After a week of ups and downs at the top of LaLiga, we head into another busy weekend with every team in action. Saturday is a big one with Real Madrid visiting Girona, while Barcelona are at Betis. Atletico Madrid will be hoping to make up further ground on the top two when they host Sevilla on Sunday. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 16.

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LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 16

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Friday 6th December 2024

21:00 – Celta Vigo vs Mallorca

After a poor 3-1 defeat at Espanyol last time out in the league, a rotated Celta eleven won 7-0 in the Copa del Rey, with some fringe players impressing, so Claudio Giraldez may well shake things up here. Williot Swedberg and Borja Iglesias are among the strongest contenders to rotate in from last weekend’s lineup, but defensive injuries mean it could be the same back three.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, Javi Rodriguez – Hugo Alvarez, Sotelo, Ilaix, Mingueza – Swedberg, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)

Mallorca have developed a reputation for being tough to beat, but they were blown away by Barcelona on Tuesday with a 5-1 scoreline at Son Moix. Just three days on, Jagoba Arrasate is expected to make plenty of changes, with the likes of Dominik Greif, Dani Rodriguez, Cyle Larin and Robert Navarro expected to return. He may only stick with his regular central defensive partnership and one or two other of his most important players.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Van der Heyden, Raillo, Valjent, Morey – Dani Rodriguez, Samu Costa, Mascarell, Navarro – Muriqi, Larin (4-4-2)

Saturday 7th December 2024

14:00 – Las Palmas vs Real Valladolid

After a stunning win at Barcelona, there’s not much reason to think we’ll see much change here for Las Palmas in what is a very different kind of fixture. The only doubts may be whether or not Alex Muñoz returns at left-back, and whether Dario Essugo can force his way back into the midfield. Oli McBurnie scored twice in the Copa del Rey in midweek, but won’t dislodge in-form Fabio Silva from the league lineup on Saturday.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, Suarez, Rozada – Javi Muñoz, Campaña – Moleiro, Kirian, Sandro – Fabio Silva (4-2-3-1)

Real Valladolid lost 5-0 at home to Atletico Madrid last weekend and promptly sacked Paulo Pezzolano in a move that did not come as a surprise. Caretaker boss Alvaro Rubio is likely to be in charge here, but he’s unlikely to have a magic wand with which to fix a team that has LaLiga’s worst defensive record and joint worst goalscoring record. It’s tough to second guess what he’ll do with this eleven, but Karl Hein, Lucas Rosa, Luis Perez, Kike Perez and Raul Moro might be seen as the most likely starters.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Ozkacar, Javi Sanchez, L. Perez – K. Perez, Comert, Juric – Moro, Latasa, Anuar (4-3-3)

16:15 – Real Betis vs Barcelona

Betis were missing five midfield players for their defeat at Real Sociedad last weekend. There’s a possibility that Pablo Fornals could be involved on Saturday, but they are still short in that department and youngster Carlos Guirao may start again. Few changes are expected from the trip to Donostia, although Aitor Ruibal could return on the right flank. Vitor Roque should lead the line against his parent club.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Perraud, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Guirao – Abde Ez, Lo Celso, Ruibal – Roque (4-2-3-1)

Barca ended their bad league run, with a thumping 5-1 win at Mallorca in midweek and they were good value for those five goals. Robert Lewandowski was rested for the first time this season in that match, but should return up front here. While they travel to Dortmund in the Champions League this coming Wednesday, that’s not a big pressure game given Barca are already in a strong position in that competition, so Hansi Flick is likely to go strong for this tough away fixture.

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

18:30 – Valencia vs Rayo Vallecano

Valencia have won three out of four in all competitions since returning from a break of nearly a month due to postponements. They did lose their last league game at Mallorca, but Ruben Baraja may not change too much from that eleven, which could potentially leave Pepelu on the bench once more. Dimitri Foulquier is injured though, so Fran Perez may start on the right flank.

Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gasiorowski, Tarrega, Mosquera – Gaya, Guerra, Barrenechea, Fran Perez – Rioja, Diego Lopez – Duro (3-4-2-1)

Rayo have lost three on the bounce in LaLiga, so Iñigo Perez could be tempted into changes, although few of his fringe players made much impression in the Copa del Rey in midweek. Randy Nteka started and scored against Athletic last weekend, and could keep his place in attack here, while it’s a close battle between Adri Embarba and Jorge De Frutos on the right flank. James Rodriguez started in the Copa del Rey and assisted a goal, but is not expected to start.

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

21:00 – Girona vs Real Madrid

Michel handed most of his regulars a much needed rest in the cup in midweek, but Girona were dumped out by fourth tier UD Logroñes on penalties. They’ve been in good league form though, with 10 points from their last four games, although it still feels as though the Girona boss is yet to truly settle on a clear system or best eleven. Daley Blind was one of the few regulars to start in the cup which raises doubts about his participation, with Liverpool also visiting Montilivi on Tuesday.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Frances, Krejci, David Lopez – Miguel Gutierrez, Ivan Martin, Romeu, Van de Beek, Arnau Martinez – Gil, Miovski (3-5-2)

Some changes are expected from Carlo Ancelotti for the trip to Girona, just three days on from his side’s defeat in Bilbao. However with five still sidelined through injury, he’s not expected to have any new options available to him at Montilivi. Ferland Mendy and Luka Modric are the players most likely to rotate in. Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz are also knocking on the door of the starting eleven, should the Real Madrid boss want to rest more players ahead of a tough Champions League trip to Atalanta.

Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – Mendy, Asencio, Rudiger, Vazquez – Tchouameni, Valverde, Modric – Bellingham – Mbappe, Rodrygo (4-3-1-2)

Sunday 8th December 2024

14:00 – Leganes vs Real Sociedad

There’ll be at least one change for Leganes with winger Dani Raba picking up an injury. Borja Jimenez does like to spring a surprise with his team selections, but things feel a bit more settled at the back and base of the midfield now. However, there is still real competition further up the pitch, with none of their more attacking players having really locked down a starting role. Miguel de la Fuente is expected to be fit and could start up top.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Javi Hernandez, Nastasic, Sergio, Rosier – Neyou, Tapia – Juan Cruz, Oscar Rodriguez, Diego Garcia – De la Fuente (4-2-3-1)

Real Sociedad have found a bit of form, and while they did only have two shots, they managed to beat Betis 2-0 last weekend in a fairly uneventful game. Beñat Turrientes started that one, but has since picked up an injury, although Luka Sucic may have returned this weekend in any case. Few other changes are expected, with Sergio Gomez the only other player who looks to have a decent crack at breaking into the eleven.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Muñoz, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Brais Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)

16:15 – Athletic Club vs Villarreal

Athletic rested Yuri Berchiche, Oscar de Marcos, Gorka Guruzeta and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta on Wednesday, but still had enough to beat Real Madrid, with Guruzeta coming off the bench to score the winner. We could see those four return on Sunday for another big game against top four rivals. Aitor Paredes should also rotate in, while Ernesto Valverde may consider resting one of the Williams brothers, or Oihan Sancet, which would enable Alex Berenguer to feature again after his midweek goal.

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

While Athletic were upsetting Los Blancos, Villarreal were losing at third tier strugglers Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey, so these sides have had very different weeks. Logan Costa, Dani Parejo, Gerard Moreno and Thierno Barry were among the starters in that game. It was such a dismal performance that Marcelino may be tempted to axe one or two of those players here, although injuries do limit his options considerably. The visitors are also missing the suspended Sergi Cardona, so Juan Bernat should start at left-back. Ayoze Perez is fit again, but may only make the bench.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Bernat, Costa, Albiol, Femenia – Gueye, Parejo, Comesaña – Baena, Barry, Yeremi Pino (4-3-3)

18:30 – Osasuna vs Alaves

There has been a big blow for Osasuna who have lost Bryan Zaragoza to an injury which may keep him out for a couple of months. Moi Gomez and Ruben Peña are options to replace him. Otherwise, they’ve no major issues and Vicente Moreno may pick a similar eleven to the side that drew at Sevilla on Monday, although Lucas Torro should return in midfield.

Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Moi Gomez, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)

There was surprising news in Vitoria earlier this week, with Luis Garcia sacked by Alaves. Former Celta Vigo boss Chacho Coudet has replaced him and comes with an attacking reputation, with a distinctive 4-1-3-2 system frequently used during his time in Galicia. Alaves were beaten on penalties in the cup by minnows Club Deportiva Minera on Thursday in their first game under Coudet, despite naming a very strong eleven. It was substitute Kike Garcia who scored both of their goals in that one, suggesting he may come in, but otherwise it may be a similar team again.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Sanchez, Mourino, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco, Jordan – Martinez, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla

It was an excellent performance from Atleti last weekend as they put five unanswered goals past Real Valladolid. After some midweek rotation and a cup scare at Cacereño, Diego Simeone may simply revert to the same eleven players this Sunday. That would mean leaving Koke out once again, while Robin Le Normand is also likely to be on the bench after getting 45 minutes in the cup as he returns to fitness.

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

There’s a doubt over Albert Sambi Lokonga for Sevilla which could potentially mean a start for Atleti loanee Saul as he heads to the Estadio Metropolitano as an opposition player for the first time. Orjan Nyland is fit again and may return in goal. Garcia Pimienta is currently favouring Peque, Isaac Romero and Dodi Lukebakio in attack, although Stanis Idumbo Muzambo and Kelechi Iheanacho are alternative options.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Salas, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Sow, Saul – Peque, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)

Monday 9th December 2024

21:00 – Getafe vs Espanyol

Getafe were beaten 2-0 at the Bernabeu last time out in the league, but should have Bertug Yildirim available again on Monday night. That will give them a bit more presence in attack. Allan Nyom may drop back to right-back to allow for a slightly more attacking winger too, but Pepe Bordalas’ team are still struggling for goals and failed to score again in a Copa del Rey tie on Thursday night that they ultimately won on penalties.

Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Alderete, Duarte, Nyom – Sola, Arambarri, Milla, Perez – Uche – Yildirim (4-4-1-1)

Espanyol beat Celta Vigo 3-1 last time out in LaLiga, potentially keeping Manolo Gonzalez in a job in the process. They are missing the suspended Marash Kumbulla on Monday, so Sergi Gomez may return in defence. Paris-born, Canada U20 international Justin Smith was a surprise starter in that win and may keep his place in midfield here, with Manolo likely to opt for continuity.

Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Olivan, Cabrera, Sergi Gomez, El Hilali – Smith, Kral, Lozano – Puado, Cardona, Jofre (4-3-3)

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