LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 20 predicted lineups

For the first time in 2025, we have a full LaLiga matchday with every team in action. Leaders Atletico Madrid travel to local rivals Leganes, while Supercopa champions Barcelona are just up the road in Getafe. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 20.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 20

Friday 17th January 2025

21:00 – Espanyol vs Real Valladolid

Not much has changed on the selection front for Espanyol, with Jose Gragera still their only injury absentee of note. They could only draw at home to Leganes last time out, so it’s possible Manolo Gonzalez might consider changes here, although it’s hard to second guess what those might be. Edu Exposito is fit again and a fresh option in midfield, while Alejo Veliz, Walid Cheddira and Irvin Cardona could be considered should he want to go with a second striker.

Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Olivan, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Lozano, Kral, Tejero – Roca, Puado, Carreras (4-3-3)

There was a vital 1-0 win for Real Valladolid last time out over Betis, their first victory under new boss Diego Cocca. They have no new selection issues, so there’s every chance we’ll see them go with the same eleven this weekend.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Sanchez, Juma Bah, L. Perez – Martin, Juric, K. Perez – Moro, Andre, Anuar (4-3-3)

Saturday 18th January 2025

14:00 – Girona vs Sevilla

Girona didn’t play particularly well last time out, but they won 1-0 at Alaves to make it five wins from eight in LaLiga. Michel is regularly shifting between a back four and a back three, and with a deep squad, there is always uncertainty as to exactly which players will take to the pitch, not least with Champions League football to come next week. There’ll be one enforced change, with Yangel Herrera suspended, a hole most likely to be filled by Oriol Romeu. Miguel Gutierrez may continue in a more advanced left sided role than we’re used to seeing him in.

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

There was bizarre news in Seville this week, with defender Kike Salas arrested on suspicion of intentionally getting booked on a number of occasions at the end of last season, with friends of his reportedly placing bets on the event. He does remain available for selection, but may well drop out of the eleven after an eventful week, with Adria Pedrosa most likely to come in. Orjan Nyland returned in goal against Valencia last time out, suggesting he’s back in favour as the league number one.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Bade, Carmona – Agoume, Lokonga – Saul, Sow, Lukebakio – Romero (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Leganes vs Atletico Madrid

After a decent point at Espanyol last time out in the league, Leganes won at Segunda Division leaders Almeria in the Copa del Rey with a rotated eleven. Borja Jimenez will likely return to something close to the side that last played in LaLiga here. He’s still missing Oscar Rodriguez who serves the final game of a four match ban, while defender Jorge Saenz remains a doubt.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Nastasic, Tapia, Sergio, Altimira – Cisse, Neyou, Brasanac – De la Fuente, Raba (5-3-2)

Diego Simeone’s side also won away to one of the strongest second tier teams in the week, sweeping Elche aside 4-0 with what effectively was a second string lineup. That squad depth could be key with the Atletico Madrid schedule over the next few months set to be very busy. We could see the same eleven take to the field on Saturday that beat Osasuna 1-0 in the league last weekend. The biggest doubts are on the left side of midfield where Conor Gallagher’s place could come under threat, while it’s also unclear whether Jose Maria Gimenez will be fit, with Robin Le Normand set to continue if not.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Lenglet, Le Normand, Molina – Gallagher, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Griezmann, Alvarez (4-4-2)

18:30 – Real Betis vs Alaves

Betis have been pretty unconvincing over the past couple of months, and things took a turn for the worse over the past week with a surprise defeat at Real Valladolid in LaLiga, followed by a heavy 5-1 loss at Barcelona in the cup. They have a major injury doubt over Giovani Lo Celso this weekend, but Pablo Fornals is fit again and may start the game. Rui Silva has completed his move to Sporting, so Fran Vieites should continue in goal, although Adrian is pushing for that place.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Vieites – Rodriguez, Natan, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – Abde Ez, Isco, Fornals – Roque (4-2-3-1)

The performance was better than the result for Alaves against Girona last weekend. We may not see major changes here as a result, although Carlos Martin is an injury concern, with Tomas Conechny likely to replace him if he doesn’t recover. Jesus Owono will continue in goal, with Antonio Sivera not expected back until February.

Alaves predicted lineup: Owono – M. Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco, Jordan – Conechny, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Getafe vs Barcelona

Allan Nyom is the only injury concern for Getafe. They’ve held Barca to 0-0 draws in each of the last three meetings at the Coliseum and a switch to a back five is certainly possible here, despite an impressive 2-1 win at Las Palmas last time out. Diego Rico should return from a ban to take his place at left-back, while Borja Mayoral and Bertug Yildirim are likely competing for one place up front.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Coba, Milla, Arambarri, Uche – Yildirim (5-4-1)

It’s four wins from four for Barcelona so far in 2025 and with five goals scored against both Real Madrid and Real Betis over the past seven days, they should fancy their chances of at least ending a six year goal drought at the Coliseum. As for the team news, an injury for Iñigo Martinez suggests Ronald Araujo will get a run of games in central defence, despite the uncertainty over his future. Meanwhile Gavi and Dani Olmo currently look to be in a close fight for one spot in this side, with the former perhaps slightly ahead.

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

Sunday 19th January 2025

14:00 – Celta Vigo vs Athletic Club

Marcos Alonso is suspended for Celta on Sunday, while Iago Aspas and Alfonso Gonzalez remain sidelined through injury. They took Real Madrid to Extra Time in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, with that game not ending till past midnight, so Claudio Giraldez is likely to shuffle his pack considerably here. Jonathan Bamba, Pablo Duran, Javier Manquillo and Carlos Dominguez are among those who may rotate in.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – C. Dominguez, Starfelt, Manquillo – Ristic, Beltran, Ilaix, Mingueza – Bamba, Duran – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

It has been a pretty poor start to the new year from Athletic Club and Ernesto Valverde may consider changes here, after a strong eleven was defeated at home by Osasuna in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night. They play again on Wednesday in Istanbul in the Europa League, so at the very least we might expect the full-backs to rotate, while Unai Simon, Yeray and Beñat Prados also look likely to come into the eleven. Oihan Sancet is still a doubt.

Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Boiro, Vivian, Yeray, Gorosabel – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta – N. Williams, U. Gomez, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Real Madrid vs Las Palmas

Beaten 5-2 by Barcelona last Sunday in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid won by the same scoreline on Thursday at the Bernabeu, although only after Extra Time against Celta in the Copa del Rey. Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric both started that game, but will drop out here due to league suspensions. Jude Bellingham, Fede Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo all look pretty certain to return to the eleven on Sunday. Arda Guler may also come in for Brahim Diaz to complete the front three.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – Mendy, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez – Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde – Guler, Mbappe, Rodrygo (4-3-3)

There’s no Dario Essugo this weekend for Las Palmas due to suspension, while Viti Rozada also remains out injured. Jose Campaña is also an injury doubt, so Diego Martinez is quite limited in terms of his central midfield options here. Despite losing to Getafe last time out and the difficulty of this fixture, he’s likely to keep other changes to a minimum, with this 4-2-3-1 system having delivered a shock win at Barcelona at the end of last year.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Herzog, A. Suarez – Loiodice, J. Muñoz – Moleiro, Kirian, Sandro – Fabio Silva (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano

Vicente Moreno went very strong in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night in Bilbao and he was rewarded with a 3-2 victory, with top scorer Ante Budimir, who was only the bench in the league last time out, scoring twice. The Croatian will surely return to the LaLiga eleven here. Bryan Zaragoza is nearing fitness again, but it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to play any part in this match. The same is true of Sergio Herrera who was forced off with an injury in Bilbao, with Aitor Fernandez on standby in case he doesn’t recover.

Osasuna predicted lineup: A. Fernandez – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Bretones, Oroz, Peña – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

Augusto Batalla was fit enough to make the bench for Rayo in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, which suggests he’ll be back between the sticks for the Madrid side this weekend. Randy Nteka did start that game, but he’s a fitness doubt for Sunday, with Sergio Camello perhaps returning up top. Pathe Ciss is suspended, so Unai Lopez, Oscar Valentin and Gerard Gumbau are the main options in central midfield.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, Mumin, Lejeune, Ratiu – Valentin, U. Lopez – Embarba, Isi Palazon, De Frutos – Camello (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Valencia vs Real Sociedad

Giorgi Mamardashvili returned to the Valencia starting lineup at Sevilla, with the Georgian fighting back to fitness just in time for the game, but he made a rare mistake at the death as Valencia conceded a Stoppage Time equaliser in a 1-1 draw. It was a pretty good display from Carlos Corberan’s side and he’s unlikely to change much here, with the same eleven possible, meaning Pepelu may again be restricted to the bench.

Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Guerra, Barrenechea – Rioja, Almeida, D. Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)

Jon Aramburu is the most notable absentee for La Real on Sunday, with the full-back suspended. They’ve already won twice this week, defeating Villarreal in the league on Monday and Rayo in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Some rotation is to be expected ahead of an important Europa League game next week in Rome. Sergio Gomez and Brais Mendez were among those not to start the Rayo game, so they look sure to return here.

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

Monday 20th January 2025

21:00 – Villarreal vs Mallorca

Villarreal are in the midst of a real dip in form right now, with Marcelino struggling to find the winning formula. Selection issues haven’t helped, but they are at least able to welcome back Yeremi Pino from suspension on Monday, with Denis Suarez likely to drop out. Juan Foyth played at centre-back last time out, but that seems an unlikely plan up against Mallorca’s towering striker Vedat Muriqi, with a return for Raul Albiol possible.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Kambwala, Albiol, Femenia – Comesaña, Parejo – Baena, Gueye, Pino – Barry (4-2-3-1)

Mallorca will have gone 11 days without a match by the time of kick-off at the Ceramica, following elimination by Real Madrid in the Supercopa semi-finals. There’ll be at least one change to that team, with Manu Morlanes sidelined through injury and Samu Costa likely to come in. That could be the only change, although winger Takuma Asano is fit again and will be hoping to break back into the eleven at some point.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Mascarell, Samu Costa – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Larin – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)