With the Supercopa taking place in Saudi Arabia, there are only eight games this weekend in the league in Spain. Real Sociedad’s Monday night showdown with Villarreal is perhaps the pick of the bunch, while Atletico Madrid will go top if they see off Osasuna. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 19.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 19
Friday 10th January 2025
21:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Celta Vigo
Rayo have an injury concern over keeper Augusto Batalla which is set to see Dani Cardenas start in goal on Friday night. Winger Alvaro Garcia is also a doubt, so Adri Embarba and Jorge de Frutos look likely to operate on the two flanks, with the latter fresh from a brace in the Copa del Rey. Oscar Valentin and Alfonso Espino are also pushing for recalls after they only made the bench at Betis last time out in LaLiga.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Cardenas – Chavarria, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Valentin, U. Lopez – Embarba, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Nteka (4-2-3-1)
Celta were impressive 2-0 winners over Real Sociedad in their most recent league game, but there’ll be at least one change here with Javi Rodriguez suspended. In attack, Iago Aspas has also picked up an injury that will keep him out for around a month. Pablo Duran and Alfon look the most likely candidates to support Borja Iglesias as a result, with both players scoring braces in recent weeks, although Claudio Giraldez does tend to chop and change his forward players from game to game.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, Manquillo – H. Alvarez, Beltran, Ilaix, Mingueza – Duran, Alfon – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
Saturday 11th January 2025
14:00 – Alaves vs Girona
Alaves have drawn all of their matches since appointing Chacho Coudet as their new boss last month. They put in a decent performance at Mestalla in their last league game, but there are still likely to be changes here. There will be an alteration in goal, with Antonio Sivera’s injury set to hand a run of games to Jesus Owono. Nahuel Tenaglia should also return at right-back, while Santiago Mouriño may also come into the defence if he can shake off an injury.
Alaves predicted lineup: Owono – M. Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco, Jordan – Martin, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)
There was a dominant performance from Girona last time out, as they cruised to a 3-0 win over struggling Real Valladolid. Michel could be forced into at least one change here though, with Yaser Asprilla an injury concern. Arnaut Danjuma and Viktor Tsygankov are options to replace him, or the visiting boss could opt to draft in an extra midfielder for this game, with Yangel Herrera and Oriol Romeu both options.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, D. Lopez, Krejci – M. Gutierrez, Van de Beek, Ivan Martin, A. Martinez – Danjuma, Gil – Abel Ruiz (3-4-2-1)
16:15 – Real Valladolid vs Real Betis
It’s two defeats out of two so far for new Real Valladolid boss Diego Cocca, and two really poor performances including a 3-2 Copa del Rey exit against minnows Ourense. Changes are certainly possible as a result here. In attack, much will depend on whether Raul Moro and Mamadou Sylla can shake off injuries to play any part.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Torres, Comert, J. Sanchez – Rosa, K. Perez, Juric, L. Perez – I. Sanchez, Anuar – Marcos Andre (3-4-2-1)
The big challenge for Manuel Pellegrini over the second half of the season, will be figuring out how to get the fit again Isco and in-form Giovani Lo Celso into the same team. Both started at Huesca in the Copa del Rey last time out, with Lo Celso shifting across to the right flank and we could see something similar here. Betis still have injury doubts over Chimy Avila and Marc Roca heading into this game, while Assane Diao has completed a transfer to Como. Rui Silva also looks close to leaving the club to join Sporting, so Fran Vieites or Adrian may start in goal.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Vieites – Perraud, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – Abde Ez, Isco, Lo Celso – Roque (4-2-3-1)
18:30 – Espanyol vs Leganes
Espanyol are close to full strength for this game, with Jose Gragera the only notable injury absentee. Manolo has a relatively settled back four right now, but places are up for grabs elsewhere. 22-year-old Antoniu Roca is in contention for another start out wide, while Walid Cheddira, Irvin Cardona and Alejo Veliz appear to be competing for one place in attack.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Olivan, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Carreras, Kral, Lozano, Roca – Puado, Cardona (4-4-2)
There are two significant suspensions for the visitors, with both Jorge Saenz and Oscar Rodriguez unavailable for this game. Borja Jimenez could respond by bringing Renato Tapia into the defence and sticking with a back five. Alternatively, he could shift to a 4-3-3 which would likely serve up a starting opportunity for top scorer Juan Cruz.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Nastasic, Tapia, Sergio, Altimira – Cisse, Neyou, Brasanac – De la Fuente, Munir (5-3-2)
21:00 – Sevilla vs Valencia
It’s five wins out of nine in the league at home this season for Sevilla, with eight-goal Dodi Lukebakio the main reason they currently have a significant cushion on the relegation places. Garcia Pimienta went strong in the Copa del Rey last weekend, but a 4-1 defeat at second tier Almeria suggests places may be up for grabs here. Orjan Nyland returned in goal for that game, but it’s unclear whether he’ll also edge out Alvaro Fernandez here. Lukebakio and Isaac Romero should continue in attack, while it’s a close fight between Peque and Stanis Idumbo for the left wing role.
Sevilla predicted lineup: A. Fernandez – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Saul, Lokonga, Juanlu – Peque, Romero, Lukebachio (4-3-3)
This is Valencia’s third match under new boss Carlos Corberan. They lost to Real Madrid in their opening league game under the former West Brom coach, but bounced back with a 2-0 win at Eldense in the Copa del Rey. Corberan went with a strong eleven in that game and we may not see too many changes here. Much will depend on whether Giorgi Mamardashvili and Jose Luis Gaya are judged fit enough to start, with the latter looking more likely to be involved at this point. Luis Rioja could also return to the lineup, while new signing Umar Sadiq is a fresh option up front after joining from Real Sociedad.
Valencia predicted lineup: Dimitrievski – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Pepelu, Guillamon – Rioja, Guerra, D. Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)
Sunday 12th January 2025
14:00 – Las Palmas vs Getafe
Las Palmas have been a resurgent force under Diego Martinez, but they did suffer a setback with a humbling 4-0 defeat at second tier Elche in the Copa del Rey last weekend. A number of regular starters did play in that game, but it wasn’t a full strength eleven. Martinez is still missing Viti Rozada this weekend, while he also has doubts over Jose Campaña and Dario Essugo which significantly limits his options in midfield. Winger Alberto Moleiro should return, having not featured in the most recent league game.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Herzog, A. Suarez – Loiodice, J. Muñoz – Moleiro, Kirian, Sandro – Fabio Silva (4-2-3-1)
Getafe are missing the suspended Diego Rico here, while Allan Nyom is a doubt, so we may see at least two changes from their last league eleven. Pepe Bordalas could opt for a similar eleven to the side that won in the Copa del Rey at Granada last Friday, although David Soria is sure to return in goal, while Juan Iglesias could shift to left-back in place of Rico.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Iglesias, Alderete, Berrocal, Djene – Milla, Arambarri – Coba, Uche, Sola – A. Rodriguez (4-2-3-1)
16:15 – Atletico Madrid vs Osasuna
After 13 straight wins in all competitions, continuity is likely to be the key for Diego Simeone again here. Jose Maria Gimenez is his only notable selection doubt and that may present an opportunity for Robin Le Normand to finally make his first league start since the injury he suffered in the Madrid derby back in September.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Lenglet, Le Normand, Llorente – Lino, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)
Despite the break, Osasuna haven’t managed to get Bryan Zaragoza fit, with the winger unlikely to see much action before February. Otherwise, Vicente Moreno should have a full squad to pick from. Alejandro Catena is available again following suspension and should return in central defence.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Bretones, Oroz, R. Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
Monday 13th January 2025
21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Villarreal
There’s no Igor Zubeldia for La Real on Monday due to suspension, so Nayef Aguerd should partner Jon Pacheco in central defence. Take Kubo is likely to be recalled after only making the bench in the defeat in Vigo just before Christmas. Martin Zubimendi is also expected to be fit enough to start following a fractured rib. The midfielder continues to be linked with a Premier League move, but is expected to stay in Donostia until at least the summer.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Aihen, Aguerd, Pacheco, Aramburu – B. Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)
Diego Conde is still struggling with an injury which is likely to see Luiz Junior continue in goal for the Yellow Submarine at the Reale Arena. Yeremi Pino’s suspension also leaves Marcelino short on right sided options with Ilias Akhomach out long term. He may switch to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, with Gerard Moreno on the right flank. Ayoze Perez remains an injury doubt, so Thierno Barry should certainly lead the line following his hat-trick last time out at Leganes.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Comesaña, Parejo, Gueye – Baena, Barry, G. Moreno (4-3-3)
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