It’s Clasico weekend in Spain, with the top two in LaLiga meeting in a huge game in Barcelona on Sunday that will determine whether or not we have a title race heading into the final fortnight. There are also “must win” home games for Leganes and Las Palmas at the bottom, while the battle for European places continues. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 35.
This is a massive game for Las Palmas who are fighting for their lives. They lost 3-2 to Valencia last weekend, with Jasper Cillessen fit again, but only on the bench. He’s pushing for a start this Friday ahead of Dinko Horkas, but it’s unclear who will get the nod at this point. Scott McKenna misses out through injury again, while top scorer Fabio Silva is rated doubtful.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: CILLSSEN-Marmol, Herzog, A. Suarez, Rozada-Bajcetic, Essugo, J. Muñoz-Moleiro, McBurnie, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)
Rayo are missing Pathe Ciss for this game due to suspension, while the midfielder has also picked up an injury. Randy Nteka has also been ruled out again, and given Sergio Camello failed to come off the bench last time out, it looks likely that either Alvaro Garcia or Adri Embarba will start up top for Iñigo Perez’s side who are targeting a place in Europe. Augusto Batalla is set to return in goal, while Andrei Ratiu should come back in at right-back.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Battle – Chavarria, A.
Valencia won in Gran Canaria last time out, with Hugo Duro and Rafa Mir leading the line in that game, while Umar Sadiq only made the bench. Duro bagged a brace and should keep his place here as a result. Enzo Barrenechea is fit for this game, but it’s unclear whether he’ll dislodge Pepelu from the starting XI, but Cesar Tarrega should return in central defence.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili-Gaya, Mosquera, Tarrega, Foulquier-Guerra, Barrenechea-D. Lopez, Almeida, Rioja-Hard (4-2-3-1)
There are three suspensions for the visitors, with Dakonam Djene, Christantus Uche and Mauro Arambarri all significant absentees. Juanmi is the only injury doubt for Pepe Bordalas who will need to restructure his midfield for this one. That could see defender Omar Alderete pushing into the centre of the park, or the Getafe boss could use Ramon Terrats in a central role. Borja Mayoral should keep his place up top, with Alvaro Rodriguez and Bertug Yildirim also in contention for a start alongside him.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria-Rico, Duarte, Berrocal, Iglesias-Bernat, Alderete, Milla, Terrats-Mayoral, A. Rodriguez (4-4-2)
Celta nearly staged a remarkable comeback at the Bernabeu last weekend, but they ended up on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline. Claudio Giraldez should have a full squad to pick from here, with the exception of the injured Carl Starfelt. He may opt for some light changes from the last match, and like all LaLiga coaches, he’ll have half an eye on a full midweek fixture list immediately following matchday 35.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita-Alonso, J. Rodriguez, Lake-Mingueza, D. Rodriguez, Beltran, Career-Swedberg, F. Lopez-Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
Sevilla are still very much in the relegation picture and they are yet to win under caretaker boss Joaquin Caparros. They’ll make at least once change here due to a suspension for right-back Jose Angel Carmona. Midfielder Djibril Sow is an injury doubt, while Ruben Vargas is among four other players who remain sidelined. They may look for a more combative midfield in this game, with Saul potentially dropping out.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nylands – Peter, K. Salas, Bade, John , Agoume – Lukebaki, Peque, Peque, Peque, Pqueque (4-2-3-1)
There was a vital win for Girona on Monday, with club legend Cristhian Stuani scoring for the third game in a row to see off Mallorca. They may yet need one more win to secure safety though. Stuani and Portu are likely to continue here, with the veterans having been drafted into the starting XI due to the circumstances of this unexpected relegation battle. Miguel Gutierrez and Donny van de Beek are both still rated doubtful for this game, with Michel likely to opt for continuity after an improved display.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez, A.
Alex Baena made his return off the bench last weekend against Osasuna, and true to form, he needed just one minute to register an assist. The Spain international should definitely come back into the starting XI for this game. There’ll also be a change at right-back given Kiko Femenia is out injured. Pau Navarro could replace him, or Juan Foyth could shuffle across to full-back, with Willy Kambwala returning in central defence.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior-Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Foyth-Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Pepe-A. Perez, Barry (4-4-2)
After defeat in Girona on Monday, we could see changes from Jagoba Arrasate here, with Vedat Muriqi and Takuma Asano both pushing for recalls. A switch to a back four, and a slightly more adventurous approach certainly looks likely given the opposition. They are missing Manu Morlanes, Abdon Prats and Robert Navarro to injuries.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif-Mojica, Valjent, Railillo, Maffeo-S. Costa, Darder-Larin, D. Rodriguez, Asano-Muriqi (4-2-3-1)
Real Valladolid put in one of their best performances in recent weeks against leaders Barcelona last time out, but they still sunk to an eighth defeat on the bounce. Alvaro Rubio will need to make at least one change here due to the suspension of striker Mamadou Sylla. He may also switch to a back four, while Karl Hein made the bench last time out, and stands a chance of being recalled in goal.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Aznou, Oznou, Ozcacar, Commerce – Juric, Juric – Chuki, Chuki, Auara (4-2-3-1).
Julian Alvarez is the only significant absentee for Atletico Madrid on Saturday night. With nothing to play for, Diego Simeone could respond with some experimentation, and potentially a different system, with Alexander Sorloth expected to start the game, potentially as a lone striker. We may also see Koke come in to make it a three-man central midfield.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak-Galan, Le Normand, Gimenez, Llorente-Koke, Barrios, De Paul-Lino, Sorloth, Simone (4-3-3)
Down in 11th place, Real Sociedad could really do with springing a surprise here to boost their European prospects. They had the better of the Basque derby last weekend but couldn’t find a breakthrough. Imanol has Igor Zubeldia available again this weekend, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be deemed fit enough to start. Major changes are not expected, although the likes of Jon Aramburu, Luka Sucic and Ander Barrenetxea are pushing for recalls.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Muñoz, Aguerd, Martin, Trader – B. Mendez, Zubimendi, Marin – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Cube (4-3-3)
Leganes have drawn their last three matches, but draws alone are not going to keep them in the league, and they have to target three points here. Borja Jimenez will need to make at least one change given Javi Hernandez is suspended. They could also be missing Juan Cruz who is a major fitness doubt. Dani Raba should lead the line, while Munir stands a good chance of keeping his place thanks to a couple of recent goals.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic-Nastasic, S. Gonzalez, Saenz-Altimira, Neyou, Tapia, Cisse, Rosier-Munir, Raba (3-5-2)
Espanyol’s revival has been halted by back-to-back defeats. Manolo could be forced into a couple of changes here, given Omar El Hilali is suspended, while midfielder Pol Lozano is a fitness doubt. Alvaro Tejero should replace El Hilali at right-back, while Alex Kral could get the nod in midfield if Lozano fails to recover. The only other question lies around whether Antoniu Roca or Jofre Carreras starts on the right flank.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia-Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, Tejero-Gonzalez de Zarate, Kral, Exposito-Puado, R. Fernandez, Jofre (4-3-3)
Hansi Flick faces the challenge of lifting his troops, just five days on from another epic clash with Inter which ended in a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat in extra time. Alejandro Balde is expected to be fit for this game, but he may only be ready for the bench, while Jules Kounde definitely misses out again. That could mean we see Gerard Martin and Eric Garcia continue in the full-back roles, but Robert Lewandowski may return up front, after he made his comeback from injury off the bench in Milan.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny-Martin, Martinez, Cubersi, E. Garcia-De Jong, Pedri-Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal-Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Real Madrid’s selection situation has not changed since last weekend, with a host of defenders still sidelined, but Carlo Ancelotti has at least had a full week to prepare his side for this match, and he’s not been hit by any fresh issues. An unchanged XI is possible, with Arda Guler likely to be preferred to Rodrygo again following an excellent performance against Celta last time out. The only doubt is perhaps whether or not the Madrid boss opts to deploy Fede Valverde at right-back or in midfield, with Luka Modric on standby if he goes for the former option.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Assenci, Shot, Vazquez – Ceballos, Valverde
Athletic travelled to Manchester on Thursday without arguably their four best outfield players, so it was no great surprise that their trip ultimately ended in defeat. Dani Vivian will definitely return in defence for this match following his Europa League suspension, but Athletic still have major fitness doubts over both Williams brothers, as well as top scorer Oihan Sancet. Nico is the most likely of those three to make it, while they’ll also have to cope without the suspended duo of Alex Berenguer and Andoni Gorosabel.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon-Boiro, Vivian, Walls, from Marcos-Prados, Ruiz de Galarta-N. Williams, U. Gomez, Djalo-Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
Alaves have only been beaten once away in LaLiga since appointing Chacho Coudet back in December, and they’ve continued to be tough to break down, despite the absence of the injured Abdel Abqar. The centre-back is expected to be the only player they are missing here. An unchanged XI is possible from the draw against Atletico Madrid as a result, although Joan Jordan is pushing for a recall in midfield.
Alaves predicted lineup: Buck -M. Sanchez, Garces, Mouriño, Tenaglia-Blanco, Guevara-Aleña, Guridi, C. Vicente-K. Garcia (4-2-3-1)
Betis are through to the Conference League final after seeing off Fiorentina in extra time in Italy on Thursday night. They are also involved in a real scrap for Champions League places via the league, so Manuel Pellegrini will still be naming quite a strong XI here. He may feel he needs to drop Isco to the bench though, after the experienced Spaniard clocked up 120 minutes in Florence. We can also expect rotation in goal, at full-back and in midfield, while Cucho Hernandez will return up top. Marc Bartra picked up a knock in Europe, and is a minor doubt for this game, with more information on his fitness likely on Friday.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Perraud, Bartra, Nathan, Ruibal
Alejandro Catena is available again for Osasuna this weekend, and he’s certain to come straight back into the defence, after Vicente Moreno’s side shipped four goals in his absence last week. Midfielder Jon Moncayola remains sidelined, but Osasuna should be at full strength aside from that, with Bryan Zaragoza pushing for a recall on the left flank, or even as a second striker, depending on the system.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera-Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areo-Torro, Ibañez-Zaragoza, Oroz, Ruben Garcia-Budimir (4-2-3-1)
