The Seville derby is the headline act in Spain this weekend as LaLiga signs off for the international break. Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid travel to Real Sociedad and Real Madrid host Villarreal, while leaders Barcelona are in Vitoria to take on Alaves. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 9, featuring all the clubs in action this weekend.

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LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 9

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Friday 4th October 2024

21:00 – Leganes vs Valencia

It’s back-to-back away derby draws for Leganes which is something to build from at least for the newly promoted club. Only centre-back Sergio Gonzalez has started all of their eight league fixtures to date, with Borja Jimenez frequently chopping and changing, particularly in the attacking third which remains wildly unpredictable from week to week with players coming in and out. We could see changes in that department again this weekend.

Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Javi Hernandez, Nastasic, Gonzalez, Rosier – Tapia, Brasanac – Franquesa, Roberto Lopez, Cruz – Haller (4-2-3-1)

Ruben Baraja is one of a number of LaLiga coaches who may be fighting for his job this weekend following a poor start to the season. We’ll see at least one change to the eleven that lost at Real Sociedad last time out as a result of Jesus Vazquez’s injury. It’s unlikely that Baraja will rock the boat too much in terms of his team selection though with relatively limited options available to him, given the likes of Jose Luis Gaya, Rafa Mir and Mouctar Diakhaby remain out.

Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gasiorowski, Tarrega, Mosquera, Correia – Pepelu, Barrenechea – Rioja, Almeida, Diego Lopez – Duro (4-2-3-1)

Saturday 5th October 2024

14:00 – Espanyol vs Mallorca

Espanyol have lost their last three and they’ve also been hit with a big setback with top scorer Javi Puado ruled out for at least a month with a knee injury. That was the last thing the newly promoted side needed. Manolo may respond by pairing Alejo Veliz with Walid Cheddira up top, although Pere Milla is an alternative option. Leandro Cabrera has also suffered an injury setback which limits his options in defence.

Espanyol predicted lineup: Joan Garcia – Romero, Gomez, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Jofre, Kral, Lozano, Tejero – Milla, Veliz (4-4-2)

As far as LaLiga teams likely to reel off straight three away wins go, Mallorca have been very much near the bottom of that list in recent years, but the Balearic Islanders come into this after a hat-trick of road wins. That’s despite an injury to key striker Vedat Muriqi who is absent again here. With more than a week since their last game, they should be fresh to go again here and we shouldn’t see too many changes from Jagoba Arrasate. His main decision may be whether or not to recall the fit again Martin Valjent in defence.

Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Mascarell, Costa – Dani Rodriguez, Darder, Navarro – Larin (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Getafe vs Osasuna

It was victory at the eighth time of asking for Getafe last weekend against Alaves and they’ll fancy they can back that up here. With no absentees expected, Pepe Bordalas could go with an unchanged eleven. His biggest call may be whether or not to bring Borja Mayoral in for his first start of the season up top after a lengthy injury absence, or whether to stick with Bertug Yildirim who is yet to score in six appearances in LaLiga.

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

Osasuna upset Barcelona with a thrilling 4-2 victory at El Sadar last time out, with Bryan Zaragoza and Ante Budimir the chief architects in the downfall of Hansi Flick’s admittedly inexperienced side. This will be a very different kind of test and Vicente Moreno should go with what he sees as his best eleven, which may mean a return for Abel Bretones at left-back in what could be the only change from last weekend. Midfielder Jon Moncayola is still an injury concern.

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

18:30 – Real Valladolid vs Rayo Vallecano

Paulo Pezzolano is another under pressure coach, with his Real Valladolid side the lowest scorers in LaLiga and winless since the opening day. He’s likely to make changes after a home defeat to Mallorca last time out and may be forced into one at right-back with Luis Perez an injury doubt. Kike Perez, Raul Moro and Lucas Rosa are perhaps the only outfielders who can feel truly confident about keeping their place for this game with Pezzolano some way off figuring out his best eleven.

Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Hein – Rosa, Juma Bah, Maroto, Chasco – Amallah, Comert, Kike Perez – Moro, Latasa, Ivan Sanchez (4-3-3)

It’s four draws out of eight for Rayo so far, but only two defeats and Iñigo Perez looks to have a bit more depth to his squad this term than was the case last season. His main selection issues right now are at left-back with both Pep Chavarria and Alfonso Espino injured. Right-sided Ivan Balliu looks set to fill in again here in an unchanged backline. Things get much more interesting further up the pitch. James Rodriguez made his first Rayo start against Leganes last time out, but the likes of Isi Palazon and Oscar Valentin could rotate back in this weekend.

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

18:30 – Las Palmas vs Celta Vigo

Winless Las Palmas need to pull something out of the bag here with Luis Carrion, the most recent LaLiga coach to take up his current job, in danger of becoming the first sacking of the new campaign. There is a great deal of uncertainty about their eleven for this match with Jasper Cillessen, Mika Marmol, Scott McKenna and Sandro all injury doubts. All four could start if passed fit, but that seems unlikely at this point, meaning Dinko Horkas should continue in goal.

Las Palmas predicted lineup: Horkas – Alex Muñoz, Alex Suarez, Herzog, Rozada – Kirian, Essugo – Silva, Moleiro, Javi Muñoz – McBurnie (4-2-3-1)

Claudio Giraldez is always full of surprises when it comes to his team selection. Iago Aspas, Hugo Alvarez and Oscar Mingueza are the only players to have started more than five of the Galician side’s eight matches this term. Aspas and Alvarez were both rested last time out which suggests both should start this one. Elsewhere, the side is as unpredictable as ever with six players genuinely competing for the three central defensive positions, and it’s a similar story across the pitch. Luca de la Torre is their only confirmed absentee.

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

21:00 – Real Madrid vs Villarreal

After suffering their first loss inside 90 minutes in more than a year in midweek, Carlo Ancelotti should shuffle back to something close to his best eleven here for the visit of Villarreal. Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo should both be in a position to start which ought to mean a return to a 4-3-3. Andriy Lunin will continue in goal with Thibaut Courtois sidelined. In defence and midfield, the Real Madrid boss may consider fresh legs after a taxing week, but he’ll be respectful of a strong Villarreal side and with an international break immediately following this, widespread rotation seems unlikely.

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

It bodes well for Villarreal’s hopes this season that even with Gerard Moreno and in-form Ayoze Perez injured, they played well and scored three goals against Las Palmas on Monday. Nicolas Pepe and Thierno Barry both scored in that game and should lead the line again here, unless Ayoze recovers in time, with Marcelino’s side likely to look to play on the break. Alex Baena should rotate back in on the left flank while Santi Comesaña will compete with Dani Parejo and Pape Gueye for a start in midfield.

Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Bailly, Femenia – Baena, Gueye, Comesaña, Ilias – Barry, Pepe (4-4-2)

Sunday 6th October 2024

14:00 – Girona vs Athletic Club

Girona suffered a major setback in midweek as they lost at home to Feyenoord in the Champions League with two own goals contributing to a 3-2 defeat. Injuries to key men Daley Blind and Viktor Tsygankov add to their problems here and like a few other coaches of European teams in LaLiga, there is a sense that Michel hasn’t really got the balance right in terms of judging how to manage this busy schedule. A few changes are expected again here, with Alejandro Frances, Arnaut Danjuma, Yaser Asprilla and Abel Ruiz among the most likely players to rotate in.

Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel Gutierrez, Krejci, David Lopez, Frances – Martin, Herrera – Danjuma, Asprilla, Portu – Ruiz (4-2-3-1)

Ernesto Valverde went really strong in the Europa League on Thursday night against AZ, so we can expect at least some light rotation from Athletic, although with much of his squad not heading off on international trips, the next fortnight will provide an opportunity to rest up. There will certainly be a change in goal given Julen Agirrezabala’s suspension while the full-backs may also change from Thursday night.

Athletic Club predicted lineup: Padilla – Lekue, Nuñez, Vivian, De Marcos – Vesga, Ruiz de Galarreta – Nico Williams, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)

16:15 – Alaves vs Barcelona

Alaves lost 2-0 at Getafe last time out, their worst result of the season in many respects. With Luis Garcia yet to really show any signs that he has, or even wants a clear first choice eleven, his thinking is hard to read here, but it’s safe to assume there’ll most likely be changes in midfield and attack again. They’ve also had injury concerns over both centre-backs this week, but Abdel Abqar is expected to be fit. Aleksandar Sedlar is rated doubtful.

Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Sanchez, Mouriño, Abqar, Tenaglia – Jordan, Guevara – Conechny, Guridi, Vicente – Kike Garcia (4-2-3-1)

Having decided against any major rotation for the duration of his short Barca reign, Hansi Flick opted to rest a number of key players for the first time last weekend, unquestionably a factor in their 4-2 loss at Osasuna. He went strong in midweek against Young Boys in a dominant 5-0 win and is likely to do likewise here, with this match five days on from their Champions League game on Tuesday. Having been suspended in midweek, Eric Garcia should return in midfield, while it’s possible that Pablo Torre could rotate in for Marc Casado. Frenkie de Jong is also fit again and could feature off the bench. Iñaki Peña is expected to continue in goal, although that could change after the international break with Wojciech Szczesny coming out of retirement to sign for the Catalans.

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

18:30 – Sevilla vs Real Betis

Derby day in Seville is no time to rotate, so we should see both sides go as strong as possible at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan. Recently appointed Garcia Pimienta has bizarrely signed a contract extension despite a poor start to the campaign, but he remains under pressure. A good point in Bilbao last time out is at least something to build from and they ought to have central defender and captain Marcao available this week. Striker Isaac Romero is also fit and could start the game.

Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Barco, Marcao, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Agoume – Ejuke, Peque, Lukebakio – Romero (4-2-3-1)

Betis lost in the Conference League on Thursday in Poland, but Manuel Pellegrini held a number of players back, including red hot Giovani Lo Celso who didn’t travel to Warsaw. It’ll be a much stronger eleven for the derby, potentially the same team as the one that started last weekend’s league win over Espanyol, although Pablo Fornals should replace Iker Losada on the right flank.

Real Betis predicted lineup: Silva – Rodriguez, Natan, Llorente, Bellerin – Roca, Altimira – Abde, Lo Celso, Fornals – Bakambu (4-2-3-1)

21:00 – Real Sociedad vs Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad’s season looked to finally have lift-off when they defeated Valencia 3-0 last weekend, but a Europa League home defeat against Anderlecht on Thursday evening was an immediate setback. Imanol could potentially change his entire outfield from that game which saw a host of fringe players start. Hamari Traore and Arsen Zakharyan are their only definite injury absentees.

Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Javi Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Aramburu – Sergio Gomez, Zubimendi, Sucic – Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)

Atleti suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat in Lisbon against Benfica on Wednesday in what was easily one of their worst performances during Diego Simeone’s long reign. They are likely to be missing Robin Le Normand again here after the serious head injury he suffered last weekend in the Madrid derby. Marcos Llorente is suspended, so Nahuel Molina should start on the right flank. Alexander Sorloth may rotate in up front, while Rodrigo Riquelme is an option if Simeone wants to rest Samuel Lino who played 90 minutes in Portugal.

Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Reinildo, Gimenez, Witsel – Riquelme, Gallagher, Koke, De Paul, Molina – Griezmann, Sorloth (3-5-2)

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