with Dani Parejo out of the game Valencia will be looking towards Feghouli to create chances.
The wonderfully talented
Fede Cartabia (Mondogoal: 9.5m) joined Deportivo La Caruna on loan from Valencia this season after impressing in a relegated Cordoba side. Last season he scored four goals and collected five assists and was one of the positives about Cordoba. He's been descried by some parts of the Spanish press as the perfect winger a tag he will certainly want to live up to this season.
Sunday
Last start the Sunday daily fantasy football tips with Real Madrid. Last season
James Rodriquez (Mondgoal 13.7m) took firstly the World Cup then La Liga by storm. His impressive displays saw him move from Monaco to Madrid and he repaid the club tenfold. In the league he assisted 13 goals and scored 13 himself. He was used mainly as the number 10 but there is talk this season he could be pushed out onto the wing. Wherever he plays he has the ability to change the game and create a chance out of nothing.
So that's Real Madrid, how about some Catalonia loving in the shape of
Ivan Rakatic (Mondogoal: 12.4m) after his move from Sevilla to Barcelona Rakatic settled straight into the Barcelona side and justified why Luis Enrique trusted the Croatian. He's a player who has bags of technical ability and incredible vision. Last season he scored five goals and assisted seven from central midfield. A creative midfielder who can dictate the tempo of the game whilst also making an impact in the final third, an expensive choice but a rewarding one.
Rakatic will travel to Bilbao this weekend where he will come up against
Markel Susaeta (Mondogoal: 7.1m) the 27-year-old contributed seven assists last season and 12 the previous and with Barcelona looking for revenge after the Super Cup defeat Susaeta's ability on the ball will be needed to unlock Enrique's defence.
So there is a running theme of creative midfielders. Next is a man who continues that theme and with over 100 Holland caps has bags of experience it's
Rafael van der Vaart (Mondogoal: 6.2m) the former Spurs' man moved to Real Betis this summer after 3 years at Hamburger SV. The Dutchman is a wizard from set pieces and can also create chances in open play. He offers a cheap midfielder who could pick up an assist on the opening weekend.
The final midfielder is another new man this time from Celta Vigo,
Daniel Wass (Mondogoal: 6.9m) moved from Evian this summer and for those who haven't seen him much of the Dane, he's winger who has pace and a locker full of tricks. He's also got a lethal free kick on him, which is a fantastic asset to have. Last season in Ligue 1 he scored eight goals and assisted five, he was one of the few positives in a relegated Evian side.
Forward Tips
Saturday
Starting off of Saturday forward tips is
Paco Alcacer (Mondogoal: 9.2m) the striker scored 11 goals last season and is now Valencia's main man upfront. His form last season saw him break into the Spain squad going onto score four goals in six appearances. With Valencia adding to their side with plenty of new additions they look set to be a real force this year. Alcacer will benefit most from these signings with his goal scoring opportunities expected to rise.
The Atletico strikers must be licking their lips going into the weekend, especially
Antoine Griezmann (Mondogoal: 10.1m) who scored 22 goals last season the third highest in the league before Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His form attracted interest from both Chelsea and Manchester United but Simone managed to convince the Frenchman to sign a new contract. He's one of the best finishers in the league but can be selfish reducing his assist numbers.
If he doesn't tickle your fancy try the new boy for Atletico
Jackson Martinez (Mondogoal: 9.7m) the Columbian finally completed his move away from Porto where he attracted interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs. In 89 games he scored 67 goals (21 of which came last season) he's strong, powerful and a lethal finisher, which will help him adapt to Spanish football. Completing the list of Atletico strikers is
Luciano Vietto (Mondogoal 8.6m) he's the least likely of the three to start but probably the most exciting player. Last season at Villarreal he scored 12 goals before joining fellow countrymen Simone at Atletico. The 21-year-old has incredible ball control, pace and also shows fantastic maturity for a young player. It's a risk hoping he starts but it could pay off.
Last season
Jonathas (Mondogoal: 9.1m) scored 14 league goals and contributed seven assists in a side that only scored 35 goals he was involved in 21 of them. He signed for David Moyes' Real Sociedad this summer and is expected to be the starting striker when they come up against La Coruna who are not known for their outstanding defending. This gives the Brazilian striker the chance to prove himself to his new fans.
Sunday
Yep, you've guessed who starts the Sunday tips. Cristiano Ronaldo
(Mondogoal: 23.4m) and
Lionel Messi (Mondogoal 21m) there really isn't much to say about these two world-class superstars, as you know everything about them. They are both the star men in their respective sides and both are more often than not on form. With the expensive price tag that comes with their talent you really need to be tight with your money to fit them both in. If you only have room for one this weekend take Ronaldo due to his fixture against Sporting Gijon looking easier than Messi's against Athletic Club Bilbao.
Speaking of the Basque nation we move onto
Adruiz (Mondogoal: 14.7m) the strikers has already scored four goals against Barcelona this season including a hat trick in the first leg at the San Mamés Stadium. He's an experiences forward who is loved and adored by the Athletic fans. Last season he scored 18 goals and helped his side to a 7th place finish. He's expensive this week due to his form in the Super Cup but if the Basque's are to pull of an upset he will play a part in it.
Nolito (Mondogoal: 11.2m) has been touted as Barcelona's replacement for the departed Pedro, but Celta Vigo will be doing everything in their power to hold onto their star man. He shined last season for Celta scoring and assisting 13 goals. He's a very quick player who can either be used out wide or as the striker. A guaranteed starter and he faces Levante, a side Celta Vigo have beaten in their last three away ties.
Next up is veteran
Ruben Castro (Mondogoal: 10.6m) the striker has scored over 100 goals in 5 years for Betis with 32 coming last year in the Segunda Division. Now at 34 the Spaniard is probably going to have his last shot at the big time this year. He's a lot cheaper than some of the other strikers available and with Betis at home he has a good chance to start his season off with a goal or two.
Finally is internet meme sensation
Roberto Soldado (Mondogoal: 5.5m) he has a torrid time in England scoring seven league goals in 52 league games before returning to Spain. His goal scoring form for Valencia saw him secure the move to Tottenham in the first place and with the striker needing to prove his worth he will be eager to kick off his season the way he left Spain, scoring consistently.