LaLiga matchday 29 preview & predicted lineups

LaLiga heads off into the international break with a full fixture list including the big showdown between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona on Sunday. Here’s our full 2023/24 LaLiga matchday 29 preview with predicted lineups for all 20 clubs and win probabilities for every game.

LaLiga matchday 29 preview – Predicted lineups

Friday 15th March 2024

21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Cadiz

Real Sociedad came from behind to secure a late win at Granada last time out and Ander Barrenetxea may be their only regular starter who’s unavailable here so we should see a strong eleven from Imanol who has a decision to make at left back with Javi Galan and Kieran Tierney both strong options.

Cadiz are unbeaten in three and stunned Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 win last time out to boost their survival prospects. Mauricio Pellegrino isn’t likely to change much here with his team recording a first win in six months but he is missing Ivan Alejo to suspension.

Possible Lineups

Real Sociedad: Remiro – Tierney, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Traore – Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez – Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Kubo (4-3-3)

Cadiz: Ledesma – Javi Hernandez, Chust, Ousou, Iza – Navarro, Alcaraz, Kouame, Sobrino – Maxi Gomez, Juanmi (4-4-2)

Saturday 16th March 2024

14:00 – Mallorca vs Granada

Mallorca are without the suspended Samu Costa for the visit of Girona. Pablo Maffeo and Martin Valjent have been dealing with injuries and will be assessed in the buildup to the game.

Granada plunged further into trouble with another defeat last weekend and it’s looking hopeless for them with only 14 points heading into the final 10 games. The suspended Sergio Ruiz is their only expected absentee here.

Possible Lineups

Mallorca: Rajkovic – Copete, Nastasic, Railo – Lato, Darder, Mascarell, Dani Rodriguez, Giovanni – Larin, Muriqi (3-5-2)

Granada: Batalla – Neva, Miquel, Bruno Mendez, Ricard – Jozwiak, Hongla, Gumbau, Pellistri – Boye, Uzuni (4-4-2)

16:15 – Osasuna vs Real Madrid

Osasuna are missing David Garcia and Aimar Oroz to injury and Jagoba Arrasate may consider going with three central defenders and wing backs again in this game, although a switch to a back four is just as possible. Centre back Alejandro Catena should be fit having dealt with a niggle this week.

Jude Bellingham completes a suspension for Real Madrid so it’s likely to be Brahim Diaz again for Los Blancos in the advanced midfield role. Luka Modric is hoping to keep his place after a strong showing against Celta but Carlo Ancelotti has tended to prefer Toni Kroos this term and the German may rotate back in.

Possible Lineups

Osasuna: Herrera – Mojica, Herrando, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Arnaiz, Moi Gomez, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

Real Madrid: Lunin – Mendy, Nacho, Rudiger, Carvajal – Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde – Brahim – Vinicius, Rodrygo (4-3-1-2)

18:30 – Getafe vs Girona

Mason Greenwood returns from suspension for Getafe. The home team are not missing anyone with the exception of Mauro Arambarri and Borja Mayoral who will both miss the rest of the season due to injuries.

Girona could go with three central defenders to counter a direct Getafe side with David Lopez potentially having a big role to play, although he hasn’t been able to train fully this week. Viktor Tsygankov is the other big selection doubt for Girona but MIchel is hopeful the Ukraine winger can feature. Yangel Herrera and Borja Garcia are injured.

Possible Lineups

Getafe: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Djene, Iglesias – Moriba, Milla, Maksimovic, Greenwood – Latasa, Mata (4-4-2)

Girona: Gazzaniga – Blind, David Lopez, Eric Garcia – Miguel, Aleix Garcia, Ivan Martin, Couto – Savio, Dovbyk, Portu (3-4-3)

21:00 – Athletic Club vs Alaves

There’s no Aitor Paredes this weekend for Athletic due to suspension which means Dani Vivian and Yeray Alvarez are sure to be the central defenders. Yuri misses another game due to injury while Oihan Sancet and Unai Gomez will compete for the attacking midfield role.

Alaves could potentially name an unchanged eleven from the side that beat Rayo Vallecano last weekend with long-term absentee Aleksandar Sedlar the only player they are expected to be missing.

Possible Lineups

Athletic Club: Simon – Lekue, Yeray, Vivian, De Marcos – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta – Nico Williams, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

Alaves: Sivera – Javi Lopez, Abqar, Marin, Gorosabel – Blanco, Guevara – Rioja, Guridi, Vicente – Omorodion (4-2-3-1)

Sunday 17th March 2024

14:00 – Sevilla vs Celta Vigo

Sevilla have a doubt over Youssef En-Nesyri while Loic Bade has picked up an injury, just when it seemed like the Andalusians were finally going to be in a position to pick their best eleven for perhaps the first time this season. Dodi Lukebakio is fit again and scored on Monday at Almeria and he may fill in for En-Nesyri if needed.

Celta have sacked Rafa Benitez with B team boss Claudio Giraldez taking over so we could see some changes in terms of style and personnel from the visitors. They are hampered by injuries to Renato Tapia, Carlos Dotor, Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic.

Possible Lineups

Sevilla: Nyland – Acuna, Ramos, Salas – Ocampos, Soumare, Sow, Oliver, Navas – Romero, En-Nesyri (3-5-2)

Celta Vigo: Guaita – Manu Sanchez, Dominguez, Nuñez, Starfelt, Mingueza – De La Torre, Beltran, Bamba – Larsen, Aspas (5-3-2)

16:15 – Las Palmas vs Almeria

Las Palmas are missing Saul Coco to suspension this weekend. Garcia Pimienta may also consider changes after a four game winless streak in LaLiga. Jose Luis Campaña started last weekend as he continues his return to elite level football after horrendous injury problems at Levante, but there is competition in midfield so he’s not guaranteed to keep his place.

Almeria are another team playing their first game under new management. Gaizko Garitano was sacked after Monday’s draw with Sevilla and the experienced Pepe Mel takes charge. He’s hampered by two suspensions in his first game with Dion Lopy and Edgar Gonzalez both out.

Possible Lineups

Las Palmas: Valles – Cardona, Marmol, Alex Suarez, Araujo – Kirian, Loiodice, Muñoz – Moleiro, Sandro, Munir (4-3-3)

Almeria: Maximiano – Langa, Radovanovic, Edgar, Pubill – Baba, Robertone – Embarba, Viera, Romero – Baptistao (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Villarreal vs Valencia

Marcelino made some changes but still went quite strong in the Europa League on Thursday despite a 4-0 1st Leg deficit and his side at one point looked like they might pull off an epic comeback against Marseille. The likes of Dani Parejo and Goncalo Guedes may drop out of the side on Sunday after playing 90 minutes in that game while Eric Bailly is a doubt after picking up a knock. Alex Baena and Santi Comesaña should return to the starting eleven.

Valencia’s lineup is much more predictable, especially with Hugo Guillamon suspended which should see Javi Guerra partner Pepelu in central midfield in what may be an unchanged eleven from last weekend’s win over Getafe.

Possible Lineups

Villarreal: Jorgensen – Cuenca, Mandi, Mosquera, Femenia – Baena, Comesaña, Coquelin, Bertrand Traore – Sorloth, Gerard Moreno (4-4-2)

Valencia: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Ozkacar, Mosquera, Foulquier – Canos, Guerra, Pepelu, Fran Perez – Duro, Yaremchuk (4-4-2)

18:30 – Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis

Rayo Vallecano are winless in four matches since the change in coach but they don’t have a huge amount of options in terms of freshening up their eleven. Winger Alvaro Garcia is a doubt for this game with Jorge De Frutos on standby.

Betis are no longer in Europe which reduces the chances of rotation from Manuel Pellegrini. The Chilean will have to cope without the suspended Chimy Avila this weekend with Ayoze Perez his most likely replacement. German Pezzella is also available after a ban and should come straight into the team in central defence which is a boost after a 3-2 home defeat last weekend.

Possible Lineups

Rayo Vallecano: Dimitrievski – Espino, Lejeune, Aridane, Balliu – Unai Lopez, Valentin – De Frutos, Trejo, Isi – De Tomas (4-2-3-1)

Real Betis: Rui Silva – Miranda, Riad, Pezzella, Ruibal – Guido Rodriguez, Cardoso – Ayoze, Fekir, Fornals – Willian Jose (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona

Antoine Griezmann returned to help Atleti past Inter in the Champions League in midweek and will be expected to continue here. Diego Simeone could consider some light rotation after 120 minutes in Europe with midweek hero Memphis Depay an option to come in for Alvaro Morata.

Barca have had an extra day off having also progressed in Europe. They are still missing Pedri and Frenkie de Jong so Xavi could go with the same players that defeated Napoli on Tuesday. Joao Felix and Iñigo Martínez are perhaps the most likely options should he want to change anything.

Possible Lineups

Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Hermoso, Witsel, Savic – Lino, Barrios, Koke, Da Paul, Molina – Morata, Griezmann (3-5-2)

Barcelona: Ter Stegen – Cancelo, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde – Gundogan, Christensen, Fermin – Raphinha, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal (4-3-3)

All kick-off times are Spanish mainland time (CET).