Fantasy La Liga Gameweek 4 Picks

The 2020-21 Spanish La Liga season continues this weekend after a full round of fixtures midweek.

FC Barcelona started the season with a convincing 4-0 thrashing of Villarreal over the weekend and will face Celta Vigo away on Thursday, before hosting Sevilla over the weekend.

Meanwhile. defending champions Real Madrid face a potentially tricky match versus Real Valladolid on Wednesday before travelling to Levante on Sunday.

Here are this weekend’s tips for your fantasy team:

Goalkeeper: Jordi Masip (Real Valladolid)
Real Valladolid welcome Eibar to the Jose Zorrilla Stadium in the first La Liga game of the weekend. Sergio’s side play a defensive game and had the best defensive record in the bottom half last season as a result. Although they’re without a clean sheet in their first three prior to travelling to Real Madrid on Wednesday night, weekend opponents Eibar are really struggling to score so this is an excellent opportunity to Jordi Masip to register a shutout.

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Fantasy La Liga Gameweek 1 Picks

The 2020-21 Spanish La Liga season kicks off on Friday night with Granada hosting Athletic Club.

Defending champions Real Madrid have been given the opening weekend off due to their participation in the Champions League over in Portugal last month. Likewise, Barcelona, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid all have the weekend off. Elche and Getafe will therefore not be in action for week 1 either as they were scheduled to meet last season’s top two.

All eight games kick off at different times meaning fans can watch all of their fantasy players on TV. With that in mind, here are eleven players to consider for your first squad of the new season:

Goalkeeper: Sergio Asenjo
Difficult to call a clean sheet in the opening weekend particularly with none of the big teams in action. Villarreal didn’t have the best defensive record last season but they finished fifth and host Huesca on the opening weekend so Sergio Asenjo could be a smart choice.

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Lyon appoint Rudi Garcia after nightmare start to the Ligue 1 season

Lyon have had their worst start to a Ligue 1 campaign in an era and they have been swift to act. Before week 10 coach Sylvinho was dismissed and he has been replaced by Rudi Garcia but can Garcia improve the team and is he the right man?

That answer looks to be a yes and a yes. Appointing Garcia is the flipside of appointing Sylvinho, the ex-Arsenal man like for example Thierry Henry at Monaco had no top tier level experience and surely bringing him in to a club like Lyon at this early stage of his managerial career was as they say in French a faux pas.

Garcia though is a different cattle of fish and here we have a coach who has spent over 15 seasons managing teams in Ligue 1. His most recent job was with Marseille where the 55 year old spent 3 seasons and had his fair share of ups and downs but one must remember that the team stayed a consistent top 5 side.

His average career win rate is 47% which in managerial terms isn’t as bad as it looks and with Lille he hit 50%, he also hit 51% at his time with Roma. He has won 2 trophies, the Ligue 1 title and a cup both with Lille in 2011. So even though it has been some time he does have some trophies under his belt.

Make no mistake though with the start that Lyon have had where they are in the bottom half of the league with 9 points and a massive 12 points behind leaders PSG the objective for Lyon isn’t trophies but recovery. True a deep run in a cup competition will be welcomed, and the knockout stages of the Champions League too, but this season Lyon’s owners wanted to challenge PSG and give them a run for their money, and that will be the clear objective. If they can’t win the league, then come 2nd and get the club back on the map.

Lyon will host Dijon who are in 19th place and this seems to be the perfect opportunity for the club to bounce back even if Dijon have shown promise lately by winning two games in a row. Garcia has proven that he has what it takes, but it will be fascinating to see how he does it and how he deploys a team who have lost quality players including Nabil Fekir this season.

Don’t write off Lyon just yet will be the message from the south east of France, a sleeping giant may just have awoken.

Prove you have what it takes to challenge the best French Fantasy Football managers here www.fantasyligue1.com 

 

A preview of gameweek 5 in LaLiga

Football, football, football.

Here is our preview of all ten games in LaLiga this coming weekend.

Osasuna v Real Betis

Key men: Roberto Torres (Osasuna); Nabil Fekir (Real Betis)

Prediction: Osasuna 1 – 1 Real Betis Continue reading

A preview of all the action in gameweek 4 of LaLiga

Another full list of LaLiga matches awaits all Spanish football fans this weekend. There are some very interesting matchups to look out for as well.

Here is our preview of all ten games.

Mallorca v Athletic Bilbao

Key men: Salva Sevilla (Mallorca); Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)

Prediction: Mallorca 0 – 1 Athletic Bilbao Continue reading

Ligue 1: Week 35: Player Picks for the Weekend

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PSG are champions as we know but there is still the prospect of sorting out Champions League, Europa League and relegation places, and this is what will be on everyone’s minds come the 35th week of Ligue 1 football.

Below we will take a look at the players that could make all the difference this weekend and some of them you may want to add to your team, as they look to gain maximum points depending on the upcoming fixtures.

Formation 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper: Walter Benitez- Nice

Walter Benitez is one of the best up and coming goal keepers in Ligue 1. But he makes this list and you should choose him given his fantastic recent form, where he has kept 4 clean sheets from the past five games. It’s true they are playing PSG, but their form has not been good and they have already won the league. Benitez costs 6.5m.

Defender: Christopher Julien- Toulouse

Julien has been a rock in defence for Toulouse and has played the most games for the club this season. Toulouse will be at home against Rennes who shouldn’t offer much trouble up front. At home Toulouse have kept 2 clean sheets in a row. He is valued at 6.5m.

Defender: Issiaga Sylla- Toulouse

Keeping with Toulouse is the experienced Issiaga Sylla who has had a decent season and has a good chemistry with Julien. Again Toulouse are at home and have decent opposition in a game where they could well keep a clean sheet. Sylla can also score goals and has 2 so far this season so could be worth some bonus points. He is valued at 6.5m.

Defender: Pierre-Yves Polomat – Saint Etienne

Saint Etienne are the team right now and not only are they winning but they are keeping it very solid at the back too. It might be worth taking Polomat into your team given that the player likes to come forward too- and can score and create goals, plus he is only going to cost a bargain 3m. Saint Etienne play Monaco away this weekend.

Defender: Dani Alves – PSG

Dani Alves has been one of the brighter lights for PSG even though their form has suffered in the past few weeks. PSG are at home to Nice and there is a big chance for the club that they can at least keep Nice quiet in Paris. Alves has 6 assists so far this season too. Alves cost 7.5m.

Midfielder: Wahbi Khazri – Saint Etienne

Simply put Khazri has been one of the best pound for pound players in Ligue 1. His club are chasing the Champions League, they are in superb form, scoring goals, and for his position Khazri has an incredible 13 goals- what else do we need to know, not to pick this player? And he will cost just 7.5m.

Midfielder: Remy Cabella- Saint Etienne

Cabella was brilliant last week and there is no reason to see the player slowing down given that Saint Etienne have to keep pushing and winning in order to try and take 3rd place from Lyon. Cabella is a bargain price- all things considered at 7m.

Midfielder: Valentin Rongier- Nantes

Valentin Rongier has 3 goals and 4 assists for Nantes and has shown a lot of quality especially in recent weeks. Plus Nantes are going through the best form of their season and have won the last 4 games including beating PSG, Lyon and Marseille. They just keep winning and they are at home v Dijon this weekend, which should be another victory. Rongier to buy is just 4.5m.

Midfielder: Nabil Fekir- Lyon

True Fekir will cost you 10m but at the weekend Lyon have a massive game against 2nd place Lille and this is where Fekir need to step up and make this game his own if he ever wants to be a regular French international. He has scored 9 goals and has 7 assists so there are plenty of points in him.

Striker: Edinson Cavani- PSG

Cavani has been knocked down to 3rd striker in the PSG pecking order because of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. But Neymar has been in the news for all of the wrong reasons while Mbappe is suspended for this game. This is Cavani’s chance to get back in the starting 11 and back on track scoring goals. Cavani is valued at 13m.

Striker: Andy Delort- Montpellier

The man of the moment Andy Delort is trying his best to fire Montpellier into a final European position. Delort is scoring goals and did so last weekend against PSG. He has scored 14 so far and is 7m.

Prove you have what it takes to challenge the best French Fantasy Football managers here www.fantasyligue1.com 

 

 

 

 

Ligue 1- Week 31- 11 Player Picks for the Weekend

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Ligue 1 returns again at the weekend and we will look into the fixtures and try to predict which players will be worth purchasing for your fantasy team at the weekend, based on the fixtures. Formation to be used is 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper: Anthony Lopes- Lyon

Anthony Lopes does not top the points in the fantasy league for goal keepers but the Lyon stopper is all set to face Dijon who are bottom of the league and he has every chance to keep a clean sheet at the weekend. And he did so in his last game when Lyon beat Rennes 1-0. He can be bought for 10m.

Defender: Jose Fonte- Lille

Lille are away at the weekend to Reims but Reims have just lost 4-0 at Strasbourg and 2nd placed Lille will be the favourites to win this game and possibly keep a clean sheet. Plus Fonte has put in some sterling performances over the past few weeks and can be brought in for 7.5m.

Defender: Pierre- Yves Polomat – Saint Etienne

True Polomat has played just 7 games for Saint Etienne this season but the most important factor is that he is playing now. Saint Etienne are in very good form and they will play an average side in Amiens. Polomat is great value to take into your team and is only 3m.

Defender: Jeremy Sorbon – Guingamp

Pitting a defender who plays for Guingamp may not look like a great deal but Sorbon has had some solid displays over the last few months. This has included being part of a team that has kept 3 clean sheets in their last five games, no mean feat. Guingamp will play fellow strugglers Monaco and we could see a low scoring game. Sorbon is valued at 7m.

Defender: Marquinhos- PSG

PSG will be playing Strasbourg in Paris and Marquinhos who has been in great form at the back for the club is only 7.5m which seems like a bargain for a PSG player. PSG have been able to keep 3 clean sheets in the past month and he is worth keeping an eye out for.

Midfielder: Nabil Fekir- Lyon

It’s true that Fekir will set you back 10m but at the weekend if you have the extra funds the talented midfielder could be worth it. Fekir likes to assist and score goals he has 9 so far and has set up a further 5 and Lyon are playing the bottom team in Dijon.

Midfielder: Wylan Cyprien- Nice

Cyprien is a fine midfielder who can score goals and his game usually rises to the occasion of the bigger matches. For Nice playing Montpellier in a battle of the south is a big game. Cyprien is outstanding value and can be bought for just 5m.

Midfielder: Jordan Ferri- Nimes

Jordan Ferri is probably the best midfielder Nimes have overall and the club will be playing Caen at home in 18th place. This gives Nimes a chance to get all three points and they could get a few goals. Ferri could be at the centre piece of that and can be brought in for just 3m.

Midfielder: Thomas Mangani- Angers

Mangani had a terrific week against Marseille as the midfielder got both goals and it may be worth sticking with the player once again for this weekend as Angers will be at home and will take on Rennes. Mangani is good value too and can be brought in for 7m.

Striker: Andy Delort- Montpellier

Delort has been on fine form scoring at the weekend and Montpellier have scored 10 goals in their last 5 games he can be bought for just 7m and is on fire, form wise. Montpellier will be playing Nice away at the weekend.

Striker: Memphis Depay- Lyon

Lyon are in hot pursuit of 2nd place and Memphis Depay will be hoping to fire his side to some wins starting at the weekend against bottom club Dijon. Lyon will be at home and they will be favourites not to just win the game but to score a few goals too and Depay could easily be on the score sheet. He can be brought in for 10.5m, but could be worth it even for a week.

Prove you have what it takes to challenge the best French Fantasy Football managers here www.fantasyligue1.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lyon star Fekir once again linked with move away

fekirLyon star Nabil Fekir looks once again set to depart the Ligue 1 outfit – and will hope that this time the deal can make it over the line. The 25-year-old had previously looked set to depart France for a move to Premier League side Liverpool, and had even recorded an interview for LFC TV. On top of that, the Merseysiders held a photoshoot of Fekir in the Reds’ home kit, with the move having looked all but done. However, Liverpool pulled the plug on the transfer at the last minute, leaving Fekir to return to the club he thought he had left to ply his trade once again in the 2018-19 campaign. Suggestions have risen up, meanwhile, that not one, but two top European clubs are keeping tabs on his progress.

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Ligue 1 stars Mbappe, Neymar, Fekir, Depay, Thauvin & Cavani back in Action!

Ligue 1 kicks-off on Friday, August 10th with Marseille hosting Toulouse! The French fans have celebrated a glorious summer with the likes of Kylian Mbappe helping Les Bleus lift the World Cup! However, this Friday, Fantasy Football Managers will be looking to the likes of Florian Thauvin to earn precious fantasy points in the long and exciting quest to be crowned best Ligue 1 Fantasy Manager!

While PSG may be clear favorites to repeat as champions, in particular with Mbappe, Edinson Cavani and Neymar all on the club’s payroll, Lyon- as long as they keep Nabil Fekir, have an exciting and fun core in Fekir, Memphis Depay, Bertrand Traore and striker Mariano. Marseille have some good players, and not just Thauvin, but it will be hard for them to compete with PSG in a long season due to the low budget limiting the club’s ability to lure quality signings.

Finally, Monaco have sold players again this summer but they have made a habit of rebounding and performing well with the help of clever signings and quality work by coach Leonardo Jardim.

So who will be on your Ligue 1 Fantasy Team? How about Cavani who is PSG’s all-time leading scorer (he surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s record last season), or perhaps iconic Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon?

Remember to play now and invite your friends to join your Mini-League! It is Free to join, so what are you waiting for? If you believe you have what it takes to challenge other Ligue 1 Fantasy managers then click the following link now: https://ligue1fantasy.com/users/register and prove your knowledge of French football!

 

Salah extension shows Liverpool mean business

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Liverpool have already returned for pre-season training, and there was some good news to come out of Melwood on the first day back.

Far and away their player of last season, Mo Salah announced that he’d penned a new long-term deal, bringing to an end rumours which had linked him with Real Madrid, Barcelona and others.

There was a time, not so long ago, when Liverpool were still something of a laughing stock. Not anymore. Continue reading