LaLiga matchday 19 preview & predicted lineups

The Spanish top flight returns from a brief winter break on January 2nd with the start of a full midweek fixture list. Girona vs Atletico Madrid is the standout fixture from the top while strugglers Granada and Cadiz meet in a basement battle. Here’s our full 2023/24 LaLiga matchday 19 preview with predicted lineups for all 20 clubs, win probabilities for every game and details on where to watch the games in your region.

NOTE – This preview was published earlier than normal on Thursday 28th December so there may be late team news developments that are not covered.

LaLiga matchday 19 preview – Predicted lineups

Tuesday 2nd January 2024

17:00 – Getafe vs Rayo Vallecano

Matchday 19 kicks off with a derby in Madrid between Getafe and Rayo. The hosts are flying right now and shouldn’t change much after scoring 6 in 2 games against Atletico Madrid and Sevilla. They even have the fit again Enes Unal as an option off the bench. Oscar Trejo is the only current doubt for the visitors.

Predicted Getafe Lineup: Soria – Rico, Gaston, Djene, Damian Suarez – Mata, Milla, Maksimovic, Greenwood – Latasa, Mayoral (4-4-2)

Coach: Jose Bordalas

Predicted Rayo Vallecano Lineup: Dimitrievski – Espino, Mumin, Lejeune, Balliu – Ciss, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Kike Perez, Isi Palazon – De Tomas (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Francisco

19:15 – Real Sociedad vs Alaves

Ander Barrenetxea and Arsen Zakharyan have been carrying injuries for Real Sociedad but the likes of Kieran Tierney and Brais Mendez are fit again which should lead to a strong eleven from the hosts. Alaves have lost their last three and are missing Ruben Duarte to suspension here. Giuliano Simeone is nearing fitness though having made a faster than anticipated recovery.

Predicted Real Sociedad Lineup: Remiro – Tierney, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Traore – Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez – Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Kubo (4-3-3)

Coach: Imanol Alguacil

Predicted Alaves Lineup: Sivera – Javi Lopez, Marin, Abqar, Gorosabel – Blanco, Guevara – Rioja, Guridi, Rebbach – Omorodion (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Luis Garcia

21:30 – Valencia vs Villarreal

This derby in the Valencian region sees both teams having to go without two players due to suspension. Defenders Thierry Correia and Mouctar Diakhaby are missing for the hosts while Santi Comesana and Alex Baena miss out for the away team. Villarreal also have several injury concerns across their already struggling defence with Raul Albiol’s participation in doubt while Matteo Gabbia is expected to return to parent club Milan in January.

Predicted Valencia Lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Gabriel Paulista, Mosquera, Foulquier – Pepelu, Guerra – Canos, Diego Lopez, Fran Perez – Duro (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Ruben Baraja

Predicted Villarreal Lineup: Jorgensen – Romero, Mandi, Albiol, Altimira – Alberto Moreno, Capoue, Parejo, Akhomach – Sorloth, Gerard Moreno (4-4-2)

Coach: Marcelino

Wednesday 3rd January 2024

17:00 – Granada vs Cadiz

Granada have suffered back-to-back losses against fellow strugglers and can ill afford a repeat here with their situation looking increasingly desperate. Cadiz make the trip across Andalusia without the suspended Ivan Alejo while Gonzalo Escalante and Luis Hernandez are fitness doubts.

Predicted Granada Lineup: Ferreira – Neva, Miquel, Torrente, Ricard – Gumbau, Ruiz, Villar – Bryan Zaragoza, Boye, Uzuni (4-3-3)

Coach: Alexander Medina

Predicted Cadiz Lineup: Ledesma – Pires, Fali, Chust, Carcelen – Navarro, Alcaraz, Alex, Sobrino – Ramos, Maxi Gomez (4-4-2)

Coach: Sergio

19:15 – Real Madrid vs Mallorca

Nacho is suspended for Real Madrid after his red card at Alaves leaving them very short on central defensive options for this game. Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to fill in at centre-back as a result but there’s better news regarding Vini Junior who is getting closer to fitness. Mallorca have been in better form in recent weeks but they are missing Jaume Costa to suspension while star striker Vedat Muriqi is still out.

Predicted Real Madrid Lineup: Kepa – Fran Garcia, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Lucas Vazquez – Bellingham, Kroos, Valverde, Modric – Brahim, Rodrygo (4-4-2)

Coach: Carlo Ancelotti

Predicted Mallorca Lineup: Rajkovic – Nastacic, Raillo, Copete – Giovanni, Darder, Samu, Antonio, Maffeo – Dani Rodriguez – Larin (3-5-1-1)

Coach: Javier Aguirre

19:15 – Celta Vigo vs Real Betis

	Celta Vigo	Real Betis
Win Probability	39%	32%

It’s just two wins for the season for Celta Vigo, both of which came against teams currently below them in the table. Carl Starfelt and Mihailo Ristic are defensive injury concerns here while Betis have doubts over right backs Hector Bellerin and Youssouf Sabaly as they make the long trip to Galicia.

Predicted Celta Vigo Lineup: Guaita – Manu Sanchez, Nuñez, Dominguez, Kevin – Bamba, Dotor, Tapia, Mingueza – Aspas, Larsen (4-4-2)

Coach: Rafa Benitez

Predicted Real Betis Lineup: Rui Silva – Abner, Riad, Pezzella, Ruibal – Roca, Carvalho – Ayoze Perez, Isco, Assane – Willian Jose (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Manuel Pellegrini

21:30 – Girona vs Atletico Madrid

	Girona	Atletico Madrid
Win Probability	38%	35%

This is a huge game for Girona who will monitor the fitness of Viktor Tsygankov and David Lopez in the buildup to the match. Both should start if they can shake off injuries but Yangel Herrera remains out. For Atleti, Diego Simeone is missing Caglar Soyuncu to suspension although the Turk was unlikely to start with other defenders now fit and available.

Predicted Girona Lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel, Blind, Eric Garcia, Couto – Aleix Garcia, David Lopez, Ivan Martin – Savio, Dovbyk, Tsygankov (4-3-3)

Coach: Michel

Predicted Atletico Madrid Lineup: Oblak – Hermoso, Witsel, Gimenez – Lino, Koke, De Paul, Llorente, Molina – Griezmann, Morata (3-5-2)

Coach: Diego Simeone

Thursday 4th January 2024

17:00 – Osasuna vs Almeria

	Osasuna	Almeria
Win Probability	58%	19%

Osasuna have endured a slightly below par season but they’ll be hoping to start 2024 with a bang and they should be very close to full strength for this game. Winless Almeria gave Barcelona a fright last time out, but they are missing Iddrisu Baba to suspension here. Lucas Robertone remains a doubt but should start if passed fit while key forward Luis Suarez is also getting closer to a return but won’t make this game.

Predicted Osasuna Lineup: Herrera – Pena, David Garcia, Catena, Areso – Torro, Munoz – Moi Gomez, Aimar Oroz, Avila – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Jagoba Arrasate

Predicted Almeria Lineup: Maximiano – Akieme, Edgar, Montes, Chumi – Lopy, Robertone – Embarba, Arribas, Pozo – Baptistao (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Gaizka Garitano

19:15 – Sevilla vs Athletic Club

	Sevilla	Athletic Club
Win Probability	28%	45%

Sevilla have won one and lost one under Quique Sanchez Flores so far. They still have LaLiga’s longest injury list but the break should have enabled a few players to get back to fitness. The likes of Dodi Lukebakio, Loic Bade, Fernando and Jesus Navas are still out though. Athletic have lost Inaki Williams to AFCON duty and still have injury doubts over Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Oscar De Marcos.

Predicted Sevilla Lineup: Dmitrovic – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Ramos, Juanlu – Soumare, Sow – Suso, Rakitic, Ocampos – En Nesyri (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Quique Sanchez Flores

Predicted Athletic Club Lineup: Simon – Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, Lekue – Herrera, Prados – Nico Williams, Sancet, Berenguer – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Ernesto Valverde

21:30 – Las Palmas vs Barcelona

	Las Palmas	Barcelona
Win Probability	18%	59%

Las Palmas are in better shape selection wise for the visit of Barcelona, although Alberto Moleiro remains out. Barcelona meanwhile are still missing Marc-Andre ter Stegen who’s due back in February while they have a fresh injury doubt over Pedri who’ll be keen to play on his return to Las Palmas.

Predicted Las Palmas Lineup: Valles – Cardona, Marmol, Saul Coco, Alex Suarez – Kirian, Perrone, Munoz – Sandro, Munir, Marvin (4-3-3)

Coach: Garcia Pimienta

Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Peña – Balde, Araujo, Kounde, Cancelo – Gundogan, De Jong, Sergi Roberto – Felix, Lewandowski, Raphinha (4-3-3)

Coach: Xavi

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LaLiga matchday 19 fixtures – Where to watch

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