LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 23 predicted lineups

It’s the Madrid derby this weekend in Spain and it’s also a top two clash, so all eyes will be firmly on the Bernabeu on Saturday night. Barcelona will make up some ground on at least one of the Madrid clubs if they can win at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, while there’s a crunch clash at the bottom between Valencia and Leganes. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 23.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 23

Friday 7th February 2025

21:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Real Valladolid

Rayo are in good form and looking like surprise European contenders. They’ll be forced into one change following their 1-0 win at Leganes last time out, with Sergio Camello likely to replace the suspended Randy Nteka up top. Otherwise, Iñigo Perez could go with the same players that won at Butarque.

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

In the end, Real Valladolid were the most active club in the January transfer window in LaLiga. However, if anything, they look in even worse shape now, with Juma Bah, Lucas Rosa and Kike Perez all departing. They did add a number of players, and after a 5-1 defeat at Villarreal last time out, it’s likely some of those will feature here. Celta Vigo loanee Joseph Aidoo could come into the side in central defence. Tamas Nikitscher and Florian Grillitsch are fresh midfield arrivals and could also come into consideration. 

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – D. Torres, Aidoo, J. Sanchez, L. Perez – Juric, Nikitscher, Grillitsch – Amallah, Andre, Anuar (4-3-3)

Saturday 8th February 2025

14:00 – Celta Vigo vs Real Betis

Celta are missing Carl Starfelt and Ilaix Moriba due to suspension this weekend. Iago Aspas is nearing fitness, but remains a doubt, while Franco Cervi is a new injury absentee. With just one point so far in 2025, Claudio Giraldez may consider other changes as well here, as he aims to get this side back on track. Iker Losada is a fresh option up front and is eligible to play, after joining on loan from Saturday’s opponents Real Betis.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Lago, J. Rodriguez – H. Alvarez, Sotelo, Beltran, Mingueza – Duran, Alfon – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

It has been another busy window at the Benito Villamarin, with Cucho Hernandez and Antony arriving, while first choice keeper Rui Silva departed. While the Real Betis transfer strategy doesn’t always make a great deal of sense, Manuel Pellegrini does have greater attacking options now, and Antony impressed on debut last weekend.

Injuries in recent weeks have served up opportunities for Angel Ortiz and Jesus Rodriguez, and they’ve done well enough to suggest they may compete for a starting role again this weekend. It’s also very tough to call who will start up top, with Cucho, Cedric Bakambu and Vitor Roque all options for Betis, who also play in Europe next Thursday.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Perraud, Natan, Llorente, Ortiz – Altimira, Cardoso – Jesus, Isco, Antony – Bakambu (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Athletic Club vs Girona

With no midweek games either side of this, Ernesto Valverde has no reason not to pick his best lineup here, although he is expected to be without the services of the injured Nico Williams and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta. The absence of the former, suggests Alex Berenguer should start on the left flank. Oihan Sancet is available again following injury, and he was on target in the draw at the Benito Villamarin last time out.

Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, De Marcos – Prados, Jauregizar – Berenguer, Sancet, I. Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

Girona are hoping to have a full squad available for this game, and with no more cup distractions, we may finally get some idea as to what Michel sees as his best XI. They were 2-1 winners over Las Palmas last time out, and we may see a relatively similar lineup here, although at least one change in defence is likely, with David Lopez and Daley Blind contenders to replace Juanpe.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – M. Gutierrez, Krejci, D. Lopez, A. Martinez – Herrera, I. Martin – Gil, Van de Beek, Tsygankov – Ruiz (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Las Palmas vs Villarreal

It has been a really difficult week at Las Palmas, with news breaking on Thursday that their captain Kirian Rodriguez is suffering from cancer again. He previously recovered from Hodgkin lymphoma to resume his career following his initial diagnosis in August 2022. Kirian won’t feature again this season while he undergoes treatment.

The Canary Islanders have not been in great form, and they are missing Dario Essugo and Jaime Mata to suspension for this game, while Jose Campaña and Adnan Januzaj are out injured. WIth few alternatives in midfield, Liverpool loanee Stefan Bajcetic could be thrown straight into the starting XI. Viti Rozada is also available again and may compete for a start at right–back.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Pelmard – Bajcetic, J. Muñoz, Loiodice – Moleiro, F. Silva, Sandro (4-3-3)

Villarreal look to be very much back on track now, after a poor end to 2024. They hammered Real Valladolid 5-1 last time out, but with Gerard Moreno an injury concern again, Thierno Barry is likely to return in attack alongside Ayoze Perez.

Santi Comesaña and Pape Gueye were preferred to Dani Parejo in midfield for that game, and it’s unclear whether that will be the case again here. Diego Conde’s return in goal last time out, suggests he’s ahead of Luiz Junior in Marcelino’s current thinking between the sticks.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Femenia – Baena, Gueye, Comesaña, Pino – Ayoze, Barry (4-4-2)

21:00 – Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

There are big defensive problems for Real Madrid heading into the derby. Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, have joined Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao on the sidelines, so there are very limited options at the back for Carlo Ancelotti in this game.

The Italian does at least have full availability in midfield and attack, with Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham all expected to return after midweek rests in the Copa del Rey. Perhaps the main doubt when it comes to the Real Madrid XI for this game, is whether or not Ancelotti decides the fit-again Eduardo Camavinga is in a condition to start. A substitute appearance for the Frenchman seems more likely.

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

Atleti have every reason to fancy their chances of a first derby win at the Bernabeu in a decade. The suspended Robin Le Normand is their only absentee, with left-back Javi Galan fit again and a starter in the 5-0 win over Getafe in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday. He’ll be hoping to get the nod over Cesar Azplicueta here. It also looks to be a close battle between Marcos Llorente and Nahuel Molina for the right-back role, while Conor Gallagher will be hoping to edge out 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 9th February 2025

14:00 – Alaves vs Getafe

Alaves are hoping to have Antonio Sivera fit this weekend, but that’s yet to be confirmed so it’s a 50/50 situation in goal for the Basques as it stands. They gave quite a good account of themselves at Barcelona last time out, only losing 1-0, but this is a very different kind of fixture where they’ll have much more of the ball. Joan Jordan could be recalled in midfield, while Abdel Abqar should return in defence following suspension. Tomas Conechny has also picked up an injury, so Carlos Martin ought to start on the left flank.

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

There was a Copa del Rey quarter-final for Getafe in midweek, but judging by the team selection of Pepe Bordalas, it’s clear that this game matters much more. Their recent league form has been strong, but they have a major doubt over midfielder Luis Milla here, while David Soria underwent surgery for a fractured nose this week. He may still be able to start this game with the use of a protective mask. Juanmi, Juan Bernat and Ramon Terrats have recently joined the club and could play some role.

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

16:15 – Valencia vs Leganes

After another hammering at the hands of Barcelona on Thursday, Carlos Corberan should return as much as possible to the side that defeated Celta Vigo in LaLiga last time out. However, he has injury doubts over Hugo Duro and Dimitri Foulquier, with Umar Sadiq and Max Aarons on standby should those players not recover in time to feature.

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

It was a spirited midweek display from a relatively strong Leganes XI, who nearly forced Extra Time against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, but they’ll still make a few changes on Sunday, with Marko Dmitrovic and Dani Raba among those who should come back in. Los Pepineros are missing defender Sergio Gonzalez to suspension, while Seydouba Cisse and Enric Franquesa are still out injured.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Nastasic, Saenz, Rosier – Cruz, Tapia, Brasanac, Neyou, Altimira – Raba, De la Fuente (5-3-2)

18:30 – Real Sociedad vs Espanyol

It’s a busy period for Real Sociedad, with Imanol’s side Copa del Rey quarter-final winners on Thursday night against Osasuna, while they travel to FC Midtjylland next Thursday in the Europa League. That all points towards some rotation here.

La Real have fitness doubts over Alvaro Odriozola, Igor Zubeldia and Hamari Traore, so we may see Aritz Elustondo get a start in central defence, with Jon Aramburu coming in at right-back. Sergio Gomez, Javi Lopez and Luka Sucic could also rotate in, while we may see one or two of the regulars get a rest, initially at least.

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

After stunning Real Madrid at the RCDE Stadium last time out, Manolo Gonzalez will most likely keep the alterations to a minimum this weekend. There will be at least two though. Last Saturday’s match winner Carlos Romero is suspended, so Brian Olivan should fill in at left-back. Meanwhile, Urko Gonzalez de Zarate is ineligible against his parent club, with Alvaro Tejero the player most likely to come in.

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

21:00 – Sevilla vs Barcelona

It’ll be interesting to see how Sevilla approach this game, given the teams that have looked to take risks against Barcelona have invariably been punished. Garcia Pimienta does like his teams to try to control the ball though, while he’s also got some selection issues to deal with here which will shape his thinking. Jose Angel Carmona is suspended, while new signing Akor Adams is already injured, joining Albert Sambi Lokonga and Tanguy Nianzou on the sidelines.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Gudelj, Bade, Juanlu – Saul, Sow, Agoume – Vargas, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)

Ferran Torres hit a hat-trick as Barca eased past Valencia in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. He’s still likely to be forced to make way for Robert Lewandowski in Seville, while the same most likely goes for Frenkie de Jong and Fermin Lopez, with Hansi Flick’s regulars expected to return.

The centre of the defence is the main area of uncertainty heading into this. Iñigo Martinez is fit again and could resume his partnership with Pau Cubarsi, although Ronald Araujo is an alternative option.

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

Monday 10th February 2025

21:00 – Mallorca vs Osasuna

It’s five defeats on the spin for Mallorca, and their failure to score in any of those games has to be a concern for Jagoba Arrasate. They have had some tricky fixtures though, and he should revert to a back four here, having gone with three centre-backs against Atletico Madrid last time out. The return to fitness of Pablo Maffeo should see the 27-year-old come in at right-back. It’s less clear whether it’ll be a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 though, so it’s possible that either Cyle Larin or Vedat Muriqi could drop out.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – S. Costa, Mascarell – D. Rodriguez, Darder, Asano – Larin (4-2-3-1)

Osasuna went very strong in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night, and we should see a relatively similar XI here, with a decent rest ahead of this Monday fixture. Vicente Moreno has a full squad available to him, assuming there are no fresh issues following their 2-0 loss at the Reale Arena.

Lucas Torro and Bryan Zaragoza are perhaps the players most likely to come in, should the Osasuna boss opt for changes, while Abel Bretones could also rotate in at left-back. Alejandro Catena will be available, unless he receives a four-game or more ban for his red card in the cup which is highly unlikely.

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