Celta Vigo vs Alaves Predictions, H2H and Match Preview

Celta Vigo vs Alaves predictions, H2H and match preview for this Friday’s game in La Liga as the visitors seek the win that would see them go top of the table. Read on for analysis and predicted line-ups ahead of this clash in Galicia!

DATE/TIME –  Friday 19th October 2018, 21:00 (Spanish Time)

STADIUM – Balaidos

COMPETITION – La Liga

This match presents Alaves with a rare opportunity to climb to the very summit of La Liga. With the other sides in the tightly contested top six not playing until Saturday, they could spend one night in top spot but they would need to win this match for that to happen. That will be easier said than done against a Celta Vigo side that is yet to lose at home in La Liga in 2018.

That sounds like a fantastic record but the reality is their inability to convert one point into three in front of their own supporters is a growing source of frustration. They’ve conceded late in their last two home outings to squander winning positions against Real Valladolid and Getafe, two sides they’d have fancied they could get the better of at Balaidos. This is another game that falls into that category but with 6 of their last 8 home games finishing level and Alaves going well, a repeat would be of no surprise to anybody.

Alaves are over-achieving in truth and it will be difficult for them to maintain this current position as the season progresses deeper into the winter months. However they were pretty good value for their 1-0 win over Real Madrid last time out and they have already won twice on the road this term. That will please Abelardo particularly as they’d gained a bit of a reputation for being a team that was strong at home but at times a soft touch on the road.

They will cross Northern Spain here fully aware of the prize that is on offer to them. They will do so without injured keeper Fernando Pacheco though and it’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out. Celta’s bright start under Antonio Mohamed has faded with the Galicians without a win in 5 matches heading into this but they do remain the clear favourites to grab all the points.

Celta Vigo vs Alaves Predictions

Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw

This is another strong candidate for a Balaidos draw. You sense it is becoming a bit of a mental issue for Celta now with over 50% of their home league games in 2018 finishing level. That’s curious given they aren’t exactly a cautious side by any means and they do score goals and target wins but they seem to have forgotten how to see games out. An injury to striker Maxi Gomez is a major blow for them heading into this one and overall a 1-1 draw looks a plausible outcome with Alaves not doing quite enough to suggest they are capable of winning a tough away fixture such as this.

Celta Vigo vs Alaves H2H

• Last 6 meetings: 3 Alaves Wins, 2 Celta Wins, 1 Draw
• The games last season both produced home wins by one goal.
• Indeed all of the last four matches between these clubs have been won by the team playing at home.
• Alaves’ last win at Balaidos came in June 2008 in the Segunda Division.

One to Watch – Jony

Jony lidera un importante apartado estadístico en el @Alaves ??⚽️??https://t.co/lSHqL0TdWJ pic.twitter.com/BE2qIDnU3d

— Edición Bizkaia MD (@Bizkaia_MD) October 13, 2018

Ibai Gomez and Jony have both been key factors in Alaves’ success this term. The wingers will be a threat again here and Jony is worth keeping an eye on down the left. With 4 assists, he has created as many goals in La Liga this term as Leo Messi and more than any other player in the division.

Keep tabs on all our La Liga predictions this weekend.

Predicted Line Ups

Celta Vigo Team:

Alvarez – Mallo, Cabral, Roncaglia, Junca – Beltran, Lobotka – Aspas, Boufal, Sisto – Eckert (4-2-3-1)

Alaves Team:

Sivera – Duarte, Laguardia, Navarro, Aguirregabiria – Jony, Wakaso, Pina, Gomez – Calleri, Sobrino (4-4-2)

Featured image by juantiagues, CC BY-SA 2.0