Finally Spanish football is back! It seems a lifetime away that Thomas Vermaelen scored the winner against Malaga for Barcelona and Eibar overcome Athletic Club Bilbao to continue their 100% start to the season.
Lets not forget the transfer window also closed a few weeks ago and after a year of speculation and a month of transfer talk to everyone's shock David de Gea stayed at Manchester United.
We look to bring you Daily La Liga Fantasy Football Tips for the weekend ahead. As always our prices come from our partners over at Mondogoal.
So without further ado, here are our Gameweek 3 La Liga Daily Fantasy Football tips.
Fixtures
Friday 11th September
Levante v Sevilla
Saturday 12th September
Espanyol v Real Madrid
Sporting Gijon v Valencia
Atletico Madrid v Barcelona
Real Betis v Real Sociedad
Sunday 13th September
Granada v Villarreal
Athletic Club Bilbao v Getafe
Celta Vigo v Las Palmas
Malaga v Eibar
Monday 14th September
Vallecano v Deportivo La Coruna
Clean Sheet Potential
The bookies across the country are indicating that Malaga, Athletic Club Bilbao, Celta Vigo, Real Madrid and Sevilla are the five most likely teams to keep a clean sheet this weekend. With that in mind, it wouldn't be the worst idea to select your defenders from the following teams if it suits you financially.
Goalkeeper Tips
Saturday
Only five sides in La Liga are yet to concede a goal. One of which is David Moyes' Real Sociedad. Their keeper
Geronimo Rulli (Mondogoal 7.2m) is one of the most consistent keepers in Spain and is showing no signs of being displaced in the starting 11. We've spoken about Rulli before and at the price of 7.2m you could do a lot worse. Sociedad travel to Real Betis this weekend who have only scored one goal so far this season in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal. The form and dominance in the air of Rulli will be key if they are to keep another clean sheet.
The Aussie Mat Ryan looked to have nailed down the starting position at Valencia. That was until he had to have surgery on his knee leaving him unable to play for around a month. Their next best keeper Diego Alves is also out injured leaving Nuno in a sticky situation. The Spanish press are doing their best to predict who will start in between the sticks this Saturday. Our best advice we can give you is pick our Daily La Liga Fantasy Football team once the team news is out. This way you will see who starts between
Juame (Mondogoal: 6.0m) and
Yoel (Mondogoal: 3.8m.) Early reports are suggesting the former will put on the jersey but it's certainly one to keep an eye on.
If you followed the transfer window closely this year you would've expected us to be tipping David de Gea this week. That never happened for one reason or another leaving
Keylor Navas (Mondogoal: 12.6m) as the number one for the season. Madrid and in particular Florentino Perez tried to use Navas to encourage Manchester United to sell David de Gea. This week Perez apologised to him, which should have sealed all the cracks between the pair. This should see Navas start against Espanyol.
Sunday
Athletic Club Bilbao are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and currently sit at the bottom of the table with 0 points. This weekend they face Getafe sit just above them in 19th on goal difference. It seems Athletic Club are still experiencing a Spanish Super Cup hangover but we think that will change this weekend. Last season Getafe had one of the worst away forms in the league only scoring 17 away goals. All roads lead towards an Athletic Club and
Gorka Iraizoz (Mondogoal: 9.1m) clean sheet.
Currently sitting top of the league is Celta Vigo, so far this season they have only conceded one goal away to Levante. This weekend they play hosts to La Liga new boys Las Palmas. Celta Vigo's first choice keeper Ruben Blanco is currently out injured leaving
Sergio Alvarez (Mondogoal: 7.3m) next in line. Alvarez has been with the club since 2011 and is a more than adequate replacement for Blanco. The Gran Canaria side are yet to score this season with their drought expected to continue this season.
The last Daily La Liga Fantasy Tip in terms of goalkeepers is Malaga's
Carlos Kameni (Mondogoal: 5.6m) the agile Cameroonian is a fantastic shot stopper and has managed to fend off competition from Guillermo Ochoa. Malaga host Eibar this weekend and despite the Basque side currently sitting 2nd in the league we believe Malaga will walk away with a clean sheet and the win.
Defender Tips
Saturday
First up on Saturday is German defender
Shkodran Mustafi (Mondogoal: 6.6m) the Valencia defender has started both games this season as well as both the Champions League qualifying games against Monaco. Mustafi was expected to lead the defence with the departure of Nicolas Otamendi and so far this season he's shown he's up to the task. In Sporting Gijon, Valencia play a side that have drew both of their games 0-0. Whilst they will be away from home Valencia will should enough to shut up their opponents. He also comes in at a very cheap 6.6m, which is a fantastically cheap price for a starting central defender of Mustafi's quality.
Next up is a Real Madrid pairing of
Sergio Ramos (Mondogoal: 9.0m) and
Raphael Varane (Mondogoal: 7.6m) you really have the selection of either Madrid defender with this one. Varane comes in a lot cheaper and if you need to save cash could be the logical route to go down. You could pair the two together, which could lead to a big points hall if they keep a clean sheet this weekend. In his career Ramos has shown a rash side to his game that has seen him pick up bookings, for that reason if you just want one of them, take Varane.
Competing Saturday is
Inigo Martinez (Mondogoal: 6.9m) as previously mentioned Real Sociedad are yet to concede a goal this season and a key part of that has been the form of the young Spaniard. His form last season had attracted interest from Liverpool but the Basque side rejected their bid. He can also provide a danger from set pieces.
Sunday
One of our favourite players to select so far this season has been Celta Vigo's
Johnny (Mondogoal: 6.6m) the young fullback has been very impressive so far this season and has been a constant attacking threat down the wing. Celta are a side that attack down the wings. This gives Johnny the perfect chance to pick up some assists. If you fancy a more expensive Celta defender than look at
Andreu Fontas (Mondogoal: 9.1m) his price is more expensive due to his danger from set pieces. It may be a good idea to double up on Celta defenders due to playing Las Palmas at home.
The bookies are expecting Malaga to keep a clean sheet this weekend, if you want to follow the odds then you should consider
Marcos Angeleri (Mondogoal: 5.9m) the veteran defender sits at the heart of the Malaga defence and has started both games this season for Los Boquerones. So far this season Malaga have only conceded one goal which came in a defeat to Barcelona. Although Eibar are the joint top scorers in the league this season, Javi Garcia's men will be hoping to keep their opposition out with Angeleri playing a key role in that.
Completing Sunday is Villarreal defender
Juame Costa (Mondogoal: 7.4m) the left back has been with the Yellow Submarine since 2012 has and cemented his place in the starting line up. Costa provides a threat down the left for Villarreal and one of his main strengths in his game is his crossing. With the rejuvenated Roberto Soldado now scoring again his deliveries could see him pick up some more assists.
Attacking Potential
Another look at the bookies odds suggest that Real Madrid, Celta Vigo, Athletic Club Bilbao, Malaga and Valencia are the five most likely teams to score this weekend with Barcelona coming in at sixth. With this in mind it wouldn't be the worst idea to base your attack around these teams should it suit you financially.
Midfielder Tips
Saturday
In the opening weekend
James Rodriguez (Mondogoal: 14.6m) was dropped to the bench. This was mainly due to playing in the Copa America, nevertheless rumours started coming out about Rafa Benitez pushing him out the side. Things changed against Real Betis when the Columbian stole the show. His curling free kick and an audacious overhead kick helped Madrid to a 5-0 win. If he can continue his form then the Espanyol defence are in for a torrid time. Rodriquez can also turn provider and create goals, with one assist to his name already this season.
The standout fixture without a doubt this weekend takes place at the Vicente Calderon Stadium when Atletico Madrid welcome champions Barcelona. This game could go either way and both teams have enough quality in their attack to score hence why we haven't tipped a defender. The difference with midfielders is they have more chance to score goals and contribute assists. The first tip from this game is
Ivan Rakitic (Mondogoal: 11.3m) although the Croatian is yet to score or assist this season his creativity is going to be key this weekend to unlock a stubborn Atletico defence. Flip the coin and you have
Oliver Torres (Mondogoal: 8.4m) the youngster has stepped up to the place since the departure or Arda Turan. He's very highly rated and like Rakitic his creativity and eye for a pass is going to me imperative to Atletico this weekend.
The mentioned midfielders are all quite pricy our final Saturday tips are budget options. First is
Ruben Pardo (Mondogoal 6.0m) the 22-year-old progressed through Real Sociedad's academy and has been around the first team since 2011. Despite his young age he already has over 100 league caps for Sociedad. He provides an attacking threat both in terms of goal scoring and assisting. Yes in previous seasons he hasn't as much but David Moyes has encouraged him to start providing more and so far this season he has looked a threat in the final third.
The final Saturday midfielder tip is
Rodrigo de Paul (Mondogoal: 6.8m) the winger has started both league games this season and has looked a danger in both of them. He will be hoping to pick up his first league goal of the season having already scored in the Champions League against Monaco. Gijon are yet to concede a goal this season but we are expecting that to change this weekend.
Sunday
Fabian Orellana (Mondogoal: 11.1m) has been one of the best players in La Liga so far this season. The Chilean winger has a goal and an assist to his name. He's looked like Celta's most dangerous midfielder proving a constant danger throughout the games. With Celta welcoming Las Palmas this weekend Orellana will be looking to contribute in the final third. A cheaper Celta midfielder is
Pablo Hernandez (Mondogoal: 5.5m) who has creativity in abundance and will hoping to add to his assist tally against Las Palmas.
Athletic Club Bilbao have been unimpressive this season and currently have 0 points.
Markel Susaeta (Mondogoal: 6.2m) will be hoping he can help change that this weekend. Last season he picked up seven assists and the season before 12, he will be hoping to pick up his first of the season against Getafe this weekend. The addition of Raul Garcia upfront will ease the pressure of Adruiz giving Susaeta more of a chance to provide points for your side.
The final Sunday midfielder tip is
Adrian (Mondogoal: 5.9m) whilst throughout this article we have said Malaga will keep a clean sheet. If you don't think they well then look at the Eibar midfielder. He currently has two goals to his name and has been unlucky not to pick up an assist or two. The Spanish midfielder can play either centrally, on the wing or behind the striker and is finishing is one of his strengths to his game.
Forward Tips
Saturday
For what is the first time this season we are not going to tip Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, firstly because they are incredibly expensive and secondly because we end up repeating our self weak after weak. We will give you two Real Madrid team mates of Ronaldo's though! First is
Gareth Bale (Modogoal: 11.0m) who so far this season has outperformed the Portuguese star. His two goals in two games as well as an assist gives him one of the highest Mondogoal scores out of any forward. He also scored the winner in Wales European Qualifying win over Cyprus. His team mate
Karim Benzema (Mondogoal: 10.1m) is a cheaper option but his selection does involve some risk. There has been speculation that this season Ronaldo will be played as the striker reducing the amount of game time Benzema gets on the pitch. His decision to stay at Madrid this summer surely involves Benzema getting game time right?
If you want to consider a player from the Atletico Madrid v Barcelona game then
Antoine Griezmann (Mondogoal: 9.8m) could be a good choice. He was in fantastic form for France during the international break and so far this season has a goal and assist to his name. Atletico have already beaten Sevilla away this season, one of the toughest away games in La Liga. Now they welcome Barcelona, a game many are expecting to swing in Atletico's favour. Griezmann has developed well under Diego Simone and looks to be improving even more this season. He now also takes free kicks for Atleti giving him a better chance to score more goals.
Completing off Saturday is
Alvaro Negredo (Mondogoal 5.6m) who after signing on a pernament basis from Manchester City seems to have pushed Paco Alcacer to the bench. Negredo has scored one league goal this season as well as in the Champions League against Monaco. He offers strength and an aerial presence that means the wingers and wide players can resort to crossing if needs be.
Sunday
When
Roberto Soldado (Mondogoal: 5.4m) completed his more to Villarreal this summer no one could foresee the impact he would have in his opening two games. So far this season he has scored two goals and assisted two, he comes up against a Granada defence who have already conceded four this season. Soldado is high in confidence and will be hoping his goal scoring run continues at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. His team mate and fellow new signing
Cedric Bakambu (Mondogoal: 3.8m) also has two goals in two games and comes in at a very cheap 3.8m. It is important to note though that both of his goals has come in sub appearances which if you do pick the Frenchman is a risk.
Finally is
Nolito (Mondogoal: 12.2m) has attracted interest from big clubs this summer including Barcelona. This season he has scored two goals and assisted one and has been one of Celta's best players so far this season. Last season he scored 13 goals and assisted 13 and his form looks to have carried over into this season. His creative side is really shinning through this season with many surprised he wasn't included in the latest Spain squad.