There are eight midweek matches in the Spanish top flight with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all in action. We’ve also got some big games at the bottom end with pressure already building on a number of struggling coaches. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for the remaining fixtures on matchday 7.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 7
Tuesday 24th September 2024
19:00 – Sevilla vs Real Valladolid
As has sadly become the norm at Sevilla in recent years, there’s already a sense that all is not right with Garcia Pimienta in real need of a win here after some surprising selection calls did not pay off at Alaves on Friday night. We could see a number of changes here, with Valentin Barco, Loic Bade and Chidera Ejuke potentially coming in. Isaac Romero is an injury concern, so we may see Kelechi Iheanacho lead the line.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Barco, Marcao, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Saul, Juanlu – Ejuke, Iheanacho, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
Newly promoted Real Valladolid have kept three clean sheets at home, but have let in 13 away and Paulo Pezzolano’s priority here may be ensuring his team keep things much tighter than in recent road games, which admittedly have been tough fixtures. He’ll need to make at least one change at the back with Cenk Ozkacar injured. There are also places up for grabs in attack after another scoreless encounter against Real Sociedad at the weekend. None of his forward or wide options are guaranteed of a start right now.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Juma Bah, Comert, Luis Perez – Meseguer, Juric, Kike Perez – Sanchez, Sylla, Amath (4-3-3)
19:00 – Valencia vs Osasuna
Valencia picked up their first win of the season last time out to ease the pressure that was just starting to build on Ruben Baraja. He may be tempted to go with a very similar eleven to the one that started the 2-0 triumph over Girona. Hugo Duro remains an injury doubt, but has an outside chance of recovering in time to play some part here. If there are to be changes, Hugo Guillamon, Andre Almeida and Dimitri Foulquier are perhaps the most viable options, but it could potentially be the same team with no fresh injury concerns.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Jesus Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Correia – Pepelu, Guerra, Barrenechea – Rioja, Dani Gomez, Diego Lopez (4-3-3)
It’s 10 home points, but none on the road for Osasuna so far. Vicente Moreno could opt to do something slightly different tactically here following a couple of abject away performances that have seen them ship seven goals. However, he has been pretty consistent with his team selection compared to other coaches in LaLiga during this busy start to the campaign, so wholesale alterations are not expected. There are no fresh injuries, so it could just be some light changes at full back and perhaps one or two other areas.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Vidal – Torro, Ibáñez – Bryan Zaragoza, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Real Madrid vs Alaves
Vinicius Junior and Antonio Rudiger were the big names to be rested at the weekend as Real Madrid demolished Espanyol 4-1, largely thanks to Vinicius’ impact off the bench in the Second Half. It seems safe to assume those two will return here against Alaveswhile Lucas Vazquez should start at right-back with Dani Carvajal carrying an injury. The two players to have clocked up the most minutes so far this term for Real Madrid are Fede Valverde and Kylian Mbappe. It’s very possible that one or both could be rested ahead of Sunday’s Madrid derby, meanwhile 18-year-old Endrick stands a decent chance of making his first start for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – Mendy, Militao, Rudiger, Vazquez – Bellingham, Tchouameni, Modric – Vinicius, Endrick, Rodrygo (4-3-3)
Only three outfielders have started more than four of Alaves’ opening six fixtures which tells you plenty about Luis Garcia’s mindset and his desire to have genuine competition in every position. The suggestion is that he could change most of his team in this match, despite beating Sevilla 2-1 last time out. The only notable selection issues are at right back with Nahuel Tenaglia injured and Hugo Novoa rated doubtful.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Diarra, Mouriño, Abqar, Novoa – Blanco, Guevara – Conechny, Guridi, Romero – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)
Wednesday 25th September 2024
19:00 – Girona vs Rayo Vallecano
This new-look Girona side is still a bit of a mixed picture with Michel’s extensive rotation not really working over the past three games that have all ended in defeat. Bryan Gil, Miguel Gutierrez, Yangel Herrera, David Lopez, Viktor Tsygankov and Ivan Martin were all only on the bench at Mestalla at the weekend. All of those players could rotate back in here. Portu is their only notable selection doubt.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel Gutierrez, Blind, David Lopez, Frances – Romeu, Herrera, Martin – Gil, Ruiz, Tsygankov (4-3-3)
Rayo have been one of the surprise packages so far with some good performances suggesting they may be able to steer clear of the relegation scrap this term. They competed well in the derby draw against Atleti at the weekend and on current form, big name signing James Rodriguez may face a real battle to get into this eleven. We may only see light changes from the visitors with Ivan Balliu perhaps rotating in at right-back while Oscar Valentin could get the nod in midfield.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Battle – Chavarria, Mumin, Lejeune, Balliu – Lopez, Valentin – Embarba, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Camello (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Barcelona vs Getafe
Barcelona’s weekend featured another big win, but also another big injury blow with Marc-Andre ter Stegen now expected to miss the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee problem. Iñaki Peña will take over in goal as a result. Hansi Flick rested Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado against Villarreal on Sunday which strongly suggests those three will return for this game. He’s likely to hand a few of his other regulars a rest here. Raphinha has played every minute since the international break and is perhaps the strongest candidate to drop out. Iñigo Martínez, Jules Kounde, Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski have also started the last three and it’s likely that one or two of those will also drop out on Wednesday night.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Peña-Balde, Eric Garcia, Cubarsi, Kounde-Pedri, Casado-Ferran, Torre, Lamine Yamal-Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Getafe grabbed a late point in the South Madrid derby on Sunday with the fit again Borja Mayoral scoring a penalty. His return is a badly needed boost, but it’s unclear whether or not Pepe Bordalas will decide to hand him a first start here, or give him minutes off the bench again and save him for the weekend. A very defensive set-up is expected with the Getafe coach likely to go with a back five again, having switched to a 5-3-2 against Leganes. Nabil Aberdin remains an injury doubt.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Berrocal, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Uche, Arambarri, Milla, Sola – Yildirim (5-4-1)
Thursday 26th September 2024
19:00 – Las Palmas vs Real Betis
Las Palmas are bottom of LaLiga after their latest defeat at Osasuna on Saturday. Some significant defensive injury problems are not helping matters, with Mika Marmol, Scott McKenna and Marvin Park all likely to be sidelined here. That will spark changes at the back and Luis Carrion does have options in midfield. Oli McBurnie may also rotate back in up front, in place of Fabio Silva.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Sinkgraven, Alex Muñoz, Herzog, Rozada – Kirian, Essugo, Javier Muñoz – Moleiro, McBurnie, Sandro (4-3-3)
Betis suffered a surprise late home defeat against Mallorca on Monday night to burst their bubble slightly after back-to-back victories. Manuel Pellegrini rarely needs much of an invitation to rotate and he could ring the changes here with three more games after this to squeeze in before the international break. He is a bit short on options in midfield and defence though given injuries to the likes of William Carvalho and Isco.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Perraud, Natan, Llorente, Ruibal – Roca, Altimira – Juanmi, Lo Celso, Fornals – Bakambu (4-2-3-1)
19:00 – Espanyol vs Villarreal
Espanyol took the lead at the Bernabeu on Saturday, but were ultimately blown away. They’ve been strong at home of late though and Manolo Gonzalez should go strong here, given his team have had a longer break than most sides. He could go 3-5-2 again, although a switch to 4-4-2 is perhaps more likely with Alejo Véliz potentially returning up top to partner Javi Puado who fired in a hat-trick in their last home game.
Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Jofre, Kral, Aguado, Tejero – Puado, Veliz (4-4-2)
Villarreal were on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline against Barcelona at the weekend, but it could have been a good deal closer with the Yellow Submarine having three goals ruled out. Defensively, there are clearly still flaws for Marcelino to address. He may well make changes on Thursday, with Luiz Junior pushing for a start in goal, while Raul Albiol and Bernat could be drafted into the back four. Dani Parejo could also be rested with Pape Gueye, Thierno Barry and Ilias all strong candidates to rotate in.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Count – Bernat, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Baena, Comesaña, Gueye, Ilias – Ayoze, Barry (4-4-2)
21:00 – Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid
It’s three wins, three defeats, 14 scored and 13 conceded for Celta so far. They’ve been a good watch with Claudio Giraldez another LaLiga boss who is happy to chop and change his eleven on a weekly basis. That should continue here and there’ll be at least one alteration in any case given in-form Oscar Mingueza has been ruled out due to injury. The likes of Williot Swedberg, Borja Iglesias, Marcos Alonso and Ilaix Moriba could rotate in, while Giraldez must decide whether or not 37-year-old Iago Aspas needs a rest or is good to go again.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Starfelt, Jailson, Javi Rodriguez – Alonso, Moriba, Beltran, Alvarez – Swedbeg, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
This is a really important week for Atleti with a tough trip to Balaidos, immediately followed by the Madrid derby at the Estadio Metropolitano. Diego Simeone will understandably want to keep players fresh for that, but given Barca’s 100% start, he can ill afford to drop more points here after Sunday’s draw in Vallecas. Robin Le Normand, Antoine Griezmann and Jose Maria Gimenez were all rested for that match and should return on Thursday. Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth could both potentially drop out. Simeone may also be keen to rest Koke, but midfield rotation options are more limited with Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar all rated doubtful.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Gimenez, Le Normand – Riquelme, Gallagher, Koke, Llorente, Molina – Griezmann, Correa (3-5-2)
Comments are closed.