Real Madrid have a four-point advantage at the top of LaLiga heading into this weekend. They’ll be hoping to maintain or extend that when they travel to Espanyol on Saturday night, while Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are both at home again. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 22.
Despite facing 29 shots, Leganes dug deep and held on for a 0-0 draw at San Mames last weekend. We may see a slight shift to the system this Friday in a more favourable fixture, but the personnel should mostly be the same. Their only expected absentee is again Enric Franquesa who may not play again this season.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Cruz, Nastasic, Tapia, Sergio, Rosier – Brasanac, Cisse, Neyou – Raba, De la Fuente (5-3-2)
There are no new selection issues for Rayo who are also in pretty good form right now. Randy Nteka came off the bench to score twice last weekend to turn defeat into victory against Girona. He stands a chance of being rewarded with a start here. There is always competition in midfield and on the wings, with Iñigo Perez likely to be thinking about whether to reintroduce the likes of Oscar Valentin and Alvaro Garcia into the side, but their inclusion is far from certain.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Ciss, U. Lopez – Embarba, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Nteka (4-2-3-1)
Getafe picked up their best result of the season last time out, winning 3-0 at Real Sociedad. Two of those goals did come from substitute Carles Perez though, so he may force his way into the lineup here. There’ll also be at least once change in defence, with Omar Alderete suspended. Djene may drop into the back four as a result, with Mauro Arambarri likely to come into the midfield if he can overcome his fitness issues.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Djene, Iglesias – Coba, Arambarri, Milla, Perez – Uche – Yildirim (4-4-1-1)
The visitors can recall Adria Pedrosa and Isaac Romero from suspension this weekend. Both should start, although Romero has been the subject of transfer speculation this week with interest from Roma. There also appears to be a close battle between Ruben Vargas and Chidera Ejuke for the left wing role. Orjan Nyland looks cemented as the number one again, following the recent run of games for Alvaro Fernandez.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Saul, Sow, Lokonga – Ejuke, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
There was a good point in Madrid last weekend for Villarreal, and they can now look forward to a much more favourable run of fixtures. Marcelino doesn’t appear to have fully settled on his best eleven yet, with uncertainty in goal, in central defence, and up front where Ayoze Perez is currently just behind Gerard Moreno and Thierno Barry in the pecking order. Injury ruled Dani Parejo out last weekend, but the midfielder could return on Saturday. Juan Foyth could also return to the lineup in place of Willy Kambwala, although speculation surrounding a potential move to Aston Villa for Foyth has not completely gone away.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Femenia – Baena, Gueye, Parejo, Pino – G. Moreno, Barry (4-4-2)
After a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid last time out, it’s another tough game for Real Valladolid who have made two new signings with Tamas Nikitscher and Joseph Aidoo arriving this week. Both could feature at the Ceramica. Raul Moro and Eray Comert are both still sidelined, but there are no fresh selection issues for Diego Cocca.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, J. Sanchez, D. Torres, L. Perez – Anuar, Juric, Nikitscher – Sylla, Andre & I. Sanchez (4-3-3)
The games are coming thick and fast for Atletico Madrid, and Diego Simeone is attempting to manage the workload of his key players. Rodrigo De Paul and Antoine Griezmann were both left on the bench against Villarreal last time out in LaLiga, before returning to a strong XI which won 4-1 at Salzburg in midweek. There’ll be at least one chance from that side on Saturday, as a result of De Paul’s suspension. Others are likely too, with Conor Gallagher, Jose Maria Gimenez and Nahuel Molina potentially rotating in. It’s also a toss-up between Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth up front, with the former one booking away from a ban that would see him miss next weekend’s Madrid derby.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Lenglet, Gimenez, Molina – Gallagher, Barrios, Koke, Simeone – Griezmann, Sorloth (4-4-2)
There was a disappointing result for Mallorca last time out, as they lost at home to an injury-ravaged Real Betis side. Omar Mascarell was sent off in that game and won’t feature this weekend as a result. Pablo Maffeo is also an injury doubt, with Mateu Morey on standby to start at right-back. With midfield options further limited by injuries for Manu Morlanes and Antonio Sanchez, a more conventional 4-4-2 could be in order for Jagoba Arrasate here.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Morey – D. Rodriguez, Darder, S. Costa, Navarro – Larin, Muriqi (4-4-2)
Espanyol collected just their second away point of the season, with a 1-1 draw at Sevilla last time out. It was a pretty good performance and Manolo may look to field a similar XI here, although there’ll be a change at left-back, with Carlos Romero expected to replace the injured Brian Olivan.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Tejero, Lozano, Kral, Carreras – Puado & R. Fernandez (4-4-2)
It has been a busy fortnight for Real Madrid, and Carlo Ancelotti went strong at Brest in the Champions League in midweek. He has been reluctant to rest his biggest stars in LaLiga, and that points to the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde starting again here. Vinicius Junior is also certain to return having been suspended for three of their last four games, but we should see some rotation elsewhere. There’s uncertainty as to whether Rodrygo will start, while the back four is tough to read here, with at least two of David Alaba, Fran Garcia and Raul Asencio likely to come in.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Alaba, Rudiger, Vazquez – Ceballos, Valverde – Vinicius, Bellingham, Rodrygo – Mbappe (4-2-3-1)
There was no Robert Lewandowski, Gavi or Pedri for Barcelona in the starting XI against Valencia last weekend. A dominant 7-1 win, with the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez impressing, may not alter Flick’s thinking in terms of his best lineup, but it may just convince the German that he can rotate a little more frequently. This is another game where some changes are possible following a Champions League clash with Atalanta in midweek. Pau Cubarsi and Marc Casado should return after they both dropped to the bench for that one. Alejandro Balde looks a strong candidate for a rest, while it’s possible that one of the front three could also drop out. Meanwhile, despite a number of shaky displays, Wojciech Szczesny is starting to look like Flick’s clear first choice in goal.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – G. Martin, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Raphinha, F. Lopez, Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Alaves only managed to have three shots in their 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo last weekend, but they’ve been doing reasonably well under Chacho Coudet overall. He’ll need to make at least one change here with Abdel Abqar suspended. Santiago Mouriño is his most likely replacement. Midfielder Joan Jordan remains an injury doubt, but may well start if passed fit. Carlos Martin is also pushing for a recall on the left flank.
Alaves predicted lineup: Owono – M. Sanchez, Diarra, Mouriño, Tenaglia – Blanco, Guevara – C. Martin, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)
After conceding seven in Barcelona, Carlos Corberan will at least be able to recall Christian Mosquera in defence after the youngster served a suspension at the Estadi Olimpic. New signing Max Aarons is also pushing for a start at right-back. Further up the field, the home team have fitness doubts over Hugo Duro and Enzo Barrenechea. Both should play if passed fit, but Umar Sadiq and Pepelu could feature if not.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Aarons – Guerra, Pepelu – Rioja, Almeida, D. Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)
Claudio Giraldez has big problems on the selection front this weekend, with Oscar Mingueza, Marcos Alonso and Hugo Alvarez all suspended. Iago Aspas is also expected to miss out through injury again. That leaves Williot Swedberg, Pablo Duran and Franco Cervi most likely competing for two places behind Borja Iglesias in attack.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – J. Rodriguez, Starfelt, Lago – Ristic, Beltran, Ilaix, Carreira – Swedberg, Duran – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
Bryan Zaragoza should finally be available again for Osasuna this weekend, but he may only be introduced off the bench following a broken metatarsal. Vicente Moreno should have a full squad to pick from as a result. Iker Muñoz was preferred to Lucas Torro in midfield last time out, so there’s some uncertainty in midfield, but Moreno doesn’t tend to make many changes.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – K. Barja, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
After a busy January, there’s no letting up in February for Real Sociedad, with a Europa League play-off and a Copa del Rey quarter-final against this weekend’s opponents Osasuna, on the immediate horizon. After a horror-show at home to Getafe last weekend, Imanol made changes on Thursday and young striker Orri Oskarsson impressed with a brace in a 2-0 win over PAOK which may put him in contention for a starting role here. Take Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal will also be hoping to rotate into the attack, but Sergio Gomez could potentially get a rest having started the last two matches.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – J. Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Sucic, Zubimendi, B. Mendez – Oyarzabal, Oskarsson, Kubo (4-3-3)
Four B-team players featured for Betis last weekend at Mallorca such were their selection issues, so it was a big surprise to see them still manage to win that game 1-0 at the death. Manuel Pellegrini has more availability this Sunday, but he’s still missing Hector Bellerin, William Carvalho, Youssuf Sabaly and Aitor Ruibal to injuries. Pablo Fornals and Chimy Avila are also both doubts. Giovani Lo Celso could feature again, although Pellegrini is yet to find the right formula for fitting both the Argentine and Isco in this side. Johnny Cardoso has been linked with a move away, but should start if there are no fresh developments on that front.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Perraud, Natan, Llorente, Bartra – Roca, Cardoso – Abde Ez, Isco, Jesus – Roque (4-2-3-1)
Athletic were in Europa League action on Thursday, securing a top-eight finish with a 3-1 win over Viktoria Plzen. That means they have free midweeks throughout February, so Ernesto Valverde may feel as though he doesn’t need to rest many players here, although the full-backs may rotate again. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta is the only expected injury absentee, with Oihan Sancet fit again and potentially a starter.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Boiro, Vivian, Yeray, Gorosabel – Vesga, Jauregizar – N. Williams, Sancet, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
Having exited the Champions League and the Copa del Rey, the league is the only remaining focus for Girona. Playing on Monday in this one, means Michel’s players will have a chance to catch their breath after playing Arsenal on Wednesday night. Rotation shouldn’t be a major consideration as a result, although the Catalans have fitness doubts over defenders Miguel Gutierrez, Daley Blind and Ladislav Krejci. Their back four will hugely depend on which of those players recover. Paulo Gazzaniga is expected to be fit, while fellow keeper Pau Lopez has left to join Liga MX club Toluca.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, D. Lopez, Juanpe, A. Martinez – Herrera, I. Martin – Gil, Van de Beek, Tsygankov – Ruiz (4-2-3-1)
Dario Essugo begins a three-game ban for Las Palmas in a significant blow to their midfield plans over the next few weeks. Javi Muñoz could fill in, while new signing Andy Pelmard may make his first start in defence here. There was a rare start for Manu Fuster against Osasuna last time out, but he’ll face competition from Adnan Januzaj at Montilivi.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Pelmard – Kirian, J. Muñoz – Januzaj, Moleiro, Sandro – Fabio Silva (4-2-3-1)
