After a busy midweek of league and European fixtures, the Spanish top flight heads into a weekend which sees Sunday’s Madrid derby top the bill. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 8, featuring all the clubs in action over the next few days.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 8
Friday 27th September 2024
21:00 – Real Valladolid vs Mallorca
Real Valladolid made six changes in midweek for the defeat at Sevilla. That was partly a result of rotation to keep players fresh, but there’s also a sense that Paulo Pezzolano is some way from knowing what his best team is. Goalkeeper Karl Hein and full-backs Lucas Rosa and Luis Perez are the only players to have started every game to date. They should continue here, with a fair few changes elsewhere likely again with Raul Moro and Juanmi Latasa among those likely to rotate in.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Juma Bah, Comert, Luis Perez – Martin, Juric, Kike Perez – Moro, Latasa, Amath (4-3-3)
Mallorca look to be really getting into their groove under new boss Jagoba Arrasate now with some positive recent results, despite the injury absence of key striker Vedat Muriqi. They were last in action on Monday, surprisingly upsetting Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin. There’ll be at least one change to that team with defender Martin Valjent picking up an injury. Otherwise, Arrasate may look for continuity which may see Cyle Larin start again, up against the club with whom he impressed during the 2022/23 season.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Copete, Antonio – Mascarell, Costa – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Navarro – Larin (4-2-3-1)
Saturday 28th September 2024
14:00 – Getafe vs Alaves
Getafe competed surprisingly well at Barcelona in midweek and could have grabbed a point had Borja Mayoral converted a clear late opportunity. The striker may make his first start following a long injury absence here, with other light changes also expected. Pepe Bordalas is yet to settle on a clear structure with a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 possible here.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Uche, Arambarri, Milla – Sola, Mayoral, Perez (4-3-3)
Even by the standards of a league which has seen lots of rotation so far this season given the packed schedule, Alaves boss Luis Garcia has taken things to another level. He made eight changes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, and only three players have started more than five of their seven league matches so far (Antonio Sivera, Abdel Abqar and Carlos Vicente). The assumption here is that they’ll switch back to a similar eleven to the one that defeated Sevilla last Friday. Nahuel Tenaglia is their only current injury concern.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Sanchez, Sedlar, Abqar, Novoa – Jordan, Guevara – Stoichkov, Guridi, Vicente – Martinez (4-2-3-1)
16:15 – Rayo Vallecano vs Leganes
Rayo picked up a good point at Girona in midweek, with James Rodriguez not even getting off the bench. They were pretty defensive in that match, but should take more risks here. They have two injury concerns, both of which are left-backs, meaning Ivan Balliu could fill in on that side of the pitch, with in-form Andrei Ratiu continuing at right-back. We could see light rotation elsewhere, with Alvaro Garcia, Unai Lopez and Jorge De Frutos options to come in.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Unai Lopez, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Camello (4-2-3-1)
Leganes didn’t play in midweek, so it’s back-to-back derbies for them after last weekend’s draw at Getafe. Marko Dmitrovic came into the side in goal for that match and looks likely to keep his place after an assured display. They went with three central defenders in that game, which may continue here with Javi Hernandez available again to compete for Matija Nastasic’s place. There is also considerable uncertainty in the attacking areas with Sebastien Haller, Roberto Lopez and Enric Franquesa hoping to rotate in.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Nastasic, Gonzalez, Saenz – Cruz, Tapia, Cisse, Rosier – Franquesa, Oscar Rodriguez – Haller (3-4-2-1)
18:30 – Real Sociedad vs Valencia
There was Europa League action for Real Sociedad on Wednesday in Nice. They got a decent draw in that game, but it’s still just one win and just four goals in eight matches this term in all competitions for La Real. With another European fixture next week, plenty of rotation is to be expected here. Javi Lopez, Jon Aramburu, Nayef Aguerd, Sergio Gomez, Sheraldo Becker, Take Kubo and Orri Oskarsson are all strong candidates to come into the side.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Javi Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Brais Mendez, Zubimendi, Sergio Gomez – Becker, Oskarsson, Kubo (4-3-3)
After a shaky start, Valencia have looked solid defensively in their last two games, keeping clean sheets at home to Girona and Osasuna. There was just one change in midweek, with Javi Guerra replacing Andre Almeida and we could see those two switch again here. The other change we could potentially see is the fit again Hugo Duro returning up top in place of Dani Gomez.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Jesus Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Correia – Pepelu, Barrenechea – Rioja, Almeida, Diego Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Osasuna vs Barcelona
We saw some rotation in attack from Vicente Moreno for the draw at Mestalla on Tuesday night, but he had a pretty settled eleven prior to that and we should see regulars such as Bryan Zaragoza and Ante Budimir return here. Jon Moncayola is an injury doubt which could spark a change in midfield, while it’s also possible that there could be rotation at full back after Abel Bretones and Jesus Areso both completed the full 90 minutes in midweek.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Bretones, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Ibáñez – Bryan Zaragoza, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
Hansi Flick is dealing with an injury-ravaged squad which has unquestionably contributed to his reluctance to rotate, but it was still a slight surprise to see so few changes in midweek for the visit of Getafe. Pedri was the only regular to get a rest in the 1-0 victory, but there were signs of a bit of fatigue creeping in after a stunning start to the campaign for the Catalans. We may see one or two players rested again here, but it’s unlikely to be more than that for what is a tricky fixture. Lamine Yamal is perhaps the most likely candidate, with the 17-year-old having played a huge amount of football in 2024 and also having picked up a minor knock in midweek.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Peña – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Eric Garcia, Casado – Raphinha, Pedri, Ferran – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Sunday 29th September 2024
14:00 – Celta Vigo vs Girona
Celta performed pretty well against Atleti on Thursday, but were beaten at the death with Julian Alvarez bundling home a late winner. Claudio Giraldez has been happy to use his squad throughout the season so far, which means changes should be expected here with a very short turnaround before this fixture. Jailson, Jonathan Bamba and Damian Rodriguez are among the players most likely to rotate in.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Starfelt, Jailson, Dominguez – Alonso, Damian, Beltran, Alvarez – Bamba, Aspas – Douvikas (3-4-2-1)
Michel went with something very close to what might be seen as his strongest eleven in midweek, but Girona were frustrated by Rayo in a goalless game at Montilivi. He has rotated extensively over the past few games though, so we’re likely to see a fair few changes here ahead of their key Champions League showdown with Feyenoord. Which players drop out and which remain is really tough to call. The Girona boss is clearly still learning plenty about his new-look squad and he’s also trying to figure out how best to deal with the added rigours of a much busier schedule this term.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel Gutierrez, Krejci, David Lopez, Frances – Gil, Martin, Romeu, Portu – Danjuma, Miovski (4-4-2)
16:15 – Athletic Club vs Sevilla
Athletic drew in Rome in the Europa League on Thursday evening. Nico Williams and Oscar De Marcos only featured off the bench in that one, so are expected to return to the starting lineup. Oihan Sancet missed the trip altogether with a minor hamstring issue and remains a doubt for this game. Yeray is another injury concern for Ernesto Valverde who may rest one or two of his regulars.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Agirrezabala – Lekue, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Vesga, Jauregizar – Nico Williams, Unai Gomez, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
The suspicion is that all’s not right behind the scenes at Sevilla, but they did secure a morale boosting midweek win. There’s been a blow since then though with Saul injured and ruled out for a couple of months. They are also missing Marcao due to suspension here, so we can expect at least a couple of changes from Garcia Pimienta. He could also opt to bring the fit again Isaac Romero back into the eleven, while Chidera Ejuke is pushing for a start.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Barco, Salas, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Agoume, Juanlu – Ejuke, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
18:30 – Real Betis vs Espanyol
It has been the happiest of homecomings for Giovani Lo Celso who has scored all of Betis’ last four goals, but it has been a slightly disappointing week so far for Manuel Pellegrini’s team overall. We’re likely to see light rotation from their draw in Gran Canaria on Thursday, with changes at full back expected and the potential for one or two other players to return to freshen things up, with a European game to come on Thursday in Warsaw.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Rodriguez, Natan, Llorente, Bellerin – Roca, Altimira – Abde, Lo Celso, Fornals – Chimy (4-2-3-1)
It’s back-to-back defeats for Espanyol, but they don’t have the deepest squad in the division, so it’s not as though they have a host of great options to shake things up here. Manolo Gonzalez may go with light changes with Carlos Romero and Jose Gragera potentially rotating in. Walid Cheddira is also involved in a tussle with Alejo Veliz for the right to partner Javi Puado in attack.
Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Jofre, Kral, Gragera, Tejero – Puado, Veliz (4-4-2)
21:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid
Atleti only had two attempts on target at Balaidos in midweek, but they scored with one of them and won the game. Giuliano Simeone, son of boss Diego, was a surprise starter in that match, but it was substitute Julian Alvarez who won it, latching onto a brilliant cross from Antoine Griezmann. We should get a better idea of what the Atleti boss sees as his best eleven on Sunday. It seems likely that Alvarez will replace Alexander Sorloth in attack, while Samuel Lino and Rodrigo De Paul should also return to the starting lineup.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Gimenez, Le Normand – Lino, Gallagher, Koke, De Paul, Llorente – Griezmann, Alvarez (3-5-2)
Carlo Ancelotti went with his best available eleven in midweek against Alaves which was a slight surprise given it seemed the perfect opportunity to rest one or two players. There can be little doubt that he’ll do likewise in the derby, with two changes expected from Tuesday night. Kylian Mbappe is injured which will most likely see the visitors revert to last season’s approach with Jude Bellingham operating behind a front two of Vinicius and Rodrygo. Luka Modric should come into the eleven, although Arda Guler is an alternative option. The other change will almost certainly see Dani Carvajal return at right back following injury.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – Mendy, Militao, Rudiger, Carvajal – Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric – Bellingham – Vinicius, Rodrygo (4-3-1-2)
Monday 30th September 2024
21:00 – Villarreal vs Las Palmas
Two assists for Alex Baena and two more goals for Ayoze Perez sealed Villarreal’s 2-1 win at Espanyol on Thursday night. Those two should start again here, but there could be rotation around them with Dani Parejo expected to return in midfield after a midweek rest. Nicolas Pepe could also come in, while Raul Albiol is a doubt following a head injury in Catalonia. Eric Bailly may come into the defence as a result.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Bailly, Femenia – Baena, Parejo, Gueye, Ilias – Ayoze, Pepe (4-4-2)
One of just two remaining winless teams, Las Palmas will do well to get anything from this Monday night fixture. Youngster Alberto Moleiro has been the brightest spark for them this season and he scored again on Thursday, in a game which saw Fabio Silva again preferred to Oli McBurnie. With Sandro an injury concern, it’s possible that both could feature here, although Jaime Mata is an alternative option.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Sinkgraven, Alex Muñoz, Herzog, Rozada – Kirian, Essugo, Loiodice – Moleiro, McBurnie, Fabio Silva (4-3-3)
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