Real Madrid’s clash with Athletic Club is perhaps the pick of the weekend games in Spain, with both sides returning to domestic action following European quarter-finals. Virtually every game will have some impact on either the relegation picture, or the key battles at the top though, with plenty still to play for at both ends of the division. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 32.
The Espanyol revival continues at a pace and they look to be heading for safety now under Manolo’s guidance. They are missing top scorer Javi Puado to suspension this Friday though, so we could see Jofre Carreras return on the left flank, although Pere Milla is an alternative option. Otherwise, it could be the same side that won in Vigo last time out.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Gonzalez de Zarate, Lozano, Exposito – Jofre, R. Fernandez, Roca (4-3-3)
Diego Rico and Allan Nyom are expected to be the only absentees for Getafe who are hoping their impressive recent away form continues here. There are different ways they could fill the void left by Rico who saw red in the defeat to Las Palmas last time out. One would be to drop Juan Bernat back to left-back and bring Coba Gomes back into the side.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Bernat, Duarte, Alderete, Djene – Coba, Arambarri, Milla, Terrats – Uche – Juanmi (4-4-1-1)
Rayo are not looking great at the moment, but they did renew the contract of coach Iñigo Perez this week. The 37-year-old is struggling to plug the gap left by the injured Abdul Mumin in central defence, with three more goals conceded in Bilbao last time out. Changes to that starting XI are likely, with Pep Chavarria potentially returning to left-back, while Randy Nteka should return up front. Isi Palazon could also be reintroduced in his usual attacking midfield role.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu – Ciss, Diaz – A. Garcia, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Nteka (4-2-3-1)
Carlos Corberan can do no wrong at Valencia right now. They’re not only heading for safety, but will be on the fringes of the European battle if they can record a fourth straight win in this game. There’s every chance we’ll see an unchanged XI here from Corberan, although Hugo Duro is pushing to regain his place up top, while a switch to a back five, with Mouctar Diakhaby coming into the side, can also not be ruled out.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Guerra, Barrenechea – D. Lopez, Almeida, Rioja – Sadiq (4-2-3-1)
Hansi Flick is going to need to juggle the demands of Barca’s busy schedule as they continue in their pursuit of the treble. He rested Pedri in Dortmund in midweek and he was sorely missed as the German side piled on the pressure, but the Catalans held on to secure a 5-3 aggregate victory and the Spain international should return in midfield on Saturday. Iñigo Martinez also looks sure to rotate back in.
Flick may consider resting one or two of his other regulars in this game, but a strong starting XI from the hosts is expected. The main doubt surrounds the most advanced midfield role, with Fermin Lopez, Gavi and Dani Olmo most likely battling for one place. Robert Lewandowski is unlikely to start both league games before next weekend’s Clasico Copa del Rey final, but he could still get the nod here, with Ferran Torres potentially rotating in against Mallorca on Tuesday.
Barcelona predicted lineup (with % chances): Szczesny – Martin, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Kounde – Pedri, De Jong – Raphinha, F. Lopez, Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Carl Starfelt is the most notable absentee for Celta heading into the trip to the Estadi Olimpic. Claudio Giraldez is likely to consider changes in any case following defeat at home to Espanyol last time out. He may favour energy in attack, which could potentially see veteran Iago Aspas drop out, but as ever, it’s hard to know what the 37-year-old is thinking in that department, and he’ll likely have one eye on Wednesday’s home game against Villarreal too.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, C. Dominguez, J. Rodriguez – Mingueza, Moriba, Beltran, Carreira – Alfon, F. Lopez – Duran (3-4-2-1)
Mallorca were missing Vedat Muriqi, but they still won 2-0 at Real Sociedad last weekend, with Cyle Larin and Sergi Darder scoring. Muriqi hasn’t recovered yet, so we could see an unchanged XI this weekend, although Omar Mascarell is pushing for a recall in midfield, and may challenge Antonio Sanchez for his place.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Copete, Valjent, Raillo – Mojica, Mascarell, S. Costa, Maffeo – Darder, D. Rodriguez – Larin (3-4-2-1)
The visitors are also missing their top scorer, with Dani Raba serving a suspension on Saturday which will severely limit Leganes in terms of their overall goal threat. Diego Garcia could lead the line as a result, although 18-year-old Yan Diomande is an alternative option. Borja Jimenez is also sweating over the fitness of defender Matija Nastasic.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Saenz, S. Gonzalez, Rosier – Tapia, Neyou, Cisse – O. Rodriguez, Diomande, Cruz (4-3-3)
There was a first win of 2025 for Las Palmas last weekend at the Coliseum, with Fabio Silva bagging a brace, and Oli McBurnie scoring for the second game in a row. Alberto Moleiro was a surprise exclusion from the side that started that match, but he did come on at the interval and was on the pitch for all three goals. That suggests he’ll return to the starting XI here, potentially at the expense of Sandro Ramirez.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Horkas – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Rozada – Bajcetic, Essugo, J. Muñoz – Moleiro, McBurnie, F. Silva (4-3-3)
There’s a favourable remaining schedule for Atletico Madrid which suggests they cannot be totally discounted from the title race just yet, but there is no margin for error whatsoever as they head to Gran Canaria on Saturday night. Diego Simeone should have a full squad to pick from, but it’s unclear whether Rodrigo De Paul will be fit enough to start the game. There are also questions over whether Antoine Griezmann could be dropped, with the Frenchman having gone nine games without a goal or an assist. Alexander Sorloth would likely benefit if so, while Robin Le Normand is also in with a good chance of earning a recall in defence.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Gimenez, Le Normand, Llorente – Gallagher, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Alvarez, Griezmann (4-4-2)
There was finally something for the Real Valladolid fans to cheer on Monday, with their rock bottom side scoring twice at the Estadio Metropolitano. They still lost the game, but that was perhaps something for their caretaker boss Alvaro Rubio to be encouraged by. He may not change too much for this game, with goalkeeper Karl Hein their only expected injury absentee.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Henrique, J. Sanchez, Aidoo, Candela – Juric, Grillitsch, Chuki – Machis, Sylla, Anuar (4-3-3)
Raul Garcia is the only selection doubt for Osasuna heading into this match, but Bryan Zaragoza may not be ready to start after a lengthy lay-off. The Pamplona-based side picked up an overdue victory last time out against Girona to ease the pressure that was building on Vicente Moreno. With the Osasuna boss not prone to changing things, even when results are not going well, an unchanged XI looks likely.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Herrando, Boyomo, Catena – Bretones, Torro, Moncayola, Areso – Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (3-4-2-1)
Alex Baena is the big injury absentee for Villarreal on Sunday, but they head into this following a vital win at Real Betis last time out in a direct clash between two Champions League hopefuls. Alfonso Pedraza is perhaps Baena’s most likely replacement, but few if any other changes are expected from Marcelino.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Femenia – Pedraza, Parejo, Comesaña, Pino – Ayoze, Barry (4-4-2)
There was defeat for Real Sociedad at home to Mallorca last time out, the latest low point in a pretty disappointing season overall. They were missing their two main centre-backs in that game and that could well be the case again here, with both Igor Zubeldia and Nayef Aguerd major doubts again. The same goes for winger Ander Barrenetxea who is also dealing with an injury, while key midfielder Martin Zubimendi serves a ban. Brais Mendez was fit enough to make the bench last weekend, but his failure to even get off the bench suggests he’s unlikely to be fit enough to start this a week on.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Muñoz, Pacheco, Elustondo, Aramburu – Marin, Turrientes, Sucic – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)
After four straight defeats, Sevilla sacked coach Garcia Pimienta earlier this week. 69-year-old Joaquin Caparros is back for his fourth spell in charge on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, so changes are certainly possible here from their starting XI at Mestalla last time out. A switch to a 4-4-2 is looking likely, with Dodi Lukebakio potentially operating as a second striker alongside Isaac Romero. Kike Salas is suspended, so Adria Pedrosa should get the nod at left-back. Meanwhile, Saul and Juanlu Sanchez will be hoping that a change in coach leads to a recall.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Saul, Sow, Agoume, Juanlu – Romero, Lukebakio (4-4-2)
Alaves will need to change three of their back four from last week’s 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid. That’s because Manu Sanchez and Santiago Mouriño are suspended, while Abdel Abqar has picked up an injury. In better news, Antonio Sivera is available again and should return in goal. The rest of the XI should feature few, if any changes, with Carlos Martin perhaps the player most at risk of losing his place.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Diarra, Garces, Sedlar, Tenaglia – Blanco – Aleña, Jordan, C. Vicente – C. Martin, Kike Garcia (4-1-3-2)
There’s little time for Los Blancos to lick their wounds after a pretty comprehensive defeat to Arsenal in the Champions League. They have two tricky league games and a cup final to play in the space of just seven days, and that packed schedule for Real Madrid will have some impact on Carlo Ancelotti’s team selection here, although he’s more likely to rest players this coming Wednesday at Getafe. Kylian Mbappe is both suspended and injured, so a return to last season’s system with Jude Bellingham operating behind a front two of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo looks very possible.
Real Madrid predicted lineup (with % chances): Courtois – F. Garcia, Rudiger, Asencio, Valverde – Tchouameni, Camavinga, Ceballos – Bellingham – Rodrygo, Vinicius (4-3-1-2)
Athletic saw off Rangers on Thursday in Europe, and Ernesto Valverde may ring the changes here, with another league game to come on Wednesday. Los Leones have all but secured Champions League qualification, so they are in a position to look to keep players fresh for their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United which is only a fortnight away. With Yuri set to be fit, Valverde should have a full squad to pick from, so he’s not exactly short on rotation options.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, Gorosabel – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta – Berenguer, U. Gomez, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
After another defeat last weekend, Girona have to be seen as at least in the relegation picture now, which is extraordinary given what they achieved last term. Miguel Gutierrez is an injury doubt for them again this Monday, but Bryan Gil is their only other significant absentee. With few players currently covering themselves in glory, light changes are possible in just about every area of the pitch here.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez, A. Martinez – Herrera, I. Martin – Danjuma, Van de Beek, Tsygankov – Ruiz (4-2-3-1)
Having had an extra day off than normal following their Conference League game, Manuel Pellegrini should name a strong Betis XI for this Monday night fixture. He has lost Diego Llorente, Chimy Avila and Marc Roca to injuries over the past week though. Llorente is the only one of those currently starting regularly however, with Natan almost certain to fill his shoes in central defence here. Isco should return having dropped to the bench in Europe, while Cucho Hernandez will come back in up top.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Perraud, Bartra, Natan, Ruibal – Fornals, Cardoso – J. Rodriguez, Isco, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)
