LaLiga 2024/25 matchday 5 predicted lineups

Spanish football is back following the international break with some massive games this weekend. Leaders Barcelona face a Girona side that beat them twice last term, while Real Madrid head to Donostia to take on Real Sociedad. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 5.

LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 5

Friday 13th September 2024

21:00 – Real Betis vs Leganes

Manuel Pellegrini has been dealt a massive blow with Isco suffering a fresh injury setback that is likely to rule him out for the rest of 2024. In better news, Giovani Lo Celso has rejoined the club and should feature here, although perhaps not from the off so soon after a trip back from South America. Barca loanee Vitor Roque is also pushing for a first start in LaLiga as a Betis player while Rodri, a starter at the Bernabeu in their last match, has left to join Qatari club Al Arabi.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Perraud, Natan, Llorente, Sabaly – Roca, Carvalho – Abde, Fornals, Ruibal – Roque (4-2-3-1)

It was a surprising team selection from Borja Jimenez last time out as he handed a bunch of new signings and fringe players starts against Mallorca. The plan didn’t work, with Leganes beaten for the first time this season, and we can again expect plenty of changes to their team on Friday. They’ve completed one eye-catching signing with Sebastien Haller joining from Borussia Dortmund and it’s possible that he could be thrown straight into the eleven. Defender Jorge Saenz is an injury doubt.

Leganes predicted lineup: Soriano – Javi Hernandez, Nastasic, Sergio, Rosier – Neyou, Brasanac, Oscar Rodriguez – Franquesa, Haller, Juan Cruz (4-3-3)

Saturday 14th September 2024

14:00 – Mallorca vs Villarreal

Jagoba Arrasate’s side went into the international break following a morale-boosting first win of the campaign at Butarque. There’s still likely to be at least a couple of changes here with Pablo Maffeo injured while Johan Mojica has been busy on international duty with Colombia. That could see fresh faces at full-back, including new signing Valery, while Sergi Darder will be hoping to earn a recall in midfield.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Lato, Raillo, Valjent, Valery – Mascarell, Samu – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Asano – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)

It was a very busy summer at Villarreal with Arnaut Danjuma’s late departure to join Girona an unexpected late twist. We should see a more settled eleven start to emerge over the coming weeks with Marcelino’s favoured system being 4-4-2. He has plenty of selection issues here though, with Pape Gueye suspended while Gerard Moreno and Willy Kambwala are injury doubts. Diego Conde is expected to continue in goal in the short-term at least, despite the arrival of €12m man Luiz Junior.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Bailly, Albiol, Femenia – Baena, Comesaña, Parejo, Yeremi – Ayoze, Barry (4-4-2)

16:15 – Espanyol vs Alaves

It was a first win back in the top flight for Espanyol last time out. They didn’t make a single permanent addition in the summer, but their squad has been bolstered by a host of loanees who will be jostling for places over the coming weeks. They still have injury doubts over defenders Fernando Calero and Leandro Cabrera which could see Sergi Gomez start this match if neither recovers. Otherwise, Manolo is likely to look for continuity with his team selection.

Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Gomez, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Romero, Kral, Gragera, Tejero – Puado, Jofre – Veliz (3-4-2-1)

Continuity may also be the name of the game at Alaves following back-to-back victories for the Basque club. However, there could be a first start for striker Toni Martinez who has come off the bench to score important goals in his first two appearances for the club. Hugo Novoa is their only expected injury absentee.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Manu Sanchez, Sedlar, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco, Guevara – Conechny, Guridi, Vicente – Martinez (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Sevilla vs Getafe

This is a big game between two winless teams and there’s already a bit of pressure building on Garcia Pimienta to get it right at Sevilla. He’s not helped by some key absentees here with Loic Bade and Albert Sambi Lokonga injured, while Saul serves the second game of a two match ban. They’ve also sold Lucas Ocampos to Liga Mx outfit Monterrey, meaning Chidera Ejuke and Dodi Lukebakio now look the most likely starting wide options in this team.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Barco, Salas, Marcao, Carmona – Agoume, Sow, Juanlu – Ejuke, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)

It’s three games and three draws so far for Getafe. The last two have both ended 0-0, but it was a pretty good performance from them against Real Sociedad last time out. Pepe Bordalas would have been hoping to have striker Borja Mayoral back by now, but he’s still sidelined. They have signed strikers Bertug Yildirim and Alvaro Rodriguez, but they are also carrying slight issues which make them doubts for this game too. Centre-back Omar Alderete is also a fresh fitness concern which may spark a defensive reshuffle.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Aberdin, Djene, Iglesias – Sola, Uche, Arambarri, Milla, Perez – Yildirim (4-5-1)

21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid

It has been a poor start to the season from Real Sociedad and they had just one attempt on goal in the draw at Getafe last time out. They’ve since lost Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez to injuries that may rule the duo out until October, while Hamari Traore has torn his ACL meaning a much longer stint on the sidelines for the right-back. Imanol must pick up the pieces here and he could hand a full debut to new striker Orri Oskarsson. Nayef Aguerd is also a strong new addition in defence who’ll be pushing for a starting role following his move from West Ham.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Javi Lopez, Pacheco, Zubeldia, Elustondo – Turrientes, Zubimendi, Sergio Gomez – Becker, Oskarsson, Kubo (4-3-3)

Carlo Ancelotti has problems of his own, with Dani Ceballos joining Eduardo Camavinga and David Alaba on the sidelines. Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham are expected to both be available though after issues of their own, although the Englishman may only feature off the bench. The Real Madrid boss must also consider the condition of his sizable South American contingent after a busy fortnight of World Cup qualifying action, with Champions League football to come next Tuesday. Brahim Diaz, Arda Guler and Lucas Vazquez are all strong options should he decide to keep some of his regulars fresh for that match.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – Mendy, Militao, Rudiger, Carvajal – Tchouameni, Modric, Valverde – Vinicius, Mbappe, Rodrygo (4-3-3)

Sunday 15th September 2024

14:00 – Celta Vigo vs Real Valladolid

Celta have been LaLiga’s chief entertainers so far with 19 goals in their four matches to date. After goals in back-to-back matches, Borja Iglesias looks well placed to get the nod up front here, while Jonathan Bamba and Williot Swedberg appear to be in a really tight battle for one position in Claudio Giraldez’s team. There could be changes at the back and it’s also a possibility that this may be the weekend that Vicente Guaita returns in goal.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Jailson, Starfelt, Javi Rodriguez – Alvarez, Damian, Beltran, Mingueza – Bamba, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

After conceding seven at Barcelona last time out, there would have been some soul searching for Paulo Pezzolano to do over the past fortnight. Cenk Ozkacar may come into the defence for this game. Mamadou Sylla and Amath Ndiaye may also rotate back in, although new signings Darwin Machis and Juanmi Latasa are alternative attacking options should he want to shake things up.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Ozkacar, Comert, Luis Perez – Moro, Kike Perez, Juric, Amallah, Ndiaye – Sylla (4-5-1)

16:15 – Girona vs Barcelona

After back-to-back wins, Michel will be feeling much better about the outlook for this much changed Girona side. He’ll have half an eye on next week’s Champions League opener, but will surely still go as strong as possible for this Catalan derby as Girona seek a third straight win over Barca after two 4-2 victories last term. He’ll need to make at least once change with Oriol Romeu unavailable against his parent club, meaning Jhon Solis could feature in a three-man midfield, or we could see a switch to a 4-4-2 with new signing Arnaut Danjuma hoping to feature.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel Gutierrez, Blind, David Lopez, Frances – Ivan Martin, Solis, Herrera – Gil, Ruiz, Tsygankov (4-3-3)

Hansi Flick appears to have stumbled on an eleven he is happy with, and after the 7-0 demolition of Real Valladolid, he could go unchanged this weekend at Montilivi. Injuries mean he doesn’t have many options in terms of potential changes in any case, although Eric Garcia is one option to feature against his old club. If there is to be an alteration from the last game, Eric replacing Marc Casado in midfield is perhaps the most likely, but the Barca boss may just go with the same team.

Barcelona predicted lineup: Ter Stegen – Balde, Martinez, Cubarsi, Kounde – Pedri, Casado – Raphinha, Olmo, Lamine Yamal – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)

18:30 – Las Palmas vs Athletic Club

Las Palmas held Real Madrid in their last home game, but they are still searching for their first win under new boss Luis Carrion. Alvaro Valles’ failure to depart in the transfer window, leaves the Canarian side stacked in terms of goalkeeping options but with Valles very much out of favour, Jasper Cillessen looks secure in between the sticks. Carrion has a full squad to pick from this weekend with no injury concerns, but may consider one or two changes after defeat at Alaves last time out.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Suarez, Marvin – Kirian, Campaña, Javier Muñoz – Moleiro, McBurnie, Sandro (4-3-3)

After a terrific 2023/24 season, Athletic haven’t quite hit top gear yet this term with the likes of Gorka Guruzeta and Iñaki Williams yet to open their accounts. Ernesto Valverde won’t be pressing the panic button just yet, but he will need to use his squad over the next few weeks with Europa League football on the horizon. There’ll be at least one change here with Yeray’s injury meaning Aitor Paredes should come into the defence, while he could try something different in midfield with Mikel Jauregizar an option.

Athletic Club predicted lineup: Agirrezabala – Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Prados, Jauregizar – Nico Williams, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1

21:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Valencia

There were four Atleti players in the Argentina squad that was beaten in Colombia on Tuesday night and with Diego Simeone seemingly keen to make use of his new-found depth, we may see him mostly rely on his European players for this eleven. A medical issue meant Jan Oblak was a last minute absentee in Bilbao last time out, but he played for Slovenia on Monday and should return in goal. Pablo Barrios will be absent due to injury though.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Witsel, Gimenez, Le Normand – Riquelme, Koke, Gallagher, Llorente – Lino, Griezmann – Sorloth (3-4-2-1)

It was a first point of the season for Valencia in their last match, and it was their best performance of the new campaign too against local rivals Villarreal. Ruben Baraja will most likely look to keep changes to a minimum as a result. He won’t be able to name an unchanged side though with Hugo Duro picking up an injury. With Rafa Mir currently suspended by the club following his arrest for an alleged sexual assault, Dani Gomez looks set to get the nod up front after joining from city rivals Levante. Andre Almeida is also an injury concern.

Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Jesus Vazquez, Tarrega, Mosquera, Correia – Rioja, Pepelu, Guillamon, Diego Lopez – Canos – Dani Gomez (4-4-1-1)

Monday 16th September 2024

21:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Osasuna

Much of the focus on Monday night will be on James Rodriguez who could make his Rayo debut. He started for Colombia against Argentina in midweek, but Iñigo Perez may introduce him off the bench in this game. The Rayo boss also must decide whether to stick with Dani Cardenas or go with new signing Augusto Batalla in goal. A change is possible, not least given Cardenas has been dealing with a minor injury over the past fortnight, but by no means certain here. Pacho Espino’s injury should see Pep Chavarria return at left-back.

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

Osasuna bounced back from a 4-0 drubbing with a much improved performance and victory over Celta last time out. New signings Abel Bretones and Flavien Enzo Boyomo both scored, while Bryan Zaragoza also looks well established in this side following his loan from Bayern Munich. Vicente Moreno may go with an unchanged eleven, but only if Ante Budimir can shake off an injury concern, with Raul Garcia on standby if he doesn’t make it.

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