After a defeat for Real Madrid at the Benito Villamarin last time out, Barcelona are in pole position in the title race, although Atletico Madrid are still breathing down their necks. Diego Simeone takes his side to the Coliseum this weekend, while the other title hopefuls are at home. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 27.
Celta picked up a decent 2-2 draw at Girona last weekend, with Iago Aspas again only used off the bench. At 37, Aspas is perhaps no longer in a position to play the full 90 minutes, at least not on a regular basis, and for now at least it seems like Claudio Giraldez is favouring younger players with more energy in the attacking roles. His only absentee here is expected to be Williot Swedberg, with Alfon and Fer Lopez options to replace him.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez – Mingueza, Ilaix, Beltran, Carreira – F. Lopez, Losada – Duran (3-4-2-1)
A brilliant overhead kick from Diego Garcia secured a late 1-0 win for Leganes in the South Madrid derby last time out. It was a poor game in atrocious conditions apart from that, but the late hero will be hoping to be rewarded with a starting role in this game as a result. Otherwise, Borja Jimenez is unlikely to change too much, with no fresh selection issues.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Saenz, Nastasic, Sergio – J. Hernandez, Neyou, Tapia, Cisse, Rosier – D. Garcia, Raba (3-5-2)
Alaves picked up a decent point at Mallorca last time out, but the pressure is growing on Chacho Coudet to get what would be just the second victory of his reign. In-form Kike Garcia has been dealing with a minor injury this week, but is still likely to be risked given his importance to this team, even if not 100% fit. Few changes are expected after a strong showing in Palma.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – M. Sanchez, Mouriño, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco – Aleña, Jordan, Vicente – Martin, Kike Garcia (4-1-3-2)
Bad weather resulted in the very late postponement of Villarreal’s Monday night game against Espanyol. Dani Parejo had been named in the starting XI for that match, but he may drop to the bench here, with Marcelino seemingly reluctant to use him in away fixtures right now. Nicolas Pepe was also in the lineup that was named, and it’s a toss-up between him and Thierno Barry for the starting berth in Vitoria. Kiko Femenia remains an injury doubt.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Foyth – Baena, Gueye, Comesaña, Pino – Ayoze, Pepe (4-4-2)
Umar Sadiq starred with two goals in a 3-3 draw for Valencia at El Sadar last weekend. He’s sure to start again here, not least given Hugo Duro’s injury absence. Long-term absentee Thierry Correia is the only other player missing for Carlos Corberan who has the option of naming an unchanged XI for this must-win home game. Mouctar Diakhaby and Andre Almeida are perhaps the most likely players to come in, if there are to be any changes.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Jaime, Guerra, Barrenechea, Rioja – Sadiq, D. Lopez (4-4-2)
Bottom club Real Valladolid at least stopped the rot with a 1-1 home draw against Las Palmas last time out. They’re missing Mario Martin to suspension here, but he was only used off the bench last time out in any case, so Alvaro Rubio could stick with the players that had the better of that game, admittedly against only 10 players for most of it. Juanmi Latasa came off the bench to score, but that may not be enough for a starting role here, with Marcos Andre likely to continue against his former club.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Aznou, J. Sanchez, Comert, Candela – Nikitscher, Grillitsch – Moro, Amallah, Anuar – M. Andre (4-2-3-1)
Barcelona are in a very strong position to progress from their Champions League tie against Benfica, but Hansi Flick is unlikely to take too many chances with his team selection next week, so it’s still safe to assume there will be some rotation here. Pau Cubarsi should start given he’ll be suspended in Europe after seeing red in Lisbon. Wojciech Szczesny is also secure in goal, but otherwise it’s very tough to second guess what Flick will do, with some of his regulars likely to play for around an hour, and others likely to be used off the bench. Raphinha and Pedri are perhaps the two who need the rest the most having played the full 90 minutes in midweek.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – Martin, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde – Gavi, Casado – Olmo, Fermin, Yamal – Ferran (4-2-3-1)
After returning to the lineup and scoring two goals against Valencia last weekend, Aimar Oroz has picked up an injury that will rule him out here. Otherwise, Osasuna are at full strength, but Vicente Moreno may well go with an extra centre-back for this game which could see Jorge Herrando come into the side.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Herrando, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola, M.Gomez – Zaragoza, Budimir (5-3-2)
Getafe’s good run of form has ended with back-to-back defeats, but they have been boosted by the return to fitness of key midfielder Luis Milla who should come into the starting XI for this game. That means Pepe Bordalas should have a full squad to pick from, with the possible exception of Omar Alderete who is still an injury concern.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Djene, Iglesias – Bernat, Arambarri, Milla, Terrats – Uche – Mayoral (4-4-1-1)
Diego Simeone didn’t rotate as much as expected last weekend, but with Real Madrid and Barcelona to play next week, it seems highly likely that we’ll see a few more changes here. Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth appear to be the most likely front duo, with Antoine Griezmann surely due a rest. We should get a few other alterations from the side that lost 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night, although Simeone’s options are more limited in midfield with Koke still an injury doubt heading into the trip to the Coliseum.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Le Normand, Gimenez, Molina – Gallagher, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Alvarez, Sorloth (4-4-2)
This game comes five days after Real Madrid beat Atleti 2-1 in the Champions League, so Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has had some decent recovery time, but the Italian will still be thinking about how to best keep players fresh ahead of the return clash at the Estadio Metropolitano. With Rayo pretty weak up front, Antonio Rudiger could be in line for a rest, while it seems safe to assume that Luka Modric will rotate back into the midfield. Jude Bellingham is also a certain starter having been suspended for three of Madrid’s last four games. Ancelotti may look to manage the minutes of Rodrygo, Vinicius and Kylian Mbappe, with perhaps only two of the three starting.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Alaba, Asencio, L. Vazquez – Bellingham, Modric, Camavinga, Brahim – Vinicius, Mbappe (4-4-2)
Rayo are having a brilliant season, but they have significant selection issues right now which are threatening to derail their surprise push for European football. They were hit with a big blow last weekend with centre-back Abdul Mumin picking up a knee injury that looks set to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign. Aridane Hernandez should take his place as a result. Iñigo Perez is also definitely missing Jorge de Frutos, Isi Palazon and Sergio Camello here, while he has doubts over Randy Nteka and Unai Lopez.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu – Ciss, Diaz, Gumbau – A. Garcia, Guardiola, Embarba (4-3-3)
Athletic competed well, but have ended up with little to show for their efforts in Madrid and Rome over the past week. They’ll really be targeting the 2nd leg of their Europa League tie against Roma which they trail 2-1, so this is unlikely to be anything like Ernesto Valverde’s strongest XI. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta is suspended for the visit of his old club, while Dani Vivian picked up a knock on Thursday and is a doubt. In better news, Oihan Sancet should be fit enough to play some part, although not necessarily as a starter. Valverde may look to manage the workload of the Williams brothers, with perhaps only one starting this game.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Boiro, Paredes, Yeray, Gorosabel – Prados, Vesga – N. Williams, U. Gomez, Berenguer – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
There are no selection problems for Vicente Moreno right now, so he’s free to pick what he sees as his best XI for this tough trip to San Mames. Johan Mojica is available again and should start at left-back in one of La Liga’s most settled back fours. We may see changes in midfield though, with Samu Costa and Manu Morlanes both pushing for starts.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Samu Costa, Mascarell – Navarro, Darder, Asano – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)
Betis were brilliant against Real Madrid last weekend, with Isco back to his best, but they could only draw 2-2 at home to Vitoria SC in the Conference League on Thursday. Manuel Pellegrini fielded a pretty strong XI in that game and light rotation is expected here. Johnny Cardoso, who was also excellent against Madrid, is a fitness doubt in midfield. Adrian should return in goal, while Cucho Hernandez is expected to replace Cedric Bakambu up top.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Rodriguez, Natan, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Fornals – Abde Ez, Isco, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)
Scott McKenna’s red card was the turning point in a 1-1 draw for Las Palmas against bottom club Real Valladolid last time out. They really needed to win that game, and they’ll have to cope without their suspended centre-back here. Alberto Moleiro is also banned for this one, while Mika Marmol is an injury doubt, so there’ll be some changes from Diego Martinez in Seville. Fabio Silva was fit enough to feature off the bench in Valladolid and looks certain to return to the starting XI here.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – A. Muñoz, Herzog, A. Suarez, Rozada – Campaña, J. Muñoz, Essugo – Fuster, F. Silva, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)
There is a sense with Real Sociedad at times that the cups matter more than the league, particularly at this more advanced point in the season, and we’re likely to see Imanol rest a number of players ahead of their trip to Manchester next week. Martin Zubimendi was unwell and missed the 1st leg of the United tie, so it’s possible he could come in to the midfield here which would be a major boost. However, the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez may drop to the bench, with fresh legs coming in.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – J. Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Olasagasti, Zubimendi, Marin – S. Gomez, Oskarsson, Becker (4-3-3)
Sevilla picked up a decent point in Vallecas last time out, with Dodi Lukebakio again their hero with a fine late equaliser. They have no new selection problems, and will have Albert Sambi Lokonga available again here. There’s also an outside chance that Nemanja Gudelj will be fit enough to start in defence, but Kike Salas and Loic Bade should continue as the central defensive pairing if not, with an unchanged XI very possible.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Salas, Bade, Carmona – Juanlu, Sow, Saul – Vargas, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
Following the postponement of their trip to Villarreal, Espanyol will have gone over a fortnight without a match by the time this one kicks off. They’d been going pretty well under Manolo Gonzalez and there were no major surprises in the XI that the Espanyol boss had picked to take to the field at the Ceramica. With no fresh selection issues, it’s likely to be the same team here.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Gonzalez de Zarate, Lozano, Kral – Puado, R. Fernandez, Jofre (4-3-3)
Abel Ruiz is the only injury doubt for Girona heading into this game, but there could be changes from Michel as he continues to look to figure out his best XI. Recent signing Arthur is pushing for a starting role in midfield, while Arnaut Danjuma is in contention to replace Bojan Miovski up front.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez – M. Gutierrez, Herrera, Arthur, A. Martinez – Gil, Danjuma, Tsygankov (4-3-3)
