LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 34 predicted lineups

A week on from an epic Copa del Rey final, Barcelona and Real Madrid are both gunning for three points as the title race in LaLiga heads into the final stretch. There’s also plenty to play for elsewhere, with Real Betis and Villarreal targeting Champions League qualification, while a host of sides are battling to beat the drop. It’s also Basque derby weekend with La Real taking on Athletic. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 34.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 34

Friday 2nd May 2025

21:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Getafe

Rayo face another derby on Friday, a little over a week on from a defeat against Atletico Madrid at the Estadio Metropolitano. Suspensions for Augusto Batalla and Andrei Ratiu will force Iñigo Perez into at least two changes here, with Dani Cardenas set to come in between the sticks, while Ivan Balliu should start at right-back. Otherwise, there are no fresh issues for the hosts, although the likes of Jorge de Frutos, Gerard Gumbau and Pep Chavarria have a strong chance of rotating back in.

Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Cardenas – Chavarria, Ciss, Lejeune, Balliu – Gumbau, Diaz – A. Garcia, Palazon, De Frutos – Nteka (4-2-3-1)

There are some significant selection issues for Getafe too. They are missing Christantus Uche again to suspension, while Alvaro Rodriguez is also banned. With Juanmi injured, Borja Mayoral stands a good chance of starting up front again, as was the case against Real Madrid last time out. Diego Rico and Coba Gomes are also sidelined through injuries.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Iglesias, Duarte, Alderete, Djene – Bernat, Arambarri, Milla, Perez – Terrats – Mayoral (4-4-1-1)

Saturday 3rd May 2025

14:00 – Alaves vs Atletico Madrid

After an excellent 1-0 win over Real Sociedad last time out, there’s little reason to expect much to change here from Chacho Coudet. An unchanged XI is certainly a possibility, with central defender Abdel Abqar expected to be the only absentee.

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

Diego Simeone should have a full Atletico Madrid squad to pick from for this game. He has gone with Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez up front in the last two matches, and he may give that partnership a bit more time to develop with an eye on next season, although Antoine Griezmann is obviously a strong alternative option. Conor Gallagher was on target against Rayo last time out, and he’ll be hoping to keep his place in the starting XI on Saturday.

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

16:15 – Villarreal vs Osasuna

Yeremi Pino will sit this game out due to suspension, but otherwise Villarreal are in better shape on the selection front this weekend. Alex Baena is in contention for a starting role following injury, while Gerard Moreno should be fit enough to make the bench. Nicolas Pepe could potentially continue on the right flank given Yeremi’s unavailability.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Cardona, Costa, Foyth, Femenia – Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Pepe – A. Perez, Barry (4-4-2)

There are two regulars missing for Osasuna this weekend. Jon Moncayola is sidelined due to injury again, while central defender Alejandro Catena is suspended. Unai Garcia could get a rare opportunity at the back as a result, assuming Vicente Moreno decides to persist with a back three. He could consider a different system which might enable Bryan Zaragoza to return to the team, but after three straight wins, that may need to wait another week or two.

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

18:30 – Las Palmas vs Valencia

Las Palmas are making a real fight of their battle for survival now, and they’re doing a bit better on the selection front heading into this game. Top scorer Fabio Silva is available again and could potentially start. Jasper Cillessen also has an outside chance of being fit, but it looks more likely to be Dinko Horkas in goal again. Javi Muñoz is available again and should return in midfield.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Horkas – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Rozada – Bajcetic, Essugo, J. Muñoz – Moleiro, McBurnie, Silva (4-3-3)

Valencia are on the brink of safety now, but they’ll have to cope without the suspended Cesar Tarrega in this game. There are no other new selection problems for Carlos Corberan though, with the visiting boss likely to opt for continuity given the great run his side has been on. The main decision he will have to make is whether to go with Hugo Duro or Umar Sadiq up front, with the latter available again following suspension.

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

21:00 – Real Valladolid vs Barcelona

Real Valladolid have now officially been relegated and they’ll be officially one of the worst teams in LaLiga history, unless they can find a few results between now and the end of the season. Alvaro Rubio may consider some changes after a 5-1 defeat at Real Betis last time out. He still has a major doubt over goalkeeper Karl Hein’s fitness, while Javi Sanchez, Joseph Aidoo and Henrique Silva have definitely been ruled out due to injuries.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Aznou, Ozkacar, Comert, Candela – Juric, Martin – Moro, Chuki, Anuar – Latasa (4-2-3-1)

Barcelona extended their record for Copa del Rey wins by seeing off Real Madrid in Seville last weekend. They were then involved in a six-goal thriller against Inter in the Champions League on Wednesday, and with both of those sides to face again next week, it’s safe to say Hansi Flick will be using this game against rock bottom opposition to rest a host of key players. Most of those who started in midweek are expected to rotate out, with Barca likely to take a very strong subs bench to the Jose Zorrilla in case they find themselves in any trouble in this match. Jules Kounde and Robert Lewandowski are both injured, while Alejandro Balde remains a major doubt. This game may also provide Flick with the ideal opportunity to reintroduce Marc-Andre ter Stegen in goal after a lengthy lay-off, although that has not been confirmed.

Barcelona predicted lineup: Ter Stegen – Martin, Christensen, Araujo, Fort – Gavi, De Jong – Fati, Fermin, Victor – Ferran (4-2-3-1)

Sunday 4th May 2025

14:00 – Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Real Madrid have suffered a number of injury blows over the past fortnight, with David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy unlikely to feature again this season in LaLiga, while the Club World Cup may also prove too soon for some, if not all of them. With Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal still sidelined too, Carlo Ancelotti has very few options remaining in defence for the final five league games. Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to be used as a centre-back for the rest of the campaign as a result of those issues. Further up the pitch, Arda Guler is pushing for a start after a strong performance off the bench in the Copa del Rey final, but an out-of-form Rodrygo may get the nod again here.

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

There are no fresh selection issues for Celta who were impressive 3-0 winners at home to Villarreal last time out. They are looking good for a European place now, but Claudio Giraldez almost always makes some changes, and that’s likely to be the case again here. Ilaix Moriba stands a good chance of coming into the midfield for this game, while Sergio Carreira could get the nod on the right flank.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, J. Rodriguez, Lago – Mingueza, Moriba, D. Rodriguez, Carreira – Alfon, F. Lopez – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

16:15 – Sevilla vs Leganes

Sevilla have only taken one point from two games so far under caretaker boss Joaquin Caparros. He made a surprise call last time out, with B-team player Diego Hormigo starting on the left flank in the defeat to Osasuna. He’s still in contention this weekend, as is Dodi Lukebakio who has had his red card at El Sadar overturned. Djibril Sow is a major injury doubt so we could see at least one change in midfield. Isaac Romero may be recalled up front.

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

Leganes had Seydouba Cisse sent off in just the 19th minute last time out, but they still took a point from their key relegation six-pointer against Girona. Cisse is suspended here, along with Adria Altimira, so we’ll see at least two changes to the last starting XI. Munir and Oscar Rodriguez are both in contention for starts against their old club, although it’s unclear exactly how Borja Jimenez will look to structure his attack here, with Dani Raba the only player in any kind of form.

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

18:30 – Espanyol vs Real Betis

Espanyol were beaten 1-0 at Villarreal in the only game to take place last weekend in LaLiga, but it was another strong performance from Manolo’s side who are on course for safety now. Few changes are expected here, with Pol Lozano and Jofre Carreras perhaps the only players with a chance of breaking into the side.

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

Betis are the least likely of Spain’s three remaining European participants to rotate heavily this weekend, but we should still see some changes ahead of the second leg of their Conference League tie with Fiorentina which they lead 2-1. Cucho Hernandez is sure to return up top given his ineligibility in Europe, but it’s possible we could see Isco left on the bench, or at least used for only an hour or less. There should also be changes in goal and at full-back from Thursday, with Aitor Ruibal suspended for this game, while Jesus Rodriguez ought to return on the left flank.

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

21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Athletic Club

La Real have been dealing with some significant selection issues in recent weeks, but those have eased up to some extent now. Nayef Aguerd is training again and stands a chance of starting the Basque derby, but central defensive partner Igor Zubeldia remains a major doubt. Ander Barrenetxea is also available, but Sergio Gomez may keep his place on the left flank. Luka Sucic is pushing for a recall in midfield, while striker Orri Oskarsson is a fresh injury absentee.

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

We should see a large number of Athletic Club’s best players drop to the bench here, despite the fact that this is a big Basque derby. That’s because this game falls in between the two legs of their Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, although they have a mountain to climb following a 3-0 defeat in the first leg at San Mames. Dani Vivian was sent off in that match which suggests he should start this game, but there’s likely to be plenty of rotation across the pitch from Ernesto Valverde aside from that. Oihan Sancet is still sidelined due to injury, but it’s possible that one or two other regulars may keep their places and be withdrawn at some stage early in the second half.

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

Monday 5th May 2025

21:00 – Girona vs Mallorca

Girona boss Michel started experienced duo Portu and Cristhian Stuani at Leganes last time out, and he was quite open about the reasoning, with his preference for players who have some experience of a relegation battle which is exactly what they find themselves in. That may signal a change in approach, and it’s possible that we may see some slightly more direct football from the Catalans over the remainder of the season. Stuani could continue here, given Abel Ruiz is an injury doubt. Miguel Gutierrez hasn’t been able to take part in full training this week, but he still looks likely to start this Monday night game.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez – M. Gutierrez, Arthur, Herrera, A. Martinez – Portu, Stuani, Tsygankov (3-4-3)

Mallorca should be able to welcome back Vedat Muriqi to their squad for this game, but it’s unclear whether the Kosovo frontman will start or not. Midfielder Manu Morlanes is still sidelined due to injury, but Pablo Maffeo and Dani Rodriguez are both available again and should return to the starting XI for the trip to Montilivi. Dominik Greif is also likely to return in goal, despite another strong performance from his back-up Leo Roman who rotated in against Barcelona last time out.

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