LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 33 predicted lineups

There’s a full round of midweek fixtures in the Spanish top flight this week, ahead of the Copa del Rey final which takes centre stage next weekend with Barcelona taking on Real Madrid. Barca host Mallorca, while Madrid visit Getafe in midweek in the games that matter in terms of the title race, while Leganes host Girona in a key clash at the bottom. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 33.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 33

Tuesday 22nd April 2025

19:00 (CEST) – Valencia vs Espanyol

Umar Sadiq came off the bench to net Valencia’s equaliser at Vallecas at the weekend. He made a big overall impact on the game, but he also picked up a yellow card meaning he can’t play here due to suspension. Hugo Duro should continue up top as a result. Enzo Barrenechea is also a minor fitness concern, so Pepelu could get an opportunity in midfield if the Aston Villa loanee isn’t deemed fit enough to start.

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

Espanyol picked up a third straight win last time out, meaning they are now virtually safe on 38 points along with their opponents on Tuesday night. Manolo has favoured a consistent selection policy and that trend should continue here. Javi Puado returns from suspension though and is nailed on to start the game, with either Jofre Carreras or Antoniu Roca likely to drop out.

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

21:30 – Barcelona vs Mallorca

Hansi Flick rested Lamine Yamal at the weekend, so it seems certain the 17-year-old will return here. Pedri was also rested in Dortmund last week, so he should keep his place, but the Barca boss may consider resting one or two of his other stars ahead of the Copa del Rey final. That could potentially even include Raphinha who has played the full 90 minutes in each of his team’s last four matches. Flick is also definitely missing Robert Lewandowski to injury, so Ferran Torres looks likely to lead the line.

Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – Fort, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde – Pedri, E. Garcia – Olmo, Gavi, Yamal – F. Torres (4-2-3-1)

There are some significant selection issues for Mallorca heading into this match. They have the same four injury absentees again, with Vedat Muriqi, Takuma Asano, Manu Morlanes and Robert Navarro all still out. Pablo Maffeo and Dani Rodriguez are also two major absentees due to suspension, meaning we’ll see changes from Jagoba Arrasate. The Mallorca boss may even rotate his goalkeepers as he has tended to in midweek matches in LaLiga, both in this job and during his time at Osasuna.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Roman – Lato, Copete, Valjent, Raillo, Morey – Darder, S. Costa, Mascarell, A. Sanchez – Larin (5-4-1)

Wednesday 23rd April 2025

19:00 – Celta Vigo vs Villarreal

Claudio Giraldez appeared to prioritise Wednesday’s clash with Villarreal when he left a host of key players on the bench at Barcelona on Saturday. While they came close to winning that game thanks to a brilliant hat-trick from Borja Iglesias, we could still see the likes of Oscar Mingueza, Alfon Gonzalez, Hugo Sotelo, Hugo Alvarez and Iago Aspas rotate back in here. Having netted three times at the Estadi Olimpic, Iglesias ought to keep his place up top, although anything’s possible with Giraldez who does have a number of alternative attacking options should he decide fresh legs are needed.

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

There are problems on the left flank for Marcelino, with Alex Baena sidelined due to injury, while Sergi Cardona is suspended. Pape Gueye is available again and may rotate in for Dani Parejo in midfield. Nicolas Pepe could also come into the side up front, while additional rotation in defence and potentially even in goal is possible, with Diego Conde pushing for an opportunity after recently being replaced by Luiz Junior.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Pedraza, Costa, Foyth, Navarro – D. Suarez, Gueye, Comesaña, Pino – A. Perez, Pepe (4-4-2)

19:00 – Athletic Club vs Las Palmas

Ernesto Valverde effectively picked his second XI at the Bernabeu on Sunday, but his team still came within minutes of getting a result. This should be a much stronger side that takes to the field back in Bilbao, in the final game before the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United. Nico Williams is their only major fitness doubt, and it’s hard to see him being risked unless he fully recovers by Wednesday. We may see nine changes from the side that started in Madrid, with Unai Simon and Alex Berenguer the players most likely to keep their places.

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

There were wild celebrations at full time in Gran Canaria on Saturday night as Las Palmas stunned Atletico Madrid with a stoppage-time winner. They’ve won back-to-back matches now, but their late weekend hero Javi Muñoz is suspended for this match. Top scorer Fabio Silva is also a major injury concern in a significant blow to their chances of leaving San Mames with a result. Diego Martinez will likely need to make two changes given those issues, but he’ll want as much continuity as possible after a couple of excellent results.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Horkas – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Rozada – Bajcetic, Essugo, Campaña – Moleiro, McBurnie, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)

21:30 – Getafe vs Real Madrid

After picking up his second red card in four games, Christantus Uche is suspended for Getafe as they welcome Real Madrid to the Coliseum. Allan Nyom is the only other selection concern for the hosts, but they can welcome back Diego Rico here. Djene could shift into midfield in a slightly more defensive shift given Uche’s absence and the difficulty of this fixture.

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

Real Madrid have one day less than Barcelona to prepare for the cup final, and we could see a few big names drop to the bench at the Coliseum. Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba and Fran Garcia look likely to rotate into the defence, while we could see at least two of Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Endrick start, with the Brazilian in with a real chance of finally making his full LaLiga debut after 18 substitute appearances. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, Antonio Rudiger and Fede Valverde are among the players who could probably do with a rest, but Carlo Ancelotti may decide to leave only one or two of those out, given this game is still very important as they chase down Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Alaba, Rudiger, Vazquez – Tchouameni, Valverde – Rodrygo, Bellingham, B. Diaz – Endrick (4-2-3-1)

21:30 – Alaves vs Real Sociedad

Alaves were hit hard by suspensions at the weekend, but still managed to get a good point from their trip to the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. They’ll have more options in defence on Wednesday night for this Basque derby against Real Sociedad, but they are still missing centre-back Abdel Abqar. Santiago Mouriño and Manu Sanchez should both return to the starting XI, while Carlos Martin could potentially rotate in up top.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – M. Sanchez, Garces, Mouriño, Tenaglia – Blanco – Aleña, Jordan, C. Vicente – C. Martin, Kike Garcia (4-1-3-2)

There is a great deal of uncertainty again for Real Sociedad heading into this match, with Alvaro Odriozola, Nayef Aguerd, Igor Zubeldia, Arsen Zakharyan and Ander Barrenetxea carrying injuries and unlikely to be ready to take their places in the starting XI, or even the bench. Imanol could bring Brais Mendez back into the side though, with some rotation expected from the team that drew at the Ceramica where possible. Jon Aramburu and Javi Lopez could benefit from that, while key midfielder Martin Zubimendi will return from suspension.

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

Thursday 24th April 2025

19:00 – Osasuna vs Sevilla

It’s back-to-back wins for Osasuna, enough to turn a potential relegation scrap into a possible European challenge such is the tight state of affairs in the middle of this league. Vicente Moreno is not expected to change much here, although there could be one alteration in midfield as a result of an injury concern over Jon Moncayola. Pablo Ibañez or Iker Muñoz could take his place.

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

Sevilla drew their first game under caretaker boss Joaquin Caparros against Alaves, with the 69-year-old using a 4-2-3-1 system. It wasn’t a particularly impressive display, so changes are possible here and at least one is guaranteed given Nemanja Gudelj is suspended. Peque Fernandez looks like an early winner from the coaching change, with the 22-year-old starting and scoring at the weekend. He should keep his place at El Sadar.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, K. Salas, Bade, Carmona – Sow, Agoume – Ejuke, Peque, Lukebakio – Romero (4-2-3-1)

19:00 – Leganes vs Girona

This suddenly feels like a huge game in the relegation scrap, and Leganes really need to win it as they bid to close the gap on their opponents. They have a fresh injury concern over Yvan Neyou who came off in the 0-0 draw at Mallorca at the weekend, but he may still be risked even if not 100% fit given the importance of the fixture. Matija Nastasic also remains a doubt. The attacking area is the most unpredictable and also least convincing part of this side. Juan Cruz didn’t feature at all for only the second time this season in LaLiga on Saturday, and may be out of favour right now, but Dani Raba should certainly return to the starting XI here following suspension.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – J. Hernandez, Saenz, S. Gonzalez, Rosier – Tapia, Neyou – Altimira, Cisse, Raba – D. Garcia (4-2-3-1)

Girona boss Michel has spent much of this season looking for answers, but not finding many, and his team are in real trouble now, just two places and three points above the relegation zone following defeat to Betis on Monday. Arnau Martinez and Abel Ruiz missed that game due to injuries, and it’s unclear whether either will recover in time to feature here. Some changes are surely to be expected following another poor display, with Oriol Romeu potentially coming in to add some physical presence in midfield for what could be a scrappy affair between two struggling sides.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – M. Gutierrez, Blind, Krejci, Frances – Herrera, Romeu, I. Martin – Asprilla, Danjuma, Tsygankov (4-3-3)

21:30 – Atletico Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano

Diego Simeone opted to drop Antoine Griezmann, one of the best Atletico Madrid players of all-time, on Saturday night with Alexander Sorloth partnering Julian Alvarez up top in Gran Canaria against Las Palmas. The plan didn’t work, with Los Rojiblancos creating very little in a 1-0 defeat that effectively ended their title challenge. There may be a slightly flat feel to the Estadio Metropolitano as a result here, but the home team should be at full strength in terms of availability, with light changes expected from the weekend defeat. It’s unclear whether Griezmann will regain his place or not, but Rodrigo De Paul ought to replace Koke in midfield.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Azpilicueta, Gimenez, Le Normand, Llorente – Lino, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Alvarez, Sorloth (4-4-2)

Rayo have the same injury problems heading into this game as was the case at the weekend, with Abdul Mumin definitely out, and Sergio Camello still a doubt which suggests Randy Nteka should continue up top. Pathe Ciss was preferred to Aridane Hernandez in defence against Valencia and that experiment looks likely to continue here. Isi Palazon is yet to return to the starting XI following his recent injury, and this may not be the ideal game for that either.

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

21:30 – Real Betis vs Real Valladolid

Betis were impressive again on Monday night, racing into a 3-0 lead at Girona, with Isco inevitably at the heart of things. He did leave that game early though with a calf issue, and Manuel Pellegrini may not take any chances with his star player unless he is fully recovered, given they have a Conference League semi-final next week. One or two other light changes are also possible given the quick turnaround, with Jesus Rodriguez, Youssouf Sabaly, Sergi Altimira and Cedric Bakambu among the options for fresh legs.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Perraud, Bartra, Natan, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – J. Rodriguez, Lo Celso, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)

Regardless of what else happens this week, Real Valladolid will be relegated if they lose this game, and with only one point from their last 13 matches, it’s hard to see them avoiding that fate at the Benito Villamarin. They’ve at least carried slightly more of a goal threat in their last two matches, and all of the players that started the 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on Sunday are available again here. Some changes are possible from Alvaro Rubio, but he may largely stick with the core group of players that has at least competed in the last two games.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Henrique, J. Sanchez, Aidoo, Candela – Juric, Grillitsch, Chuki – Machis, Latasa, Moro (4-3-3)