The Spanish top flight returns in full, following on from the international break and a Thursday night fixture in Barcelona, with all 20 teams in action over the next few days. The Seville derby tops the bill on Sunday night at the Benito Villamarin. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 29.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 29
Saturday 29th March 2025
14:00 – Real Sociedad vs Real Valladolid
La Real probably needed the international break more than most teams given their packed schedule so far in 2025. They are in Copa del Rey semi-final action at the Bernabeu this coming Tuesday though, so it’s still something of a guessing game when it comes to Imanol’s rotation ahead of this match. Take Kubo and Jon Aramburu have had the longest trips back from international matches, so they are among the strongest candidates to be rested. There are also problems in midfield with Brais Mendez injured, while Luka Sucic and Arsen Zakharyan are doubts. Ander Barrenetxea is suspended.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – J. Lopez, Aguerd, Zubeldia, Elustondo – S. Gomez, Zubimendi, Olasagasti – Oyarzabal, Oskarsson, Mariezkurrena (4-3-3)
Karl Hein is an injury concern for Real Valladolid this weekend, so Andre Ferreira could make a rare start in goal, although he’s only just fighting back to fitness himself. Joseph Aidoo could return in defence after returning from injury, but striker Marcos Andre is rated doubtful for LaLiga’s bottom club.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Aznou, Aidoo, J. Sanchez, L. Perez – Moro, Nikitscher, Grillitsch, Martin – Sylla, Latasa (4-4-2)
16:15 – Espanyol vs Atletico Madrid
Espanyol have been one of the form teams among those fighting against relegation at the bottom of the table. A settled lineup has contributed to that, and there aren’t likely to be many surprises from Manolo Gonzalez on Saturday. Pol Lozano is expected to return in midfield, with Edu Exposito dropping to the bench, in what could be the only change from the defeat at Mallorca last time out.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Gonzalez de Zarate, Lozano, Kral – Puado, R. Fernandez, Jofre (4-3-3)
With five players in the Argentina squad alone, it has been a busy fortnight for Atletico Madrid’s internationals, on the back of a miserable week that saw their Champions League dream die and their LaLiga title hopes fade. They host Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg this coming week in a game that will now be a massive priority. Diego Simeone may well limit the game-time of the likes of Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul here as a result, although it’s tough to know whether that will see them replaced early, or only used off the bench.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Lenglet, Le Normand, Molina – Lino, Barrios, Llorente, Simeone – Alvarez, Griezmann (4-4-2)
18:30 – Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano
There’s expected to be a full squad for Chacho Coudet to choose from this weekend, and that ought to mean Antonio Sivera returns in goal for Alaves. Top scorer Kike Garcia is also available and should return up top alongside either Carlos Martin or Toni Martinez. Alaves may also bring Antonio Blanco back in at the base of the midfield in another change from the 2-2 draw at Las Palmas last time out when they conceded two goals after the 90th minute in a big late blow to their survival hopes.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – M. Sanchez, Mouriño, Abqar, Tenaglia – Blanco – Aleña, Jordan, C. Vicente – T. Martinez, Kike Garcia (4-1-3-2)
Rayo are missing their two first-choice central defenders with Florian Lejeune suspended and Abdul Mumin dealing with an injury. That could leave them vulnerable at the back here, but they have more options further up the pitch now, with Isi Palazon and Randy Nteka fit enough to play some part, although it’s unclear whether either will start. Sergio Camello is still sidelined.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Ciss, Ratiu – Valentin, Diaz – A. Garcia, U. Lopez, De Frutos – Embarba (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Real Madrid vs Leganes
Thibaut Courtois is an injury doubt for Real Madrid heading into this game, suggesting Andriy Lunin may get a rare start in the league. Ferland Mendy is also a fitness concern, while Dani Ceballos has not recovered from his injury yet. Carlo Ancelotti must decide whether to start his South American international contingent, or whether to hold one or two back, taking into account the packed schedule ahead.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Lunin – F. Garcia, Asencio, Rudiger, L. Vazquez – Bellingham, Tchouameni, Valverde, Rodrygo – Vinicius, Mbappe (4-4-2)
Leganes threw away a two-goal lead to lose at home to Real Betis last time out. They have an injury doubt over Yvan Neyou heading into this game, but otherwise there are no fresh issues for Borja Jimenez who may adopt a back five. Dani Raba is in decent form up front and should lead the line, either on his own, or alongside Diego Garcia or Miguel de la Fuente.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – Cruz, J. Hernandez, Nastasic, Sergio, Rosier – Cisse, Tapia, Brasanac – D. Garcia, Raba (5-3-2)
Sunday 30th March 2025
14:00 – Getafe vs Villarreal
Getafe are one of the form teams in the division right now, but Ramon Terrats, their two-goal hero from the win at Osasuna last time out, is ineligible to play against his parent club on Sunday. Christantus Uche also misses out due to suspension, but there are no injury problems for Pepe Bordalas to worry about right now. The main uncertainty surrounds the wide midfield and forward positions for this game, with Borja Mayoral, Alvaro Rodriguez and Juanmi competing for starts up top.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Alderete, Djene – Coba, Arambarri, Milla, Iglesias – Juanmi, Mayoral (4-4-1-1)
Pape Gueye is an injury doubt for Villarreal this weekend, which could see both Dani Parejo and Santi Comesaña start in midfield. Other changes are possible after successive defeats, with the fit-again Yeremi Pino pushing for a start on the right flank, while Nicolas Pepe and Thierno Barry are most likely competing for one place up top again alongside Ayoze Perez.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Conde – Cardona, Costa, Kambwala, Foyth – Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Pino – Ayoze, Pepe (4-4-2)
16:15 – Barcelona vs Girona
There was no Raphinha or Robert Lewandowski in the Barcelona XI on Thursday night, but they still cruised past Osasuna 3-0. An injury sustained by Dani Olmo was the only sour note on another good night for the league leaders. It’s unclear whether Olmo will be fit enough to start this game, while Hansi Flick may weigh up whether or not to rest Lamine Yamal after the teenager completed 90 minutes last time out, having clocked up 120 minutes for Spain last Sunday. Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo may come into the defence, with rotation expected ahead of a Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Kounde – Pedri, De Jong – Raphinha, Fermin, Ferran – Lewandowski (4-2-3-1)
With winger Bryan Gil out for the rest of the season, Girona need to find fresh solutions in attack. Michel will also have to cope without the suspended Donny van de Beek here, while midfielder Ivan Martin is also sidelined with an injury. Oriol Romeu cannot play against his parent club, but Arthur should start against his old team given the other midfield issues.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Krejci, D. Lopez A. Martinez – M. Gutierrez, Herrera, Arthur – Danjuma, Miovski, Tsygankov (4-3-3)
18:30 – Valencia vs Mallorca
Home advantage has been key for Valencia since the turn of the year and another win here would have them inching further towards safety. Carlos Corberan has few major selection issues right now, but he’s likely to revert to a back four, having started five defenders at Girona last time out. That should mean a recall for Luis Rioja, with Mouctar Diakhaby the defender most likely to lose his place. Hugo Duro is fit again, but he’s unlikely to dislodge in-form Umar Sadiq up front.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Tarrega, Mosquera, Foulquier – Guerra, Barrenechea – D. Lopez, Almeida, Rioja – Sadiq (4-2-3-1)
Robert Navarro is Mallorca’s only injury concern heading into this game, so Jagoba Arrasate is in a good position to field a strong lineup as the Balearic Islanders bid to extend a six-game unbeaten run. They dominated the game against Espanyol last time out, so an unchanged XI is possible here, although Omar Mascarell is pushing for a recall in midfield.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Greif – Mojica, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo – Samu Costa, Morlanes – D. Rodriguez, Darder, Asano – Muriqi (4-2-3-1)
18:30 – Athletic Club vs Osasuna
Athletic return from the international break with injury doubts remaining over key men Dani Vivian and Oihan Sancet. Despite winning at Sevilla last time out, several changes are still expected from Ernesto Valverde, with Nico Williams and Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta both likely to come in. Aitor Paredes is also fit again and could come into the defence. Gorka Guruzeta and Maroan Sannadi are fighting for one place up front.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Yuri, Paredes, Yeray, Gorosabel – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta – N. Williams, Berenguer, I. Williams – Sannadi (4-2-3-1)
Osasuna left internationals Ante Budimir and Enzo Boyomo on the bench in Barcelona on Thursday, but both should return to the starting XI on Sunday in Bilbao. One man who won’t be present is Sergio Herrera who picked up a fifth booking of the season at the Estadi Olimpic. Aitor Fernandez will fill in between the sticks for the Pamplona-based side that has now won just one of their last 16 games in LaLiga. Lucas Torro returns from suspension and should start in midfield.
Osasuna predicted lineup: A. Fernandez – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola, Oroz – Bretones, Budimir, Ruben Garcia (4-3-3)
21:00 – Real Betis vs Sevilla
Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis come flying into this game following five straight league victories. With Marc Roca the only injury absentee, it’ll be a strong XI that takes to the field at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday for Spain’s fiercest local derby. There are a few areas where it’s unclear who is viewed as the first choice option though, notably in defence where Romain Perraud and Ricardo Rodriguez are battling for the start at left-back, while Marc Bartra and Natan are in a similar predicament at centre-back. Johnny Cardoso should return from suspension in midfield.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Adrian – Rodriguez, Bartra, Llorente, Sabaly – Altimira, Cardoso – J. Rodriguez, Isco, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)
There are problems in midfield for Sevilla heading into this game, with Lucien Agoume and Djibril Sow both suspended. That’s likely to result in Nemanja Gudelj starting in the middle of the park, although Albert Sambi Lokonga is an alternative option. Ruben Vargas is also in with a good chance of being recalled on the left flank.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Salas, Bade, Carmona – Juanlu, Gudelj, Saul – Vargas, Romero, Lukebakio (4-3-3)
Monday 31st March 2025
21:00 – Celta Vigo vs Las Palmas
Oscar Mingueza, a starter for Spain in the Nations League last weekend, won’t feature for his club in this game due to suspension. Williot Swedberg is the only other selection doubt for Claudio Giraldez. Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias have started their last two games in attack, both of which ended in Celta wins, but it’s always safe to expect the unexpected when it comes to the Galician team’s lineups.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez – H. Alvarez, Sotelo, Beltran, Carreira – Alfon, Aspas – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
The selection problems of Las Palmas have largely eased, but their form remains poor. Viti Rozada may return to the lineup at right-back for this game, while Dario Essugo is also available again and likely to come back into the midfield. Fabio Silva and Alberto Moleiro scored very late goals to salvage a point against Alaves last time out, and both should start again here.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Cillessen – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Rozada – Campaña, J. Muñoz, Essugo – Moleiro, F. Silva, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)
