Prepare your fantasy soccer lineups for this weekend's La Liga action by taking a look at some of the top options across every position.
Continue to leave Argentine superstar Lionel Messi in your Tier 1 forward spot and as captain this week. This week's Messi stat: If you were to remove all of Messi's fantasy points from goals (260), he would still lead all La Liga players in fantasy points this season. Barcelona travel to face Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín stadium in Seville. Quique Setién's squad has fallen off on the defensive end lately, allowing an average of two goals in each of their last four home games in all competitions. Messi, who continues to lead all players from Europe's top five leagues in goals (26) and assists (12), has scored 20 goals in exactly 20 career games against Betis. For those needing to go against the grain as the season enters the home stretch, consider Sevilla's Wissam Ben Yedder in the Tier 1 forward spot. Last week, the Frenchman became the first Sevilla player to score three hat tricks in La Liga since Davor Suker. The only players from Europe's top five leagues with more goals in all competitions than Ben Yedder (24) are Messi (34), Robert Lewandowski (29) and Kylian Mbappé (29).
Eibar's Brazilian forward Charles should be considered for this week's Tier 2 forward spot. Charles has scored 10 goals in home league games this season, tied with Luis Suárez for second most behind Messi's 15. Eibar owns La Liga's longest active unbeaten streak in home games and has scored the third-most goals at home in that span (20), behind only Barcelona (28) and Sevilla (22). For their part, Valladolid have struggled defensively recently -- especially on the road. Since November, only Levante and Celta de Vigo have allowed more away goals (19) than Valladolid's 16. Getafe's Jaime Mata trails only Messi in fantasy points since the start of February. Consider riding the hot hand in Mata despite Getafe's tough game against Valencia this week.
Valencia's Dani Parejo has been in a class of his own this season and should continue to occupy the Tier 1 midfielder spot regardless of opponent. Parejo averages nearly 15 fantasy points per game at the Estadio Mestalla this season and has averaged over 17 fantasy points in his past four games against Getafe.
Real Sociedad's 21-year-old midfielder Mikel Oyarzabal has scored five goals in his past six games for La Real, and only Messi and Mata have more goals since the start of February. This week's top option in the Tier 2 midfield spot, Oyarzabal has a favorable home matchup against Levante, who have allowed the most goals in La Liga this season, tied with Rayo Vallecano. Despite a tough loss to Atlético in their last home game, Sociedad should be in good position to score multiple goals against, and without the injured Willian José, Oyarzabal has a solid chance to continue his scoring ways.
Tier 1 defender Gerard Piqué leads all La Liga defenders in minutes played and fantasy points this season, with an opportunity to expand on the latter Sunday against Betis. The Catalan tower has been more involved on offense recently, taking eight shots over his past five league games after taking none in the previous six combined.
The only defender with more fantasy points since the start of January is this week's Tier 2 defender, Celta's Néstor Araújo. It's no secret that Real Madrid have struggled at the Bernabéu recently, having lost four straight in all competitions. Real are dealing with injuries to Vinícius Júnior, Gareth Bale and Lucas Vázquez, and Casemiro also faces suspension for a red card earned last week. The Mexican international Araújo has averaged 11.9 fantasy points over his past five league games.
Atlético keeper Jan Oblak is this week's clear selection between the posts. Prior to a tough loss to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday, Oblak had put together four straight clean sheets in league play. He faces an Athletic team that has the second-lowest scoring output in Primera División this season.