LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 17 predicted lineups

With Atletico Madrid on a roll, and leaders Barcelona stumbling, there’s now little to separate the top three in LaLiga. All three will be expected to win this weekend, although Real Madrid have the toughest fixture as they travel across town to play Rayo Vallecano. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 17.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 17

Friday 13th December 2024

21:00 – Real Valladolid vs Valencia

Real Valladolid are set to be under the caretaker management of Alvaro Rubio again for this game, despite reports they are very close to appointing former Mexico boss Diego Cocca. There’ll be at least one change from the defeat at Las Palmas here, with Eray Comert suspended. Raul Moro remains a minor fitness concern, but is expected to make it, while Marcos Andre should continue up front after scoring last weekend.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Ozkacar, J. Sanchez, L. Perez – K. Perez, Martin, Juric, I. Sanchez – Moro, Marcos Andre (4-4-2)

The pressure is really on Ruben Baraja to get a result here, as La Liga’s bottom two meet. Valencia have lost their last two in the league, and Baraja will surely respond by recalling key midfielder Pepelu, at the expense of either Javi Guerra or Enzo Barrenechea. He’s been dealt two big injury blows though, with keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and captain Jose Gaya out, both potentially until January. Stole Dimitrievski will start in goal here as a result, while Yarek Gasiorowski may feature at left-back, with a switch to 4-4-2 possible that could see Dani Gomez or Rafa Mir start up top.

Valencia predicted lineup: Dimitrievski – Gasiorowski, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Rioja, Pepelu, Barrenechea, Diego Lopez – Mir, Duro (4-4-2)

Saturday 14th December 2024

14:00 – Espanyol vs Osasuna

It’s four wins out of seven so far at home for Espanyol, the only reason they are not in really deep relegation trouble right now, as they’ve been shocking away. They are missing Jofre Carreras and Omar El Hilali to suspensions here, so there will be changes to the side that lost at Getafe. One of those should see the available again Marash Kumbulla return in defence. Either Alejo Veliz or Walid Cheddira may also come in up front.

Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Olivan, Cabrera, Kumbulla, Tejero – Smith, Kral, Lozano – Puado, Veliz, Cardona (4-3-3)

The visitors are again missing Bryan Zaragoza, one of the most creative players in LaLiga this term. Vicente Moreno responded by using Abel Bretones as a left winger last time out and that experiment may continue. There will be at least one change from the 2-2 draw against Alaves though with Jon Moncayola suspended. Iker Muñoz will most likely come in.

Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Muñoz – Bretones, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Mallorca vs Girona

Jagoba Arrasate made eight changes for Mallorca’s defeat in Vigo last time out, with that match coming just three days on from a heavy home loss against Barcelona. They’ll be freshly rested here though, so we should see Arrasate pick what he sees as his strongest available eleven. He has two significant absentees with key centre-back Antonio Raillo suspended, while Samu Costa is out injured.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Copete, Valjent, Maffeo – Mascarell, Morlanes – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Navarro – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)

Girona are also missing a defender to suspension, with Ladislav Krejci unavailable here. They competed pretty well in midweek against Liverpool, but were beaten 1-0 to all but confirm their Champions League exit. Michel is likely to freshen things up a bit here. Ivan Martin, David Lopez and Arnau Martinez look certain to return to the lineup, while Abel Ruiz may get the nod up top, in the absence of Bojan Miovski.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – M. Gutierrez, Blind, D. Lopez, A, Martinez – Ivan Martin, Romeu – Danjuma, Van de Beek, Gil – Ruiz

18:30 – Sevilla vs Celta Vigo

Sevilla let a 3-1 lead slip, to lose a cracker at the Estadio Metropolitano last time out. It should be a relatively similar eleven on Saturday, although changes in midfield are expected with Djibril Sow out injured. Albert Sambi Lokonga and Saul could both potentially come in, while club legend Jesus Navas will be hoping to start what’s set to be his final fixture at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan before retirement, and should definitely get minutes off the bench if not. It’s also a toss-up in goal with Orjan Nyland fit again, but only deputy to Alvaro Fernandez in Madrid last weekend.

Sevilla predicted lineup: A. Fernandez – Salas, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Saul, Lokonga, Juanlu – Lukebakio, Romero, Navas (4-3-3)

Iago Aspas was a surprise exclusion last time out for Celta, but he still came off the bench to score, and the veteran forward should be back in the eleven against his old club on Saturday, not least because Fer Lopez is injured. Jonathan Bamba is also pushing for a recall ahead of Williot Swedberg, while it’s always a close battle between Borja Iglesias and Tasos Douvikas for the start up top.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, Javi Rodriguez – Hugo Alvarez, Beltran, Ilaix, Mingueza – Bamba, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

21:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid

Out of favour James Rodriguez is unlikely to feature against his old club, with Iñigo Perez likely to either stick with Isi Palazon as his most advanced midfielder, or draft in a more conservative option such as Unai Lopez. Randy Nteka is currently being preferred to Sergio Camello for the striker role, and that may continue again here, with an unchanged eleven possible from the 1-0 win at Valencia last time out.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Ciss, Valentin – Alvaro Garcia, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Nteka (4-2-3-1)

Kylian Mbappe scored, but was soon limping off with an injury in midweek, and he may not be involved again for Los Blancos in 2024. Carlo Ancelotti could respond by mirroring last season’s formation with in-form Jude Bellingham, playing behind Vinicius and Rodrygo. Raul Asencio could return in central defence if that happens, with Aurelien Tchouameni shifting into midfield. Alternatively, we could see Tchouameni at the back again, with a more orthodox 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 structure that would most likely mean a place for Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz. Ferland Mendy’s injury means Fran Garcia looks nailed on to start at left-back against his old club.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Asencio, Rudiger, Vazquez – Tchouameni, Valverde, Modric – Bellingham – Vinicius, Rodrygo (4-3-1-2)

Sunday 15th December 2024

14:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Getafe

Diego Simeone went stronger than many expected in midweek against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League, as Atleti made it 10 wins on the spin in all competitions. With a free midweek following this, we may see a very similar team here. Unless the Atleti boss decides anyone needs a rest, the main doubt is on the left flank, where Samuel Lino and Conor Gallagher appear to be fighting for one position. Koke and Alexander Sorloth are perhaps the most likely options, should there be changes.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Lenglet, Gimenez, Llorente – Lino, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)

Getafe are missing top scorer Mauro Arambarri to suspension, so there’ll be at least one chance to the side that defeated Espanyol on Monday. 22-year-old Coba da Costa was a surprise starter in that game and could keep his place on the left flank. Real Madrid loanee Alvaro Rodriguez should continue up front, after scoring the only goal last time out.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Coba, Yellu, Milla, Nyom – Uche – A. Rodriguez (4-4-1-1)

16:15 – Alaves vs Athletic Club

Alaves drew 2-2 at Osasuna in their first league game under new boss Chacho Coudet, with Kike Garcia scoring twice. A promising start for the new man and he has a full squad to pick from here. With Coudet likely to be keen to build a bit of continuity with his new side, we could see the same 11 players start on Sunday.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Diarra, Mouriño, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco, Jordan – Martin, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)

Ernesto Valverde continues to take the Europa League very seriously, and his approach paid off with a strong side winning 2-0 in Istanbul against Fenerbahce on Wednesday. We could see light changes on Sunday. Nico Williams is rated doubtful due to an injury, but brother Iñaki should start again after his brace in Turkey. We may also see both full-backs change, with Oscar De Marcos and Adama Boiro potentially coming in. Julen Agirrezabala started in midweek in goal, and currently seems to be ahead of the recently fit again Unai Simon in the pecking order.

Athletic Club predicted lineup: Agirrezabala – Boiro, Vivian, Paredes, De Marcos – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta – Berenguer, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Villarreal vs Real Betis

This is the first of two home games in the space of four days for Villarreal. It will see Luiz Junior make his first LaLiga start in goal, with Diego Conde out injured. Santi Comesaña is suspended, so Dani Parejo should partner Pape Gueye in midfield. Sergi Cardona should return at left-back, while Ayoze Perez, Thierno Barry and Gerard Moreno are battling for two places up front.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Baena, Gueye, Parejo, Pino – Barry, Ayoze (4-4-2)

Betis won 1-0 in Moldova on Thursday night, with Manuel Pellegrini likely to make a large number of changes to that team here, with perhaps only Diego Llorente, Johnny Cardoso and potentially Chimy Avila keeping their places, although the latter could also make way. Keeper Rui Silva remains an injury doubt, so Fran Vietes could get another go in goal. Isco may feature off the bench as his recovery continues.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Vietes – Perraud, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – Abde Ez, Lo Celso, Avila – Roque (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Real Sociedad vs Las Palmas

Real Sociedad are one of the form teams in Spain right now, and they breezed past Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday in the Europa League. Martin Zubimendi missed that game, but is expected to be ready for this one. Luka Sucic, Sergio Gomez and potentially even Javi Lopez could also rotate in for this weekend’s fixture.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – J. Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – B. Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)

Another of the form teams is Las Palmas who are hoping to claim another major scalp, a fortnight on from their shock win at Barcelona. They were really effective on the break in that game, and we could see a similar kind of approach here. The Canary Islanders are hampered by suspensions for Fabio Silva and Alex Suarez though, while Viti Rozada is the third player who will definitely drop out of last weekend’s eleven due to injury, with Marvin Park expected to replace him.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Herzog, Marvin – J. Muñoz, Essugo – Moleiro, Kirian, Sandro – McBurnie (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Barcelona vs Leganes

Hansi Flick fielded what he seems to view as his best eleven in Dortmund on Wednesday, although it was actually substitute Ferran Torres who fired in a brace to seal their 3-2 win. Ferran and Gavi are among the strongest candidates to come in here, but with only one more match in 2024 after this, the Barca boss doesn’t have a great need to rest players. With no fresh injury concerns, we’re unlikely to see more than a couple of alterations, and an unchanged eleven is certainly possible.

Barcelona predicted lineup: Peña – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

This is a big task for newly promoted Leganes. The South Madrid side were beaten 3-0 at home by La Real last weekend, so Borja Jimenez is likely to make changes. One will be enforced, with Valentin Rosier suspended, so Adria Altimira ought to start at right-back. Renato Tapia could potentially drop into defence to make this a back five. Darko Brasanac remains a fitness doubt.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Javi Hernandez, Nastasic, Tapia, Sergio, Altimira – Cisse, Neyou, O. Rodriguez – De la Fuente, Cruz (5-3-2)