Just two points now separate the top three in LaLiga, after last weekend’s Madrid derby draw. The destiny of the title is almost impossible to call, and we might just get another twist or two over the next few days. Real Madrid travel to Pamplona on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both have home fixtures. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 24.
Girona did not play at all well in Bilbao last weekend, and with a large squad at his disposal, Michel could potentially make a number of changes here. One of those could be enforced, with Abel Ruiz an injury doubt, although his fitness is likely to be monitored ahead of kick-off. David Lopez, Daley Blind, Arnau Martinez, Bojan Miovski and Yaser Asprilla are among those pushing for recalls.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga-M. Gutierrez, Krejci, D. Lopez, A. Martinez-Herrera, I. Martin-Gil, Van de Beek, Tsygankov-Miovski (4-2-3-1)
Getafe have won their last three away games in LaLiga, having not won on the road all season prior to that. They are missing key midfielder Luis Milla to injury again here, but we should see a similar XI to the side that won at Alaves last weekend, with new signings Juan Bernat, Ramon Terrats and Juanmi hoping to keep their places.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rich, Duarte, St.
Yvan Neyou is a big absentee in midfield for Leganes here, following his fifth booking of the campaign in the defeat to Valencia last time out. New signing Borna Barsisic tore his ACL just 10 minutes into his debut in that game, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign in another blow for Borja Jimenez. That will spark at least two changes here from the hosts, and it’s likely to be more than that with Sergio available again in central defence.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic-Nastasic, Sergio, Rosier-Cruz, Tapia, O. Rodriguez, Brasanac, Altimira-Raba, De La Fuente (3-5-2)
Tomas Conechny is the most notable absentee for Alaves heading into this game. They were beaten at home by Getafe last time out, and have still only won once since the change in coach, but performance levels have not been terrible, so don’t expect Chacho Coudet to make wholesale changes. Antonio Sivera is fit again and should be the number one once more, not least given Jesus Owono has picked up an injury of his own.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera-M. Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia-Blanco, Guevara-C. Martin, Guridi, Vicente-Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)
There are no publicised injuries for Osasuna heading into the weekend, but they are missing Flavien Boyomo, who scored a dramatic late leveller at Mallorca last time out, to suspension. Jorge Herrando is his natural replacement. Bryan Zaragoza got through an hour in that game on his return to fitness, and stands a good chance of keeping his place here.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera-Cruz, Herrando, Catena, Areo-Torro, Moncayola-Zaragoza, Oroz, Ruben Garcia-Budimir (4-2-3-1)
A few changes are expected from Real Madrid ahead of their Champions League second leg against Man City, but Carlo Ancelotti has limited options in defence, and will still most likely field his big hitters in a potentially tricky away game. Lucas Vazquez is out again, so Fede Valverde should continue at right-back. Antonio Rudiger is nearing fitness, but may be held back for the Champions League. Meanwhile, there’s every chance in-form Rodrygo will be rested, with Brahim Diaz potentially coming in.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Camavinga, Modric – Vinicus, Bellingham, Brahim – Mbappe (4-2-3-1)
Atleti have had a free midweek following the derby draw at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend. With no injuries or suspensions, Diego Simeone is free to pick his best XI here. Samuel Lino may get the nod over Conor Gallagher on the left flank again. There are also slight doubts in defence, with Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina competing for the right-back role, while Robin Le Normand is available again, but not certain to return at centre-back.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Length, Gimen, Lorente – Lino, Barrios, Paul, Simeone – Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)
Celta came from two down to beat Betis 3-2 last time out, with substitute Williot Swedberg netting the winner. Pablo Duran started ahead of Borja Iglesias in that game, while new signing Iker Losada was also a starter against his parent club. While the rest of the team feels a bit more stable, it’s anyone’s guess who will feature in the three most advanced positions here. Duran, Swedberg, Losada and Iglesias are all options, along with Iago Aspas, Fer Lopez and Alfonso Gonzalez who was hauled off at 0-2 last weekend. The Galicians have also lost Hugo Alvarez to injury which will spark a change on the flanks.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita-Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez-Mingueza, Ilaix, Beltran, Career-Losada, Fer Lopez-Duran (3-4-2-1)
Gerard Moreno misses out again through injury for the Yellow Submarine, so Ayoze Perez and Thierno Barry should lead the line once more. Kiko Femenia is a doubt, so there’s uncertainty over who will start at right-back here. Meanwhile, Dani Parejo will be hungry to start against his old club, but it’s possible that he may have to play a back-up role to Santi Comesaña again, with Marcelino’s side in good form.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Count-Cardona, Kambwala, Foyth, Navarro-Baena, Gueye, Comesaña, Pino-Ayoze, Barry (4-4-2)
It’s three wins out of four for Valencia in LaLiga, so things are looking up under Carlos Corberan, although they are yet to win on the road this term. We shouldn’t expect too many changes here following the win over Leganes, although Enzo Barrenechea’s suspension ought to see Pepelu come into the side. Dimitri Foulquier may return at right-back for this game, so Mouctar Diakhaby is likely to drop out, unless Corberan opts to switch to playing with three centre-back, a possibility in a tough derby game.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili-Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier-Guerra, Pepelu-Rioja, Almeida, D. Lopez-Dur (4-2-3-1)
Manolo Gonzalez was forced into a few changes at the Reale Arena last time out, but he could return to the XI that defeated Real Madrid in their last home game. That’s dependent on Pol Lozano overcoming an injury to take his place in midfield. Urko Gonzalez de Zarate should return in the centre of the pitch, having been ineligible to face his parent club last weekend.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia-Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali-Gonzalez de Zarate, Lozano, Kral-Puado, R. Fernandez, Jofre (4-3-3)
A hat-trick from Oihan Sancet continued both his personal and his team’s fine season, and sent Athletic to a 3-0 win over Girona at San Mames last weekend. With no midweek European commitments and only one injury (Alvaro Djalo), Ernesto Valverde should field a very strong XI here.
Nico Williams is expected to be fit, but it’s possible he may take Gorka Guruzeta’s place rather than that of in-form Alex Berenguer who may lead the line. Yuri and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta will also be hoping for recalls, but are not guaranteed starters after such a strong display.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon-Boir
Defeat at Rayo last time out leaves Real Valladolid eight points from safety and with little chance of survival. Diego Cocca is still getting to know a raft of January signings, and he’s likely to mix things up a bit here. There’ll be at least one change from last time out, with striker Marcos Andre suspended. Meanwhile, defender Javi Sanchez is a fitness doubt which could spark some alterations at the back.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein-Aznou, D. Torres, Aidoo, Candela-Martin, Nikitscher, Grillitsch-Anar, Sylla & L. Perez (4-3-3)
There are two major suspensions for Sevilla at the Jose Zorrilla on Sunday, with Loic Bade and Saul both unavailable. Nemanja Gudelj should come into the defence as a result, while we should see Jose Angel Carmona return at right-back, potentially freeing up Juanlu to take his place in midfield. Ruben Vargas ought to keep his place on the left flank, having netted against Barcelona last time out.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Guellas, Salson – Juan, Sow, Agoume – Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
Mallorca are going through a real dip in form right now, but that can’t be attributed to injuries, with only Manu Morlanes currently sidelined, and even he has an outside chance of featuring on Sunday. Jagoba Arrasate has largely kept faith with the players that delivered an excellent first half to the season, and we are unlikely to see many changes here either, in a game the Balearic Islanders will expect to win.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valgent, Maffeo – S.
LaLiga’s other island team are also going through a really poor run. Selection issues have certainly contributed to that, and Diego Martinez is missing a host of regulars here, with Sandro Ramirez, Dario Essugo, Kirian Rodriguez and Fabio Silva all unavailable. Those issues should see Oli McBurnie start up front again, while Manu Fuster may come into the starting XI after featuring off the bench against Villarreal.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Bajcetic, J. Muñoz,
Both clubs in Thursday night action in Europe – Predicted lineups coming soon.
Barcelona were hoping to be back at their regular home by this stage in the season, but Camp Nou renovation work has been hit by delays, with Hansi Flick’s side expected to be at the Estadi Olimpic until at least May. They have at least got back to winning ways at home, and they triumphed 4-1 on the road at Sevilla last time out.
Pau Cubarsi was rested for that game, but should return in defence here, particularly given Ronald Araujo is an injury doubt. In midfield, Pedri is a certain starter, but there’s now real competition between Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casado for the holding role, while Dani Olmo and Gavi are also fighting for one place.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Pedri, de Jong – Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Rayo Vallecano are flying right now, and they are expected to stick with their usual 4-2-3-1 system, rather than switch to a back five as some sides have done against Barcelona. They do have a couple of notable injuries though, with Sergio Camello and Unai Lopez both unavailable for this game. Camello is most likely out until April, so Randy Nteka should get a run of starts up top, while Pedro Diaz and Oscar Valentin are the alternative midfield options to Lopez.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Battle – Chavarria, Mumin, Far, Ratiu – Ciss, Valentine’s Day – A. Garcia,
