It’s Clasico weekend in Spain with Real Madrid and Barcelona facing off at the Olympic Stadium in the Catalan capital. By the time it kicks off, it may well be that Girona rather than either of the “big two” are top of LaLiga though. Here’s our full 2023/24 LaLiga matchday 11 preview, complete with predicted lineups for every team and the best fantasy football picks.
LaLiga Matchday 11 Preview & Predicted Lineups
Friday 27th October 2023
21:00 – Girona vs Celta Vigo
| Girona | Celta Vigo | |
| Win Probability | 54% | 22% |
Girona are on fire, coming back from 2-0 down to win 5-2 last weekend with recent signings Savio and Artem Dovbyk among the scorers. They only need a point to return to the top on Friday and they’ll fancy their chances against a Celta Vigo side that can seemingly do no right under Rafa Benitez. The Celta boss has switched to a back four in recent games but his team are still struggling to put points on the board, even in games when they create plenty of chances.
Predicted Girona Lineup: Gazzaniga – Miguel, Blind, Eric Garcia, Couto – David Lopez, Aleix Garcia, Herrera – Savio, Dovbyk, Ivan Martin (4-3-3)
Predicted Celta Vigo Lineup: Guaita– Manu Sanchez, Nuñez, Starfelt, Kevin – Bamba, De La Torre, Beltran, Mingueza – Aspas, Larsen (4-4-2)
Saturday 28th October 2023
14:00 – Almeria vs Las Palmas
| Almeria | Las Palmas | |
| Win Probability | 40% | 33% |
Almeria started brightly in Gaizka Garitano’s first game with a brace from Leo Baptistao but they still ended up collapsing defensively and it’s now 29 goals conceded in 10 matches so far this term. It’s a massive job for the new boss but if they’re going to start winning games, this may be as good a chance as they’ll get at home (where they have been scoring freely) against newly promoted Las Palmas who fell to a late defeat against Rayo last time out.
Predicted Almeria Lineup: Fernando – Centelles, Montes, Edgar, Pozo – Baba, Lopy – Embarba, Robertone, Arribas – Baptistao (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Las Palmas Lineup: Valles – Cardona, Marmol, Alex Suarez, Araujo – Kirian Rodriguez, Loiodice, Munoz – Moleiro, Cardona, Munir (4-3-3)
16:15 – Barcelona vs Real Madrid
| Barcelona | Real Madrid | |
| Win Probability | 38% | 36% |
It’s Clasico weekend and it’s a tough one to call. Barcelona have home advantage (of sorts in their temporary abode) but they’re missing key men with Pedri and Jules Kounde ruled out while Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie de Jong are highly unlikely to be fit enough to start, if feature at all. Youngsters like Fermin Lopez have risen to the task in their absence but this is a different task against a star-studded Real Madrid who have Jude Bellingham and Vini Junior spearheading their threat.
Predicted Barcelona Lineup: Ter Stegen – Balde, Christensen, Araujo, Cancelo – Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi – Felix, Ferran, Lamine Yamal (4-3-3)
Predicted Real Madrid Lineup: Kepa – Camavinga, Alaba, Rudiger, Carvajal – Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde – Bellingham – Vini Junior, Rodrygo (4-3-1-2)
18:30 – Mallorca vs Getafe
| Mallorca | Getafe | |
| Win Probability | 42% | 27% |
Mallorca and Getafe both have a reputation for direct football and while there’s a bit more to it than just pumping the ball long to a big man, those are tactics that both certainly use at times. It’s hard to see this developing into a classic. Both teams are still expected to be missing some of their more creative players such as Sergi Darder and Luis Milla (who is nearing fitness at last) so expect a low scoring game.
Predicted Mallorca Lineup: Rajkovic – Lato, Copete, Valjent, Nastacic, Giovanni – Samu, Antonio Sanchez, Dani Rodriguez – Prats, Muriqi (5-3-2)
Predicted Getafe Lineup: Soria – Rico, Gaston, Mitrovic, Iglesias – Djene, Maksimovic, Alena – Mata, Mayoral, Greenwood (4-3-3)
21:00 – Cadiz vs Sevilla
| Cadiz | Sevilla | |
| Win Probability | 31% | 41% |
This Andalusian derby is the best opportunity yet for new Sevilla boss Diego Alonso to pick up his first win. They’ve competed pretty well against Arsenal and Real Madrid but will fancy their chances here more against lowly Cadiz who have lost their last three and have a number of injury doubts.
Predicted Cadiz Lineup: Ledesma – Javi Hernandez, Fali, Lucas Pires, Iza Carcelen – Machis, Alcaraz, Escalante, Alejo – Ramos, Roger Marti (4-4-2)
Predicted Sevilla Lineup: Nyland – Acuna, Ramos, Gudelj, Navas – Sountare, Sow – Lukebakio, Rakitic, Ocampos – En Nesyri (4-2-3-1)
Sunday 29th October 2023
14:00 – Real Betis vs Osasuna
| Real Betis | Osasuna | |
| Win Probability | 47% | 25% |
Real Betis were in action on Thursday night in Europe and with only two fit central defenders, one of whom is inexperienced 20 year old Chadi Riad, they are down to the bare bones in that area of the pitch. Osasuna will be hoping to take advantage of that and they did manage to pick up their first home win of the season last time out with Ante Budimir bagging a brace to sink Granada. Jagoba Arrasate’s team will fancy they can start climbing the table now after a shaky start to the 2023/24 season.
Predicted Real Betis Lineup: Bravo – Abner, Riad, Pezzella, Bellerin – Guido Rodriguez, Roca – Rodri, Isco, Assane – Ayoze Perez (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Osasuna Lineup: Herrera – Pena, David Garcia, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola – Moi Gomez, Aimar Oroz, Avila – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
16:15 – Rayo Vallecano vs Real Sociedad
| Rayo Vallecano | Real Sociedad | |
| Win Probability | 30% | 40% |
This should be a good game between a Rayo Vallecano side that has gone 6 without defeat in LaLiga and Real Sociedad who are in great form and took a big step towards a place in the Champions League knockout stage by winning at Benfica in midweek. Imanol’s team mean business with Take Kubo and Brais Mendez currently the men doing most of the damage in the final third in terms of decisive contributions.
Predicted Rayo Vallecano Lineup: Dimitrievski – Espino, Aridane, Lejeune, Balliu – Ciss, Unai Lopez – Alvaro Garcia, Kike Perez, Isi Palazon – De Tomas (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Real Sociedad Lineup: Remiro – Aihen, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Traore – Merino, Zubimendi, Brais Mendez – Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal, Kubo (4-3-3)
18:30 – Athletic Club vs Valencia
| Athletic Club | Valencia | |
| Win Probability | 56% | 19% |
Valencia got back to winning ways on Monday with a very fast start against Cadiz. Jose Gaya returned to the team and was on the scoresheet, linking up well with new boy Selim Amallah for the opening goal and that combination on the left flank is something to look out for as the season progresses. Athletic have been strong though and will be favourites with home advantage at San Mames and should have both Williams brothers in their lineup this weekend again with Nico fully fit.
Predicted Athletic Club Lineup: Simon – Lekue, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Dani Garcia, Ruiz de Galaretta – Nico Williams, Sancet, Iñaki Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Valencia Lineup: Mamardashvili – Gaya, Gabriel, Mosquera, Correia – Pepelu, Guerra – Amallah, Diego Lopez, Fran Perez – Duro (4-2-3-1)
21:00 – Atletico Madrid vs Alaves
| Atletico Madrid | Alaves | |
| Win Probability | 72% | 10% |
Atletico Madrid were involved in a cracking Champions League game in Glasgow on Wednesday night and overall it has been a pretty good start to the season. Antoine Griezmann scored a fine hat-trick to demolish Celta last weekend and with no game this coming midweek, we should expect a strong Atleti side to take to the field here. Alaves have competed well in their games and may go with loanee Samu Omorodion in attack here against his parent club.
Predicted Atletico Madrid Lineup: Oblak – Hermoso, Witsel, Savic – Riquelme, De Paul, Koke, Llorente, Molina – Griezmann, Morata (3-5-2)
Predicted Alaves Lineup: Sivera – Duarte, Abqar, Sedlar, Gorosabel – Blanco, Guevara – Rioja, Guridi, Sola – Omorodion (4-2-3-1)
Monday 30th October 2023
21:00 – Granada vs Villarreal
| Granada | Villarreal | |
| Win Probability | 33% | 40% |
This is a big game for two under pressure coaches. Defensive problems are hampering both and goals do look likely here. On the selection front, Villarreal are boosted by the return from suspension of Alex Baena but they are missing Yeremi Pino and have a doubt over Juan Foyth. Granada are hampered by suspensions for Lucas Boye and Gerard Gumbau though for a game that neither side can really afford to lose.
Predicted Granada Lineup: Ferreira – Neva, Miquel, Torrente, Ricard – Sergio Ruiz, Villar – Alvaro Fernandez, Melendo, Bryan Zaragoza – Uzuni (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Villarreal Lineup: Jorgensen – Cuenca, Mandi, Albiol – Pedraza, Capoue, Parejo, Femenia – Baena, Sorloth, Gerard Moreno (3-4-3)
LaLiga Matchday 11 Fantasy Football Picks
Sorare Cap Picks via @SorareLALIGA
Eric Garcia is perhaps the standout cap pick again this week with his L15 still below 40. The Barca loanee is assured of his place in high-flying Girona’s defence while the same can be said of Chadi Riad right now due to Betis’ injury woes.
Mallorca vs Getafe looks like a game that could very well end goalless and home advantage makes Predrag Rajkovic looks a good GK option this gameweek. Elsewhere, Leo Baptistao bagged a brace for Almeria last weekend and should lead the line against new boys Las Palmas.
There aren’t a host of amazing midfield cap picks in truth, but Guido Rodriguez looks a decent option for Betis.
Full Team Stack: Oblak (56) | Molina (53) | De Paul (55) | Griezmann (59) | Morata (54)
With El Clasico taking place, we turn to Atletico Madrid for our team stack. At home to newly promoted Alaves, they should be the dominant side and we can expect more fireworks from their forwards with both Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata in good form up front.
