LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 25 predicted lineups

Struggling Valencia host title-chasing Atletico Madrid in perhaps the standout fixture this weekend in the Spanish top flight. We’ve also got a top-six showdown in Vallecas to look forward to, while Real Madrid host Girona in a meeting of two of last season’s top three. New leaders Barcelona head to Gran Canaria. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 25.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 25

Friday 21st February 2025

21:00 – Celta Vigo vs Osasuna

Celta Vigo drew 1-1 at the Estadio Metropolitano last weekend, although with a man advantage for more than 80 minutes, it wasn’t as good a result as it immediately sounds. Claudio Giraldez is always full of surprises when it comes to his attack which remains tough to read heading into this, but we may get a bit more stability at the back now with Marcos Alonso available again. Hugo Alvarez is their most notable absentee.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez – Mingueza, Ilaix, Beltran, Carreira – Duran, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

There’s much more predictability when it comes to Vicente Moreno’s team selections at Osasuna. He’ll need to make at least two changes here though, with Aimar Oroz and Jesus Areso both suspended. Ruben Peña should come in at right-back as a result of Areso’s absence. There are different ways he could replace Oroz. Moi Gomez is the most natural replacement. Moreno could also switch to two forwards and go with Raul Garcia alongside Ante Budimir, one of LaLiga’s best strikers right now, up top.

Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Peña – Torro, Moncayola – Zaragoza, M. Gomez, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

Saturday 22nd February 2025

14:00 – Alaves vs Espanyol

Alaves were involved in an unexpected six-goal thriller at Leganes last time out, with substitute Joan Jordan scoring twice for the Basques. He could be rewarded with a start in this game, while forward Toni Martinez is also pushing for a role up top alongside in-form Kike Garcia, with a switch to Chacho Coudet’s trademark 4-1-3-2 system possible.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – M. Sanchez, Diarra, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco – Aleña, Jordan, Vicente – T. Martinez, Kike Garcia (4-1-3-2)

It has been the best period in the season so far for Espanyol, and they played quite well against Athletic last time out in a game that ended 1-1. There’s not much reason for Manolo Gonzalez to change things here, so an unchanged XI is very possible.

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

16:15 – Rayo Vallecano vs Villarreal

With eight teams potentially qualifying for Europe from LaLiga, Rayo are looking good to claim one of those places. They competed really well at Barcelona on Monday, and Iñigo Perez has no fresh selection issues. The main uncertainty surrounds Unai Lopez and whether or not he can recover in time to feature again in midfield, but an unchanged XI is possible if not.

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

Nicolas Pepe was preferred to Thierno Barry as Ayoze Perez’s strike partner for Villarreal last weekend, but it wasn’t a huge success, so a return for Barry could be on the cards in Vallecas. Kiko Femenia remains injured, but he’s likely to replace Pau Navarro if passed fit. Meanwhile Dani Parejo and ex-Rayo midfielder Santi Comesaña are fighting for one place in midfield.

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

18:30 – Valencia vs Atletico Madrid

Umar Sadiq came off the bench to net a late leveller for Valencia in the derby at Villarreal last time out. The January signing will be hoping to compete with Hugo Duro for the starting role up front in Carlos Corberan’s side. The recently appointed Valencia boss must also decide whether to go with three centre-backs again here for another tough game. Either way, Enzo Barrenechea stands a good chance of returning to the lineup in midfield, with Pepelu most likely to drop out.

Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier, Rioja – Almeida, Guerra, Barrenechea, D. Lopez – Duro (5-4-1)

There are problems in midfield for Diego Simeone here, with Pablo Barrios suspended, while Koke is injured. The Atleti boss could compensate for that by either starting Conor Gallagher or Marcos Llorente as Rodrigo De Paul’s partner in the middle of the park. There’s also competition in central defence right now, with Robin Le Normand and Jose Maria Gimenez getting the nod ahead of Clement Lenglet last weekend. It’s unclear whether that will be the case again here.

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

21:00 – Las Palmas vs Barcelona

Las Palmas are giving Real Valladolid a run for their money when it comes to being the worst team in LaLiga right now. Selection problems have had an impact in terms of their downturn in form, and they are missing regular centre-back Scott McKenna to suspension here which is hardly ideal as they prepare to face the highest-scoring team in the league. There is better news in that Sandro Ramirez is expected to be fit, but Fabio Silva is out again. Dario Essugo is available once more and should come into the midfield.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – A. Muñoz, Marmol, A. Suarez, Rozada – Bajcetic, J. Muñoz, Essugo – Moleiro, McBurnie, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)

There’s a Copa del Rey semi-final date with Atletico Madrid this coming Tuesday for Barcelona, but Hansi Flick is unlikely to rest more than one or two of his key players here. Jules Kounde was the only regular to be rested last time out against Rayo and he should return at right-back. Marc Casado and Dani Olmo could potentially rotate into the midfield. There’s also a chance that Ferran Torres could rotate in for Robert Lewandowski up front, although that is far from a certainty. In defence, Ronald Araujo is an alternative option if Flick decides to rest Iñigo Martinez or Pau Cubarsi, two of LaLiga’s best defenders so far this term.

Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal – F. Torres (4-2-3-1)

View our Barcelona predicted lineup with % starting chances for each player here.

Sunday 23rd February 2025

14:00 – Athletic Club vs Real Valladolid

Alvaro Djalo is the only selection doubt for Ernesto Valverde heading into this. His team is not involved in the Copa del Rey semi-finals next week, so there’s no reason for this not to be a very strong Athletic XI. Nico Williams was only deemed fit enough for involvement off the bench at Espanyol last time out, but he should start here. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta may also return in midfield, while there’s now real competition for the striker role, with Maroan Sannadi, Gorka Guruzeta and Alex Berenguer all options. We also found out this week that Oscar De Marcos will retire from football at the end of this season, but he should still feature prominently for Los Leones until then.

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

Things go from bad to worse for Real Valladolid, and their disasterclass of a season has hit fresh lows with their 4-0 home defeat to Sevilla last weekend, swiftly followed by the sacking of Diego Cocca. Alvaro Rubio is back in charge on a temporary basis until the end of the campaign. He’s not helped by suspensions for Selim Amallah and Anuar Mohamed here, and there could be other changes from the Sevilla game too.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Aznou, J. Sanchez, Aidoo, L. Perez – M. Martin, Juric, Grillitsch, I. Sanchez – Moro, Andre (4-4-2)

16:15 – Real Madrid vs Girona

Los Blancos breezed past Manchester City in midweek, but they’ve gone three without a win in LaLiga now, with a number of big decisions going against them. Jude Bellingham is suspended here after the referee did not appreciate his F-bomb at El Sadar last weekend. Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Eduardo Camavinga and Luka Modric could potentially rotate in. Carlo Ancelotti also now has more options in central defence with Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba competing for two places.

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

View our Real Madrid predicted lineup with % starting chances for each player here.

Girona were fighting for the title when they visited the Bernabeu last February, but that’s a long way from being the case a year on. They were beaten at home by Getafe in their latest setback on matchday 24, with changes likely from Michel for this game. He’s missing Yangel Herrera to suspension which could pave the way for January signing Arthur Melo to make his first start for the club in midfield. Arnaut Danjuma is their only injury doubt, with Abel Ruiz expected to be fit to play some role, potentially as a starter.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez, A. Martinez – M. Gutierrez, Arthur, Romeu – Gil, A. Ruiz, Tsygankov (4-3-3)

18:30 – Getafe vs Real Betis

Getafe are one of the form teams in Spain right now, with Pepe Bordalas’ side all of a sudden looking more like European than relegation candidates. They are missing Chrisantus Uche to suspension this weekend, while Luis Milla is an injury concern once more. Borja Mayoral is pushing hard for a start, after coming off the bench to net the winner at Montilivi last time out.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Alderete, Iglesias – Bernat, Arambarri, Djene, Terrats – Mayoral, Juanmi (4-4-2)

Betis put in one of their best performances of the season to dismantle Real Sociedad 3-0 last weekend, with Antony’s stunning start to life in Spain continuing. Jesus Rodriguez also looks like a very exciting young talent on the opposite flank, and with Cucho Hernandez still to reach full fitness up top, this has the potential to be quite an exciting attacking unit. They are missing five players to injury, including Giovani Lo Celso for the trip to the Coliseum, but Manuel Pellegrini will want to limit the changes from last weekend’s last league game, after he rotated heavily in Europe on Thursday.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Rodriguez, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – Jesus, Isco, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Leganes

Imanol named a stronger than expected XI in the Europa League on Thursday as Real Sociedad sealed a convincing 7-3 aggregate win over FC Midtjylland. With a Copa del Rey semi-final first leg against Real Madrid to come next Wednesday, it seems safe to assume there’ll be some rotation here. Igor Zubeldia and Sheraldo Becker will definitely miss out due to suspensions, while Luka Sucic is a fresh injury doubt.

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

Leganes are missing Munir, one of their two goalscorers in the 3-3 draw against Alaves, to suspension here. They have no other selection issues, but in a much tougher game, we could see a slightly more cautious approach from Borja Jimenez. They are boosted by the return of key midfielder Yvan Neyou.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Nastasic, Sergio, Rosier – J. Cruz, Cisse, Tapia, Neyou, Raba – D. Garcia (4-5-1)

Monday 24th February 2025

21:00 – Sevilla vs Mallorca

There was no Saul or Loic Bade due to suspensions for Sevilla last weekend, but they still won 4-0 at Real Valladolid in their most convincing victory so far under Garcia Pimienta. While Bade should certainly win his place back here, Saul could be relegated to the bench after a brilliant performance from Juanlu Sanchez who netted twice from midfield at the Jose Zorrilla. The front three should remain unchanged.

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

Mallorca got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over Las Palmas last time out. They are only likely to be missing Manu Morlanes here, so Jagoba Arrasate has the option of naming an unchanged XI. Samu Costa is pushing for a start in midfield though, while Cyle Larin will be hoping for a recall in attack, although that looks unlikely after a stronger showing with a 4-2-3-1 system last time out.

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