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Barcelona can win the title this week, and they can do so at the home of local rivals Espanyol in a repeat of their 2022/23 title triumph. However, a Real Madrid slip-up at home to Mallorca 24 hours earlier would also confirm Hansi Flick’s side as the new champions. There are also a number of other key games over the next few days, including Sevilla’s relegation six-pointer against Las Palmas. Here are our LaLiga predicted lineups for matchday 36.
LaLiga predicted lineups – Matchday 36
Tuesday 13th May 2025
19:00 – Real Valladolid vs Girona
Real Valladolid put in one of their better performances of the season at the weekend, but they still suffered a ninth straight defeat at Mallorca. Alvaro Rubio is likely to again make some changes following that game, but he’s still really short on options at centre-back as a result of injuries for David Torres, Joseph Aidoo and Javi Sanchez.
Real Valladolid predicted lineup: Ferreira – Henrique, Ozkacar, Comert, Candela – Martin, Nikitscher – Moro, Chuki, I. Sanchez – Sylla (4-2-3-1)
This is a huge game for Girona who lost at the weekend, but may only need to win one more match to stay in the top flight. Michel has a number of selection issues, with at least two changes necessary as a result of suspensions for Ladislav Krejci and Yangel Herrera. Christian Stuani, scorer of their last three goals, is also a fitness concern, and the 38-year-old may drop to the bench, with Abel Ruiz, Bojan Miovski and Arnaut Danjuma all options to replace him.
Girona predicted lineup: Gazzaniga – Blind, Juanpe, D. Lopez, A. Martinez – Romeu, Martin, Arthur – Portu, Ruiz, Tsygankov (3-4-3)
20:00 – Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo
It’s now looking likely that Real Sociedad will miss out on European qualification, with a 4-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid their latest setback. Imanol withdrew Take Kubo and Mikel Oyarzabal at half-time in that game, presumably with a view to keeping both fresh for this one. We’re likely to see a fair amount of rotation in other areas though, while centre-back Nayef Aguerd has been ruled out with an injury. Igor Zubeldia is fit again and did feature off the bench in Madrid which suggests he may be among those to rotate in.
Real Sociedad predicted lineup: Remiro – Muñoz, Martin, Zubeldia, Traore – B. Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic – S. Gomez, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)
Celta saw off Sevilla on Saturday, but widespread rotation is almost a given from Claudio Giraldez as we head into Tuesday’s match. He remains the least predictable coach in LaLiga when it comes to his starting lineups, but the defence is at least a bit easier to read for this game, given Marcos Alonso is suspended, while Jailson and Carl Starfelt are both out injured. We could potentially see the whole frontline change, with Borja Iglesias and Alfon Gonzalez hoping to come in.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup: Guaita – C. Dominguez, J. Rodriguez, Lago – Mingueza, Sotelo, Beltran, Carreira – Alfon, F. Lopez – Iglesias (3-4-2-1)
21:30 – Sevilla vs Las Palmas
Isaac Romero is suspended, so Sevilla’s caretaker boss Joaquin Caparros may again use Dodi Lukebakio as a striker in this crucial game for his team. The Sevilla squad spent the night at the training ground on Saturday as a result of angry protests from some supporters after their defeat in Vigo, and there’ll be real pressure on whoever makes the home starting XI here. They have an injury doubt over Kike Salas and it’s unclear whether he’ll recover in time to start the match. Jose Angel Carmona is available again and should return at right-back.
Sevilla predicted lineup: Nyland – Pedrosa, Ramon, Bade, Carmona – Gudelj, Agoume – Peque, Saul, Suso – Lukebakio (4-2-3-1)
This is also a massive game for Las Palmas who are in deep trouble now after three straight defeats. They’ve also been rocked by a huge injury blow, with top scorer Fabio Silva suffering an injury relapse meaning he’s now set to miss the remainder of the campaign. There are no fresh issues for Diego Martinez who is at least expected to have Scott McKenna available again for this crucial relegation six-pointer. Sandro Ramirez, Jasper Cillessen and Jose Campaña are also options should he decide further changes are needed, but Dinko Horkas will be hoping for another opportunity in goal.
Las Palmas predicted lineup: Horkas – Marmol, McKenna, A. Suarez, Rozada – Bajcetic, J. Muñoz, Essugo – Moleiro, McBurnie, S. Ramirez (4-3-3)
Wednesday 14th May 2025
19:00 – Alaves vs Valencia
Chacho Coudet left regulars Kike Garcia and Nahuel Tenaglia on the bench in Bilbao at the weekend, with both players dealing with minor niggles. Both could return here though, with the Alaves boss expected to have a full squad to pick from, with the exception of centre-back Abdel Abqar who is injured. We may see a few other changes, with some fresh legs coming in, but we’re not likely to see a major deviation from Alaves’ best XI given the importance of this fixture from their perspective.
Alaves predicted lineup: Sivera – Diarra, Garces, Mouriño, Tenaglia – Blanco, Jordan – C. Martin, Guridi, C. Vicente – K. Garcia (4-2-3-1)
Los Che are missing their midfielder Javi Guerra to suspension, so it seems clear that Enzo Barrenechea will return to partner Pepelu in the centre of the park. Carlos Corberan’s side now have an outside shot at European qualification, so we may not see too many other changes, although Andre Almeida is a doubt with a head injury. If he fails to recover, we could potentially see a shift in system with Rafa Mir or Umar Sadiq coming into the attack alongside Hugo Duro.
Valencia predicted lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Mosquera, Tarrega, Foulquier – Pepelu, Barrenechea – D. Lopez, Almeida, Rioja – Duro (4-2-3-1)
19:00 – Villarreal vs Leganes
21-year-old Karl Etta Eyong was the late hero for Villarreal on Sunday, as they left Girona with maximum points thanks to an 89th-minute goal from the substitute. He’s still unlikely to be rewarded with a start here, but Marcelino could make at least a couple of changes to freshen things up, with Dani Parejo and Alfonso Pedraza both strong candidates to come in. Willy Kambwala, Gerard Moreno and Tajon Buchanan are also pushing for starts. Thierno Barry and Kiko Femenia are both injury doubts again.
Villarreal predicted lineup: Junior – Pedraza, Costa, Foyth, Navarro – Baena, Parejo, Comesaña, Pino – A. Perez, Pepe (4-4-2)
Leganes are still alive and fighting following a four-match unbeaten run, culminating in a vital 3-2 win over Espanyol at the weekend. They’ve no fresh selection issues, so Borja Jimenez must decide whether to largely go with the same players here, or whether to rest a few for this weekend’s six-pointer at Las Palmas. The former approach looks more likely after a good win, although we could still see one or two personnel changes, and a slightly more conservative system for this tough away trip.
Leganes predicted lineup: Dmitrovic – S. Gonzalez, Saenz, Rosier – J. Hernandez, Neyou, Tapia, Cisse, Altimira – Munir, Raba (3-5-2)
21:30 – Real Madrid vs Mallorca
Carlo Ancelotti is now officially into his final few games as Real Madrid boss, and he’s running out players to pick from with no fewer than nine senior players unavailable for this game. That includes Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez who are the latest to pick up injuries, while Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended for this match. Youngster Jacobo Ramon is in line for a start in central defence as a result of that, while Fede Valverde should fill in at right-back. There are different ways Ancelotti could look to structure his attack, with Rodrygo, Endrick and Brahim Diaz all vying for places.
Real Madrid predicted lineup: Courtois – F. Garcia, Jacobo, Asencio, Valverde – Ceballos, Modric – Rodrygo, Bellingham, Brahim – Mbappe (4-2-3-1)
Mallorca were pretty unconvincing in their 2-1 weekend win over rock-bottom Real Valladolid, and Jagoba Arrasate’s usual tendency to rotate in midweeks suggests we should see a fair amount of changes for this game. That may include the goalkeeper position where Leo Roman may get another opportunity, while the likes of Cyle Larin, Toni Lato, Jose Manuel Copete, Antonio Sanchez and Mateu Morey also stand a good chance of rotating in, with a switch to a back three also possible for this game.
Mallorca predicted lineup: Roman – Copete, Raillo, Valjent – Lato, S. Costa, Mascarell, Morey – Darder, A. Sanchez – Larin (3-4-2-1)
Thursday 15th May 2025
19:00 – Rayo Vallecano vs Real Betis
Back-to-back victories have pushed Rayo Vallecano back into the running for a European place, but they’ll have to cope without the suspended Isi Palazon for this game. They’ve had a decent amount of recovery time following their 1-0 win at Las Palmas last Friday, so there’s little pressure on Iñigo Perez to rest players here, but we may see Jorge de Frutos earn a recall on the right wing, with Andrei Ratiu likely to drop back to right-back. Pathe Ciss is also hoping to be fit and could come into the midfield.
Rayo Vallecano predicted lineup: Batalla – Chavarria, A. Hernandez, Lejeune, Ratiu – U. Lopez, Diaz – A. Garcia, Ciss, De Frutos – Embarba (4-2-3-1)
After a long night in Florence in Europe, Manuel Pellegrini decided he needed to rest key men Isco, Antony and Johnny Cardoso against Osasuna on Sunday. A much stronger XI is expected at Vallecas on Thursday as a result, one which could largely resemble the team that started against Fiorentina last week, although Cucho Hernandez is available for this game, and will compete with Cedric Bakamabu for a start up front. It’s also unclear whether Adrian or Fran Vietes will start in goal, with the latter potentially getting one last start before the Conference League final.
Real Betis predicted lineup: Vietes – Rodriguez, Bartra, Natan, Sabaly – Cardoso, Fornals – Abde Ez, Isco, Antony – C. Hernandez (4-2-3-1)
19:00 – Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid
Jon Moncayola is the only absentee for Osasuna heading into this game. Vicente Moreno’s side are still in strong contention for European qualification, and we may not see too much change from the XI that started the weekend draw at the Benito Villamarin. However, it’s possible we could see Abel Bretones and Ikor Muñoz come into the side, with the Osasuna boss also likely to have half an eye on this weekend’s home game against Espanyol.
Osasuna predicted lineup: Herrera – Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Muñoz – Bretones, Oroz, Ruben Garcia – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
It took Alexander Sorloth just 30 minutes to score four goals at the weekend, the second season in a row that the Norwegian striker has scored four in a single LaLiga game. He’ll surely keep his place here, with a shift to a 4-4-2 expected given Julian Alvarez is available again. Diego Simeone has a full squad to pick from, and is still expected to name a strong XI, despite his side having little to play for.
Atletico Madrid predicted lineup: Oblak – Galan, Le Normand, Gimenez, Llorente – Lino, Barrios, De Paul, Simeone – Alvarez, Sorloth (4-4-2)
21:30 – Getafe vs Athletic Club
Getafe are one of a number of sides just below the 40-point mark who could perhaps do with one more victory in order to absolutely guarantee safety. Pepe Bordalas is again hampered by suspensions this weekend, with Djene’s ban extended to three matches, while fellow defender Juan Berrocal is out following a booking in the defeat at Valencia. We should see a few changes here after a poor showing in that game, with both Mauro Arambarri and Christantus Uche likely to return in midfield following suspensions.
Getafe predicted lineup: Soria – Rico, Duarte, Alderete, Iglesias – Coba, Arambarri, Milla, Terrats – Uche – Mayoral (4-4-1-1)
Top scorer Oihan Sancet was fit enough to feature off the bench for Athletic in their weekend win over Alaves. That suggests he should come back into the starting XI for this game, but the Basques still have fitness doubts over both Williams brothers. Beñat Prados is also dealing with an injury, so Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar may continue in midfield, although some rotation is likely in the wide areas, and potentially up front.
Athletic Club predicted lineup: Simon – Boiro, Vivian, Yeray, Gorosabel – Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta – Berenguer, Sancet, Djalo – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
21:30 – Espanyol vs Barcelona
Espanyol’s revival has been halted by three straight defeats, and they’d dearly love to end that run here and prevent their bitter rivals from enjoying another title party at the RCDE Stadium. They’ve no fresh selection issues, but do again have a doubt over the fitness of their midfielder Pol Lozano, with Alex Kral again likely to start if he doesn’t make it. We may not see many other changes from Manolo Gonzalez who has been very consistent with his team selections, and isn’t likely to rest anyone for the derby. However, Omar El Hilali is available again and is set to return at right-back.
Espanyol predicted lineup: J. Garcia – Romero, Cabrera, Kumbulla, El Hilali – Gonzalez de Zarate, Kral, Exposito – Puado, R. Fernandez, Jofre (4-3-3)
Barca will need to make at least one change following their victory in El Clasico as a result of a suspension for Iñigo Martinez. That should serve up an opportunity to either Ronald Araujo or Andreas Christensen. Alejandro Balde is also likely to return at left-back, while Fermin Lopez and Robert Lewandowski are the other leading options should Hansi Flick want fresh legs in this game, although in-form Ferran Torres may have done enough to keep his place up top.
Barcelona predicted lineup: Szczesny – Balde, Cubarsi, Araujo, E. Garcia – De Jong, Pedri – Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal – Ferran (4-2-3-1)
