It’s the final LaLiga weekend of 2024, and the Spanish top flight signs off for the year in style, with a huge top two showdown between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. It’s a game, one that was initially pencilled in to take place in Miami, that will determine who tops the table heading into the break. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 18, featuring all the clubs in action this weekend.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 18
Friday 20th December 2024
21:00 – Girona vs Real Valladolid
After a rare free midweek, we may get a clearer idea of what Michel views as his strongest Girona eleven on Friday, although he is missing Oriol Romeu, Viktor Tsygankov and Bojan Miovski. A back three looks likely, while Bryan Gil should be one of the attacking players. Arnaut Danjuma, Abel Ruiz and Yaser Asprilla will fight it out for the other advanced roles, but all should feature at some point in this game.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, D. Lopez, Krejci – M. Gutierrez, Van de Beek, Ivan Martin, A. Martinez – Asprilla – Gil, Abel Ruiz (3-4-1-2)
Despite only having two shots, Real Valladolid were victorious against Valencia last time out. They’ve since appointed Diego Cocca as their new boss until the end of the season. It’s a huge job for the Argentine and he immediately has some selection problems with Kike Perez and Juanmi Latasa suspended, while Mamadou Sylla is injured. Raul Moro and Luis Perez have also both been fitness concerns this week, but could still start the game.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Juma Bah, J. Sanchez, L. Perez – Anuar, Martin, Juric – Moro, Marcos Andre, I. Sanchez (4-3-3)
Saturday 21st December 2024
14:00 – Getafe vs Mallorca
There are no fresh issues for Getafe, who were narrowly beaten away to Atletico Madrid last time out. They may be slightly more adventurous in this game, following some surprise selections at the Estadio Metropolitano. Alvaro Rodriguez may continue up top, but Bertug Yildirim is an alternative option, while Chrisantus Uche is likely to return in midfield.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Churches – Mile, Arambarri – Coba, Uche, Nyom – A. Rodriguez (4-2-3-1)
Mallorca had Vedat Muriqi sent off in last weekend’s clash with Girona, but they still came back to win with Cyle Larin scoring twice. With Muriqi suspended, there can be little doubt that Larin will lead the line here and that may also mean a shift to a 4-2-3-1 with Dani Rodriguez and Robert Navarro returning on the flanks. Midfielder Manuel Morlanes is also banned for this one.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Copete, Valgent, Maffeo – Mascarell, Antonio Sanchez – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Navarro – Larin (4-2-3-1)
16:15 – Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad
Claudio Giraldez has been a bit more consistent with his defensive and midfield picks over the last few weeks, but he has usually got a few surprises up his sleeve in attack. Williot Swedberg and Pablo Duran both started, alongside Iago Aspas, in the 1-0 defeat at Sevilla last time out, but it’s likely we’ll see changes here. Jonathan Bamba, Borja Iglesias, Alfon and Tasos Douvikas are all in contention to come in, with Aspas the only attacking player who looks highly likely to keep his place.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, Javi Rodriguez – Hugo Alvarez, Beltran, Ilaix, Mingueza – Alfon, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
With no European game this week and no more matches to come in 2024, Imanol should go with his strongest eleven here as Real Sociedad look to sign off with a win. That could mean an unchanged eleven from the draw with Las Palmas last time out. Aihen Muñoz and Ander Barrenetxea are perhaps the players most likely to break into the side if there are to be any changes.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – J. Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – B. Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)
18:30 – Osasuna vs Athletic Club
Osasuna are missing Alejandro Catena to suspension and Bryan Zaragoza to injury here, but should be at full strength otherwise. Catena’s absence ought to see Jorge Herrando come into the defence. Jon Moncayola should return in midfield following a ban of his own. We may also see a shift back to a 4-2-3-1 system, after Raul Garcia partnered Ante Budimir in attack in a 4-4-2 last weekend in the goalless draw at Espanyol.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Herrando, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Bretones, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
Ernesto Valverde is expecting to have a full squad available to him here, so we should see a really strong Athletic eleven to end 2024. Unai Simon started at Alaves last time out, but was at fault for the goal in a 1-1 draw, and it’s unclear whether he’ll keep his place on Saturday. Yeray may be preferred to Aitor Paredes in central defence, to help counter Budimir’s aerial threat.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Agirrezabala – Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, De Marcos – Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta – N. Williams, Sancet, I. Williams – Cruzeta (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Hansi Flick has had a pretty clear idea of his strongest eleven in recent weeks, and even a shock defeat to Leganes is not likely to spark major changes. There will be at least one significant alteration though with Lamine Yamal injured. There are different ways Flick could go, with Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez both strong options, but he could opt for Gavi’s energy to counter Atletico Madrid who are full of running on the right flank. Pau Cubarsi should also rotate back into the defence.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Peña – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Gavi, Olmo, Raphinha – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
Los Rojiblancos should be at full strength for this game, and with Diego Simeone settling on a 4-4-2 system in recent weeks that has helped make it 11 straight wins in all competitions, we are unlikely to see any surprise selections. An unchanged eleven to the side that beat Getafe last time out is possible, but we may get one alteration, with Conor Gallagher potentially replacing Samuel Lino on the left flank.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Lenglet, Gimenez, Llorente – Gallagher, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)
Sunday 22nd December 2024
14:00 – Valencia vs Alaves
Valencia remain rock bottom of La Liga, with Ruben Baraja hanging on to his job despite a miserable run of results. They drew at fellow strugglers Espanyol in midweek, with a slightly rotated eleven. Jesus Vazquez, Hugo Duro and Javi Guerra may all rotate back into the side here, with Sergi Canos and Yarek Gąsiorowski also in contention, should Baraja decide he needs more fresh legs.
Valencia predicted lineup: Dimitrievski – Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Pepelu, Guerra – Rioja, Almeida, D. Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)
Alaves have drawn all three matches since appointing Chacho Coudet as their new coach. They weren’t brilliant against Athletic last time out, but it was a good point against strong opposition and we should see a similar eleven here. There’ll need to be at least one change though, with right-back Nahuel Tenaglia suspended. Hugo Novoa may come in.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Diarra, Mouriño, Abqar, Novoa – Blanco, Jordan – Martin, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)
16:15 – Real Madrid vs Sevilla
Vincius Junior is suspended for Real Madrid, so they’ll most likely go with some form of a 4-4-2 system, with Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo up top following midweek goals in the Intercontinental Cup. Eduardo Camavinga is fit again and likely to continue in midfield, while we should see either Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz start. That may be the only change from the eleven that beat Pachuca in Doha, but Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are alternative options should Carlo Ancelotti want fresh legs in midfield.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez – Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Guler – Mbappe, Rodrygo (4-4-2)
This game will bring the curtain down on the brilliant Sevilla career of Jesus Navas, and we should see the veteran winger at some point, although potentially off the bench. Alvaro Fernandez should keep his place in goal again after a clean sheet against Celta. Isaac Romero is likely to return in attack, while youngster Manu Bueno is pushing for another start in midfield after his goal last weekend, although the slightly more experienced Albert Sambi Lokonga may be preferred in this tough fixture.
Sevilla predicted lineup: A. Fernandez – Salas, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Saul, Lokonga, Agoume – Lukebachio, Romero, Juanlu (4-3-3)
18:30 – Las Palmas vs Espanyol
Las Palmas are undergoing a stunning revival under Diego Martinez and they’ll fancy their chances of continuing that here. Youngster Alberto Moleiro is an injury doubt and could miss this game, with Manu Fuster on standby if he’s not passed fit. Alex Suarez may return at right-back, while Fabio Silva looks certain to return up front given his strong form of late.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Herzog, A. Suarez – Campaña, Essugo – Fuster, Kirian, Sandro – F. Silva (4-2-3-1)
Espanyol are at a slight disadvantage having played in midweek, and they head into this game following back-to-back home draws. Jose Gragera is expected to be their only absentee here, so Manolo Gonzalez could consider one or two changes. Either Alejo Veliz or Irvin Cardona may well rotate in up front, while Carlos Romero is also a strong candidate to freshen things up out wide.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Olivan, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Carreras, Kral, Lozano, Romero – Puado, Veliz (4-4-2)
18:30 – Leganes vs Villarreal
Leganes pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent history in LaLiga last weekend, with a victory away to Barcelona. They went with a back five in that game, and while it’s possible they could be a bit more positive here, Borja Jimenez may be reluctant to change a winning team. Enric Franquesa is their only injury absentee.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Saenz, Tapia, Sergio, Altimira – Cisse, Neyou, O. Rodriguez – De la Fuente, Munir (5-3-2)
Villarreal are going through a real dip in form right now, so the last thing they needed was an early red card for Willy Kambwala in midweek against Rayo. They still got a draw from that game, but he’ll be absent here due to suspension. Diego Conde is still out, so Luiz Junior will continue in goal. There should be a number of changes to the midweek eleven, with Dani Parejo and Alex Baena returning from suspension, while Raul Albiol and Gerard Moreno could also rotate in.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Baena, Comesaña, Parejo, Pino – G. Moreno, Ayoze (4-4-2)
21:00 – Real Betis vs Rayo Vallecano
Betis were in Conference League action on Thursday, and are likely to make many changes to that eleven. We could see a similar side to the one that won at Villarreal last weekend in the league, although there’ll be no Chimy Avila after his red card in that match. Assane Diao and Aitor Ruibal are the main options in that role. First choice keeper Rui Silva is still a doubt, so Fran Vieites may be required to continue in goal. Isco could be used off the bench again, as he continues his return to full fitness.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Vieites – Perraud, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – Abde Ez, Lo Celso, Diao – Roque (4-2-3-1)
Abdul Mumin is a big absentee for Rayo here with the central defender suspended. That should mean Aridane Hernandez gets a start at the back. There was a lot of rotation from Iñigo Perez for the 1-1 draw at Villarreal in midweek, but the likes of Pep Chavarria, Andrei Ratiu, Pathe Ciss, Isi Palazon and Randy Nteka should return in Seville. Jorge de Frutos may be rested having started the last two games, with Adri Embarba potentially getting the nod on the right flank.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu – Ciss, U. Lopez – A. Garcia, Isi Palazon, Embarba – Nteka (4-2-3-1)
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