There is a full slate of games on the schedule for La Liga this weekend and while the threat of a players strike lingers, the more likely scenario has all 10 games going ahead as planned. As of this posting, a Spanish court has suspended the strike called by the Players’s Union.
Barcelona is on the cusp of clinching a La Liga title now four points up on Real Madrid with two games to play, but they will be in tough to seal the deal in a date with Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for this weekend’s La Liga DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Iker Casillas, Real Madrid
Salary: $5,800
Real Madrid absolutely needs a win over Espanyol in order to keep its already slim chances of catching Barcelona at the top of La Liga alive. That will mean they need a strong performance from Casillas in goal against has been equally as strong away (22 goals in 18 games) as they are at home (22 in 18). Casillas is available at a decent price and with the possibility for a clean sheet bonus in play, it makes sense to go with him at the GK spot hoping he can get the shutout win.
D: Dani Carvajal, Real Madrid
Salary: $3,700
Sticking with the theme of Real Madrid desperate for the win, it makes sense to go with Carvajal as an excellent value play at under $4,000. Carvajal is the type of player that can contribute at both ends of the pitch and his ability to step up and join in the attack makes him an excellent fantasy asset.
D: Balenziaga, Athletic Bilbao
Salary: $2,800
Athletic Bilbao isn’t in the title race but they have one of the best value defenders on the board. Balenziaga is available at under $3,000. Slotting in a quality defender at a discount price makes sense here considering we can really put that money saved to good use in other areas.
M: James Rodriguez, Real Madrid
Salary: $8,100
James has been brilliant since his return from injury and will play a central role in the middle of the field leading the Real Madrid attack. You can expect that Real Madrid to push their attack as hard as possible in order to secure a win and that makes James perhaps the best midfield option on the board.
M: Ivan Rakitic, Barcelona
Salary: $4,800
Rakitic is an incredible value play in the Barcelona midfield as a starter and quality contributor listed at under $5,000. Barcelona will want to clinch its La Liga title in style with a win over Atletico Madrid and you can expect them to attack in waves. Although there are bigger brand names on this roster, Rakitic is the best value play on Barcelona.
F: Cristiano Ronaldo, Real Madrid
Salary: $11,800
It only makes sense to plug Ronaldo in as our top forward as he leads the Real Madrid attack that is in a must-win situation. The price tag is pretty high but considering the circumstances and Ronaldo’s world-class skill, it is worth the price to slot him in here.
F: Luis Suarez, Barcelona
Salary: $8,900
Suarez is in a very unique spot in Daily Fantasy Leagues as the lowest priced of the three forwards in Barca’s explosive attack. Suarez has been on an absolute tear of late and his ability to finish in what could be a sloppy game on Sunday will make him an excellent value play at a lower salary point than both Lionel Messi and Neymar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sduKtYvddMc
FLEX: Oliver, Atletico Madrid
Salary: $4,000
The FLEX position will be about finding the best possible value with the remaining money we have left over and that means slotting Oliver in here. Atletico Madrid might not win this game but they aren’t about to lay down against Barcelona and Oliver is a very good bargain play here.
