Here are some key stats to consider looking ahead to the top La Liga options this weekend before selecting your fantasy team
Forwards
The obvious and safest choice as Tier 1 forward is again Lionel Messi. The Argentinian, who has 16 goals in 15 previous league meetings against Levante, was absent from Barcelona's surprising 5-4 loss in the same away fixture last season. Levante have allowed the most shots on target this La Liga campaign (100). Messi's minutes were limited against Tottenham Hotspur midweek, so expect him to be out in full force this weekend.
If you want to take a risk or are just tired of using Messi as your top forward, think about Iago Aspas of Celta Vigo, who faces Leganés at home and has scored six of Celta's last nine goals at Balaídos Stadium.
I would recommend picking Borja Iglesias as Tier 2 forward if he passes the fitness test before the weekend (his availability is uncertain due to illness). Only Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez have more shots on target this season than the Espanyol striker (22), who faces Real Betis at home on Sunday and has eight goals to his name. A safer pick would be La Liga's joint top scorer Cristhian Stuani. The Uruguayan has scored six of his 11 goals this season on the road and could extend his tally when Girona plays at Sevilla.
Midfielders
Gareth Bale and Real Madrid face a favorable home fixture against Rayo Vallecano, a team that has allowed 30 goals so far this season (joint-most in La Liga). Bale ended his 10-game league goal drought last matchweek at Huesca. As an alternative, in-form man Pablo Sarabia and Sevilla entertain Girona on Sunday. Sarabia is one of two La Liga players with at least five goals and five assists (6); the other one is Messi (11 goals, 8 assists).
La Liga's newest sensation, Brais Méndez, is a no-brainer pick as Tier 2 midfielder. Celta's Méndez has directly participated in 9 goals during his past six league games (4 goals, 5 assists).
My Tier 3 midfielder selection is on the riskier side this week. I am going with Real Valladolid's Toni Villa, a player that has found the net in each of his last two league games while playing in a forward position. Toni's Valladolid hosts an Atlético Madrid side that has struggled on the road recently, winning one of its last seven away games in all competitions.
Defenders
Sergio Ramos (Tier 1) remains the safest pick among defenders thanks to his penalty duties. Real Madrid recorded clean sheets in four of its past five home league games and now faces a Rayo Vallecano side on a four-game losing streak on the road (eight goals allowed, one goal scored over that span). Real Madrid's three goals against at the Santiago Bernabéu are the fewest among all teams in La Liga at home.
My Tier 2 defender choice is Alaves's center back Víctor Laguardia, a top-10 player among defenders in total fantasy points (126). Alavés plays at home this week, where it remains unbeaten with four wins and three draws. In addition, they host a team unable to win on the road this season ... Athletic Bilbao, who also lost their last three league visits.
Goalkeeper
I am doubling up on Alaves players this week by adding Fernando Pachecho to my squad, as I expect a home clean sheet against Athletic Bilbao. Someone to think about on the riskier side is Levante's Oier Olazábal, who could benefit from saves points against an attacking side like Barcelona. Oier has made 74 saves this season, eight more than any other goalkeeper.