Fantasy La Liga: Mbappe leads Madrid derby picks as Atletico’s defence dominates

The Madrid derby offers Fantasy La Liga managers a clear contrast: Real Madrid provide the strongest attacking options, while Atletico Madrid’s defensive players feature prominently among the highest-scoring choices before Sunday’s meeting.

All eyes will be on the Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the seventh round of La Liga, as the two capital clubs renew their rivalry. Fantasy managers will view the fixture differently, with individual points and recent form adding another layer to the contest.

The leading selections

Based on performances throughout the season and points collected in previous La Liga rounds, the top 10 players from the two squads are:

1. Kylian Mbappe – 79 points 2. Jude Bellingham – 66 points 3. Arda Guler – 61 points 4. Alex Baena – 49 points 5. Vinicius Junior – 48 points 6. Lee Kang-in – 47 points 7. Jan Oblak – 42 points 8. David Hancko – 39 points 9. Alex Grimaldo – 39 points 10. Marcos Llorente – 38 points

Atletico, managed by Diego Simeone, dominate the defensive rankings, with four of the derby’s five highest-rated defenders: Hancko, Grimaldo, Llorente and Loic Bade. All four have scored more Fantasy points than Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen, who has 30.

Jan Oblak is also ahead of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The Atletico captain has collected 42 points so far, compared with 37 for Courtois.

Real Madrid’s edge comes in attack. Under Jose Mourinho, they have three of the five highest-scoring forwards in the derby: Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Yan Diomande. The other two places are taken by Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman.

The midfield comparison also favours Real Madrid, who have three players among the leading options. Bellingham has 66 points, Guler 61 and Federico Valverde 30. Atletico’s representatives are Baena on 49 and Lee Kang-in on 47.

Recommended derby XI

The strongest combined XI based on the points totals is:

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak – 42 points

Defenders: David Hancko – 39, Alex Grimaldo – 39, Marcos Llorente – 38, Dean Huijsen – 30

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham – 66, Arda Guler – 61, Alex Baena – 49

Forwards: Kylian Mbappe – 79, Vinicius Junior – 48, Giuliano Simeone – 32

The players in best recent form

The last three La Liga rounds provide another guide for Fantasy managers. Five players have stood out during that period, led by Mbappe, who has taken 38 points.

Guler is second with 34 points, followed by Grimaldo on 33. Bellingham has collected 22 points, while Lee Kang-in completes the list with 21.