In this post, we’re going to run through the potential best XI’s for every team in LaLiga 2021/22. These were compiled in September 2021, shortly after the end of the Spanish football transfer window and are designed to demonstrate what each team’s strongest XI may be over the course of the season, not necessarily immediately. Obviously there are loads of factors that could change things from coaching changes and tactical switches to loss of form and injuries. However this should be a useful starting guide for any fantasy football or Sorare managers trying to size up the league. Read on for our LaLiga predicted lineups!
LaLiga Predicted Lineups 2021/22 – Probable Best XI’s
Alavés
Key Men – Joselu, Lejeune, Pacheco
Sorare Star – Florian Lejeune (L15 Average: 54)
Alaves are a team widely expected to struggle after recent flirtations with relegation. After the departure of Lucas Perez, so much of the attacking burden will fall on Joselu and much of their play goes through the big striker. He will need to have another good season if Alaves are going to beat the drop while Florian Lejeune and keeper Fernando Pacheco are likely to be key at the other end. Manu Garcia is perhaps their most interesting summer addition and one to watch in midfield while Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri will be hoping to make a bigger impression in his second loan spell at the club.
Athletic Club
Key Men – Muniain, Martinez, Williams
Sorare Star – Iker Muniain (L15 Average: 55)*
*Only 7 games played in L15.
Little has changed in terms of personnel for Athletic but they do look keen to bring some younger players through this season. 20 year old midfielder Unai Vencedor and 22 year old defender Dani Vivian have featured heavily during the opening weeks while fellow youngsters Nico Serrano and Nico Williams are also tipped for big things in Bilbao. Overall, they look at worst a solid mid-table team with a pretty strong defence and they could potentially push for Europe if they can find more goals. Iker Muniain will be the chief creative threat while Marcelino will be hoping to find the right balance up front with Iñaki Williams often their most dangerous forward player even if he lacks a prolific goalscoring record.
Atletico Madrid
Key Men – Oblak, Llorente, Griezmann, Suarez
Sorare Star – Rodrigo De Paul (L15 Average: 58)
Atletico Madrid are the defending Spanish champions and widely tipped to defend their crown. On paper they have arguably the strongest squad in Spain now and their best XI looks a bit clearer than at some other teams. However that will still depend on many factors, including how Antoine Griezmann settles back into life at the Wanda Metropolitano. 3-5-2 (or 3-1-4-2) looks like Simeone’s go-to formation now and he has plenty of options beyond the XI above. Thomas Lemar, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Joao Félix and Angel Correa will all be pushing for a starting role too. Lemar in particular has made a really strong start to the campaign, suggesting he may feature more prominently this term.
Barcelona
Key Men – Frenkie de Jong, Depay
Sorare Star – Memphis Depay (L15 Average: 76)
Barcelona’s squad is depleted and Ronald Koeman is in the process of looking for a way forward without Leo Messi. The midfield trident of Pedri, Busquets and De Jong still offers plenty of quality but a lack of depth is a major concern in that area amongst others. Up top, Memphis Depay looks like he is going to be the main dangerman and Barça are going to need him to have a big season if they are going to seriously compete for the title. Ansu Fati could also prove key if he can get back to his previous level, but there are serious doubts about that following a long injury lay-off.
Cádiz
Key Men – Alex Fernandez, Negredo
Sorare Star – Alex Fernandez (L15 Average: 58)*
*Only 5 games played in L15.
Cádiz favour a low-possession, counter-attacking style and are averaging a ball share of under 30% so far this term. Their distinctive approach yielded success last year but you worry teams may have cottoned on to how best to play against them. They aren’t a team packed full of big names but they operate effectively as a unit with veteran striker Alvaro Negredo still likely to be their main goal threat at the age of 36.
Celta Vigo
Key Men – Tapia, Aspas
Sorare Star – Iago Aspas (L15 Average: 62)
Celta Vigo enjoyed considerable success last season after appointing Chacho Coudet and will be looking to push on for Europe this season. They play a distinctive 4-1-3-2 system with a relatively settled team packed full of attack-minded players. Renato Tapia is absolutely key in the holding midfield role in terms of making it work while Iago Aspas remains their star in the final third and continues to be one of the best players in LaLiga outside the top four. Celta have made a slow start to this season though and the fear is that teams have figured out how to play against them. Coudet may need to find fresh solutions with summer signing Franco Cervi one man who could potentially offer something different.
Elche
Key Men – Raúl Guti, Benedetto
Sorare Star – Kiko Casilla (L15 Average: 54)*
*Only 6 games played in L15
Elche have been busy over the summer and they appear to have had a good transfer window which offers them a real chance to avoid relegation again this season. There are a lot of new players to try and bed in, so it may be a while before we get a clear picture of their best XI. That being said, Raúl Guti looks like he will be important again in midfield while Argentine international Dario Benedetto is a really eye-catching addition in attack and he should ensure they carry a greater attacking threat this term. The same could be said of compatriot Javier Pastore if he can get anywhere close to his best form from his days at PSG.
Espanyol
Key Men – Embarba, Herrera, R.D.T.
Sorare Star – David López (L15 Average: 55)*
*Data mostly comes from the 2019/20 season as Espanyol were in the Segunda last season.
Espanyol have struggled a bit so far on their return to the top flight but there is enough quality in their ranks to turn it around. The midfield is full of genuine talents with wide players Javi Puado and Adrian Embarba key to their promotion charge last season. Yangel Herrera is a terrific addition in midfield following two impressive seasons with Granada while Raul De Tomas is their main striker with a proven record when it comes to scoring goals.
Getafe
Key Men – Djene
Sorare Star – Djené Dakonam (L15 Average: 53)
Getafe are under new management in the shape of Michel, but have started the season with four straight defeats. Their performances haven’t been as bad as that suggests but there is already real pressure building on their new coach to get results and it’s possible their “best XI” could look very different in a few months if somebody else comes in. A switch to 3-5-2 is possible but for now they remain reliant on Djene Dakonam defensively and are just waiting for a host of new signings to make a bigger impact. The likes of Carles Aleñá and Jakub Jankto came for sizable fees while youngsters José Macías and Florentino will also be hoping to challenge for more minutes as the season progresses.
Granada
Key Men – Milla, Suárez, Machis
Sorare Star – Aarón Escandell (L15 Average: 45)
*Only 8 games played in L15 & no Granada didn’t have anyone averaging above 45!
Granada have lost some key players over the summer and it looks like it’s going to be a real struggle for new boss Robert Moreno. What was LaLiga’s worst defence last season, does not look any more solid so far this, although they have added a bit more quality in the full-back positions. Yangel Herrera is another big loss in midfield but the likes of Luis Milla and Darwin Machis should ensure they do create chances while the other Luis Suárez may be their biggest goal threat.
Levante
Key Men – Campaña, Morales
Sorare Star – Jose Campaña (L15 Average: 58)
*Only 4 games played in L15 due to injury but those were the last 4. L40 average also high at 56.
Levante are popular among neutrals for their attacking style of play, something rare amongst bottom half LaLiga teams these days. Jose Campaña missed much of last season through injury but he’s fit again and looks certain to be their main creative force in midfield. Jose Luis Morales also continues to entertain and is a regular source of goals, often spectacular ones, whether he is selected out wide or up top. Defensively Levante are often a bit shaky and they’ll be hoping new signing Shkodran Mustafi can help to tighten things up.
Mallorca
Key Men – Valjent, Kubo
Sorare Star – Salva Sevilla (L15 Average: 51)*
*Data mostly comes from the 2019/20 season as Mallorca were in the Segunda last season.
Mallorca have done some intriguing summer business with talented young players arriving to try and give life to their bid to establish themselves at this level. The most eye-catching one is the return of Kubo who will be hoping to get back on track after a difficult 2020/21 season. There is real competition in most positions now, particularly in attacking areas. Defensively they were very solid in the Segunda Division last term and the early signs are relatively encouraging that they will be able to translate that into more assured defensive displays than we saw from them during their last top flight campaign.
Osasuna
Key Men – Herrera, Budimir
Sorare Star – Sergio Herrera (L15 Average: 52)
Osasuna are hoping to evolve from a really solid, defensive side, into one that offers a bit more going forwards this season. Chimy Avila is fit again and potentially their star but after two ACL injuries, it may take some time before he gets anywhere close to his electric best. If that doesn’t happen, record signing Ante Budimir is the man most likely to carry their attacking threat with plenty of support from wide areas. Defensively Osasuna are pretty settled with Sergio Herrera a reliable goalkeeper whose stats were amongst the most impressive of any keeper in LaLiga last season.
Rayo Vallecano
Key Men – Catena, Falcao
Sorare Star – Oscar Trejo (L5 Average: 58)*
*L5 average used as not enough data for L15 – Rayo were in the Segunda in each of the last two seasons.
Rayo Vallecano were everyone’s favourites for the drop but they’ve made a surprisingly good start to the season. They even finally showed a bit of ambition late in the transfer window by bringing in a bit more quality. Unai López will add something to their midfield and in one of the shock transfers in a year of surprising moves, Rayo Vallecano managed to bring legendary Colombian striker Radamel Falcao in. He’s 35 now and clearly not the player that featured for Atletico Madrid all those years ago, but Falcao could still prove a big hit back in the Spanish capital in Vallecas.
Real Betis
Key Men – Canales, Fekir
Sorare Star – Guido Rodriguez (L15 Average: 55)
Real Betis have European football to look forward to this season and they’ve added a bit of depth to their squad to cope with that. As a result, there looks to be genuine competition for places across the pitch and we can expect considerable rotation if they do go deep in Europe. However in terms of real stars, Sergio Canales and Nabil Fekir are the two that really make Betis tick and Manuel Pellegrini will need them to have good seasons if Betis are to come close to emulating last season’s impressive 6th place finish.
Real Madrid
Key Men – Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Benzema
Sorare Star – Luka Modrić (L15 Average: 67)
Real Madrid go into the new season with a new coach and without their long-standing central defensive pairing of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos. Whether they have enough to seriously compete in Europe is more doubtful, but if they avoid major injuries, they have a team capable of winning LaLiga. They do though have dependency issues that city rivals Atleti don’t have to quite the same extent. Karim Benzema is irreplaceable up top while their midfield trio remains key to everything they do. New boss Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping for a bigger contribution from his wide players though with Vini Junior already showing signs he may deliver.
Real Sociedad
Key Men – Merino, Oyarzabal
Sorare Star – Aritz Elustondo (L15 Average: 55)
Real Sociedad’s talented young team is a year older and wiser and significantly they’ve held onto all of their bright young stars for another season. They have European football again so there’s likely to be rotation in some areas but there is a clear first choice central defensive pairing and the same could be said of the midfield to some extent with Mikel Merino and David Silva likely to operate ahead of a holding man. The star of this team remains Mikel Oyarzabal but Swedish striker Alexander Isak could change that if he continues to develop this season. Ander Barrenetxea is another very promising youngster to keep an eye on.
Sevilla
Key Men – Carlos, Kounde
Sorare Star – Fernando (L15 Average: 60)
Sevilla are hoping to kick on and push the big three again this season and they could operate in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. The key to their team remains the central defensive pairing of Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde while both full-backs offer quality out wide. It’s a team with few weaknesses but it’s arguably one world class attacking player short of being a really top side. Striker Rafa Mir is a good signing and he should compete with Youssef En-Nesyri for a starting role this season while Lucas Ocampos is perhaps their biggest dangerman, although his 2020/21 campaign wasn’t quite as impressive as his first in Seville.
Valencia
Key Men – Gaya, Gabriel, Soler
Sorare Star – Carlos Soler (L15 Average: 71)
Valencia have made a bright start under new management and look to have a very clear idea of what they want to do already. Omar Alderete has slotted in nicely in defence while young keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, initially signed to play B team football, has been one of the surprise stories of the season so far in Spain. Maxi Gomez is someone who divides opinion but he is perfectly suited to playing in a Bordalás team and it’s clear much of their play will go through him. However it is unquestionably Carlos Soler who has been their star man so far. He has been used out wide but in the long-term it’s possible he may ultimately slot back into his preferred central role, with Hugo Guillamón perhaps making way.
Villarreal
Key Men – Torres, Parejo, Gerard Moreno
Sorare Star – Dani Parejo (L15 Average: 59)*
*Arnaut Danjuma has a L15 average of 63 but mostly from last season in the English Championship.
Our rundown of the LaLiga predicted lineups 2021/22 is completed by Villarreal who have Champions League football this season and they’ve been one of the biggest spending Spanish teams this summer as a result. They have competition in most areas, including in goal where Gerónimo Rulli has surprisingly been preferred to Sergio Asenjo so far. They have a few “irreplaceables” though, most notably midfielder Dani Parejo and star forward Gerard Moreno.
L15 averages were taken from Soraredata, an essential resource for any Sorare manager. Players had to have a Sorare card and have featured in at least 4 of the last 15 games to be considered for the SO5 star. Data is accurate as of 15th September.
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