Real Madrid and Barcelona meet in one of the most eagerly awaited Clasicos in many years this weekend. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid travel to Real Betis while rock bottom Valencia head to Getafe. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 11, featuring all the clubs in action.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 11
Friday 25th October 2024
21:00 – Espanyol vs Sevilla
Espanyol have won three out of their last four at home in LaLiga, so Manolo Gonzalez won’t feel the need to do anything too radical here, despite a heavy defeat in Bilbao last weekend. Javi Puado is fit again and should play some part, although it’s unclear whether he’ll be deemed ready to start. Jose Gragera is out injured, meaning there’ll be at least one change in midfield.
Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Jofre, Kral, Lozano, Tejero – Puado, Veliz (4-4-2)
Sevilla were on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline up the road at Barcelona last time out and they’ll make at least one change here with Chidera Ejuke sidelined through injury. Tanguy Nianzou is available again after suspension and will battle it out with Marcao for a start in defence. Summer signing Albert Sambi Lokonga is also pushing for a starting role in midfield.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Nianzou, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Lokonga, Sow – Peque, Rosemary, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
Saturday 26th October 2024
14:00 – Real Valladolid vs Villarreal
Newly promoted Real Valladolid claimed their second win of the season with a surprise 3-2 triumph at Alaves last Friday. Paolo Pezzolano made some surprise selection calls for that game, but they paid off with a vital victory. He’s unlikely to change much here after such a strong display, but Lucas Rosa is still expected to return at left-back.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Torres, Sanchez, L. Perez – Anuar, Martin, Comert, Moro – Sylla, Amallah (4-4-2)
Logan Costa and Ayoze Perez are both expected to be available this weekend in a big boost for Marcelino. Costa should return in defence, but it’s unclear whether Ayoze will be reintroduced off the bench or from the start. Otherwise, no major alterations are expected from the draw with Getafe, although we could see a switch to a more conventional 4-4-2. Of Villarreal’s other injury doubts, defenders Willy Kambwala and Eric Bailly are closest to fitness.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Pino – Barry, Ayoze (4-4-2)
16:15 – Rayo Vallecano vs Alaves
Pacha Espino is the only definite absentee for Rayo, but we could see a couple of changes following their defeat to Mallorca. Oscar Valentin may return in midfield, while James Rodriguez will be hoping to start just his second game for Rayo as the attacking midfielder after Isi Palazon failed to shine in Palma.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Battle – Balliu, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Unai Lopez, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, James, De Frutos – Camello (4-2-3-1)
After four straight defeats, the last of which was a really poor home defeat to Real Valladolid, just about anything is possible from Luis Garcia who may try something different in a bid to stop the rot. He doesn’t really have a settled best eleven in any case, so the likes of Joan Jordan and Stoichkov could come in. They’re also missing Abdel Abqar, the only outfielder to have started all of their games this term, to suspension. Santiago Mouriño should replace him in central defence.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Sanchez, Diarra, Mouriño, Tenaglia – Jordan, Guevara – Stoichkov, Guridi, Vicente – Toni Martinez (4-2-3-1)
18:30 – Las Palmas vs Girona
It was a first league win since February and a winning start for new boss Diego Martinez as Las Palmas stunned Valencia 3-2 at Mestalla on Monday night. After such a strong start, it’s hard to see Martinez feeling the need to change much this weekend. With Marvin Park their only selection doubt, an unchanged eleven is possible.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Alex Muñoz, McKenna, Suarez, Rozada – Campaña, Essugo – Moleiro, Kirian, Januzaj – Fabio Silva (4-2-3-1)
Girona won their first ever European game in midweek, but it was a largely expected victory at home over Slovan Bratislava. Michel has a large number of selection headaches heading into this match with seven players ruled out through injury, while Abel Ruiz, Ivan Martin and Donny van de Beek are all rated doubtful. Much will depend on which of those players are able to shake off niggles in time for Saturday. The same goes for Daley Blind who is training again, but not certain to be ready to start in defence.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Krejci, Juanpe, Frances – Miguel, David Lopez, Herrera, Arnau Martinez – Danjuma, Miovski, Misehouy (3-4-3)
21:00 – Real Madrid vs Barcelona
There were two fresh injury setbacks in midweek for Real Madrid with Thibaut Courtois and Rodrygo both set to miss El Clasico. Carlo Ancelotti’s main selection decision here seems to be whether to stick with Lucas Vazquez after he was caught out in midweek against Dortmund, or move Eder Militao over to right-back for a bit of extra defensive cover. The latter option could also make space for Luka Modric in midfield after the Croatian brilliantly set up the winner in Vigo last time out.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Monday – Mendy, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Militao – Modric, Camavinga, Valverde – Bellingham – Vinicius, Mbappe (4-3-1-2)
Hansi Flick has opted for Iñaki Peña over new signing Wojciech Szczesny, which in the short-term at least removes the uncertainty around the goalkeeping position at Barca, although much will depend on Peña’s form. The defence and attack largely picks itself for El Clasico, but with fresh options in the centre of the park following the return to fitness of Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Fermin Lopez and Dani Olmo, things are less clear in midfield. Pedri looks sure to start and Marc Casado may continue, with neither Gavi nor De Jong likely to be considered ready for action from the off. It may be a close fight between Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez for the third midfield role. Eric Garcia, who is an injury doubt, could also be a more conservative option.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Peña – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Sunday 27th October 2024
14:00 – Leganes vs Celta Vigo
Leganes are sliding towards the relegation zone after their winless run stretched to eight games with defeat against Atleti last time out. Some light changes are expected, but there’s not a great deal of options for Borja Jimenez to turn to as he bids to shake his side up.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Javi Hernandez, Sergio Gonzalez, Nastasic, Rosier – Neyou, Tapia – Raba, Roberto Lopez, Cruz – Miguel (4-2-3-1)
We’ve seen lots of positive things from Celta and they played well again in defeat to Real Madrid last time out, creating a number of good chances against the Spanish champions. Iago Aspas and Ilaix Moriba both return from bans this weekend, with the former certain to start while Ilaix could also find his way into the midfield. Jailson is still out.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, Manquillo – Alvarez, Beltran, Ilaix, Mingueza – Swedberg, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
16:15 – Getafe vs Valencia
Pepe Bordalas gets ready to face his old side having seen his team pick up a really good point at Villarreal last time out. With Borja Mayoral suffering an injury setback that brings his participation into doubt once more, Getafe could simply go with the same eleven again, with no other injury concerns.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Sola, Arambarri, Milla, Perez – Uche – Yildirim (4-4-1-1)
The mood at Mestalla turned toxic once again on Monday with pre and post game protests outside the stadium at Peter Lim’s ownership. A 3-2 defeat to lowly Las Palmas didn’t help things and Ruben Baraja is very much a man under pressure heading into this weekend. The Valencia boss may go with a back three here, with the fit again Jose Luis Gaya potentially starting as a left wing-back. Hugo Guillamon, Javi Guerra, Andre Almeida and Diego Lopez are also pushing for recalls with some changes expected.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gasiorowski, Tarrega, Mosquera – Gaya, Guerra, Guillamon, Correia – Rioja, Diego Lopez – Duro (3-4-2-1)
18:30 – Real Betis vs Atletico Madrid
Betis picked up an excellent win at Osasuna last weekend, but failed to see off Copenhagen at home in the Conference League on Thursday. They’ll be missing Natan due to suspension here, so Marc Bartra should partner Diego Llorente in defence. The absence of injured number 10’s Isco and Giovani Lo Celso has seen Manuel Pellegrini switch to a 4-4-2 with Cedric Bakambu and Vitor Roque up front. We may see a repeat of that here.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Perraud, Bartra, Llorente, Bellerin – Abde, Cardoso, Altimira, Fornals – Bakambu, Roque (4-4-2)
It was another Champions League defeat for Atleti in midweek as Lille won at the Estadio Metropolitano and there’s plenty of head scratching for Diego Simeone to do right now. They are badly missing the injured Robin Le Normand in defence and injuries for Pablo Barrios and Marcos Llorente haven’t helped either, with those two still major doubts for this game. The Atleti boss could give Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth another game to build up their understanding, but he may prefer the safety of an extra midfielder in a tough fixture.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Gimenez, Witsel – Lino, Gallagher, Koke, De Paul, Molina – Griezmann, Alvarez (3-5-2)
21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Osasuna
Imanol went strong in Europe on Thursday night and his Real Sociedad side picked up an important win against Maccabi Tel Aviv. La Real’s level has certainly increased over the past few weeks and we may see only light rotation here from their Europa League outing. Alex Remiro is expected to return in goal, while Sergio Gomez should also come back into the side. There may be a couple of other changes, with Orri Oskarsson and Ander Barrenetxea potentially also starting, with a similar eleven to the one that won at Girona last weekend very possible.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Sergio Gomez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Brais Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – Barrenetxea, Oskarsson, Oyarzabal (4-3-3)
Osasuna have one of the more settled starting elevens in LaLiga with nine players having started 80% or more of their league fixtures so far under Vicente Moreno. Jon Moncayola could potentially replace Pablo Ibañez in midfield for this game, but other changes are likely to be kept to a minimum, despite a first home loss last time out.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Bretones, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Bryan Zaragoza, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
Monday 28th October 2024
21:00 – Mallorca vs Athletic Club
It’s four wins out of five for Mallorca who have been one of the big surprise packages so far this term in Spain. Jagoba Arrasate sprung something of a surprise by setting up with a 4-4-2 against Rayo last time out with the fit again Vedat Muriqi partnering Cyle Larin in attack. The plan worked and it’s possible we could see the same again here, although a switch back to the usual 4-2-3-1 is also an option.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Darder, Costa, Morlanes, Navarro – Muriqi, Larin (4-4-2)
Nico Williams struck the only goal as Athletic defeated Slavia Prague 1-0 at home in the Europa League on Thursday. It wasn’t a brilliant display and Ernesto Valverde may freshen this eleven up slightly on Monday. Oihan Sancet may come in for Alex Berenguer who has operated in an unfamiliar central role in the last two games. Iñaki Williams is also perhaps due a rest, but Valverde may decide he is simply too important to drop on current form.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Agirrezabala – Boiro, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta – Nico Williams, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Cruzeta (4-2-3-1)
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