Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, H2H and match preview for this Monday’s game in La Liga. Read on for analysis, betting tips and predicted line-ups as two sides who have recently made coaching switches meet.
DATE/TIME – Monday 7th January 2019, 21:00 (Spanish Time)
STADIUM – Balaidos
COMPETITION – La Liga
#CeltaAthletic
This Monday’s clash sees two sides meet who made bold coaching appointments in the summer only to dispense with their bosses a few months into this season. This game looked set to see Eduardo Berizzo return to Balaidos as Athletic boss but it will be Gaizka Garitano in charge of the Basque club. Miguel Cardoso is a month longer into his reign in Vigo having replaced Antonio Mohamed in November.
Cardoso has won two, lost two and drawn one so far in La Liga. It’s a decent return when you consider one of those defeats came at Camp Nou. They’ve been a fraction more conservative since the switch but it is still a squad that has a top heavy feel with their star players all attack-minded. An injury to goal machine Iago Apsas does limit their options here and should see Brais Mendez used in a wide right role.
As for Athletic, they are unbeaten in 4 competitive outings under Garitano. They’d not even conceded a goal until a bitter late blow against Valladolid in their last match. Oscar Plano’s last gasp leveller denied Athletic maximum points and they head into this game in the drop-zone and in the thick of the relegation battle. They have some tricky games coming up too with three straight matches against Sevilla in league and cup following this one.
Athletic have their own selection problems here with Yeray and Raul Garcia both suspended and it will be interesting to see how they line up in attack. Garitano may go with Inaki Williams rather than Aritz Aduriz playing through the middle and try to hit Celta on the break. Either way they will be hoping to build on some more solid defensive showings in recent weeks.
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions
Score Prediction: 1-1 Draw
Betting Tip: Draw at 3.30 with Betway
We should see a pretty even game here. Aspas is a big miss for Celta but they don’t lose many matches at home (just 2 home league defeats in 2018). However 50% of their league matches at Balaidos last term did finish all square and that’s far too high a ratio for them to seriously threaten the European positions. Up against La Liga’s current draw specialists, a point apiece seems a highly likely outcome here.
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao H2H
- Last 6 meetings: 4 Athletic Wins, 1 Celta Win, 1 Draw.
- Celta took 4 points off Athletic last season, having lost all of their previous 5 games against the Basques.
- Athletic do have a very good recent record on this ground, winning on 4 of their last 5 visits in league and cup.
- However their most recent visit in November 2017 ended in a 3-1 defeat.
One to Watch – Brais Mendez
Most assists in La Liga this season:
8 • ?? Lionel Messi
6 • ?? Pablo Sarabia
5 • ?? Antoine Griezmann
5 • ?? Jony
5 • ?? Brais Méndez (21)Brais is the only player with five or more assists whose club is outside the top five. pic.twitter.com/mUktZpvSEB
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) December 10, 2018
Brais Mendez has been one of the real breakthrough acts in La Liga this term. Aspas’ injury should see him be used in an attacking role and he is one of the players who is capable of having a big impact on the outcome of this one.
Keep tabs on all our La Liga betting tips.
Predicted Line Ups
Celta Vigo Team:
Blanco – Mallo, Araujo, Costas, Junca – Beltran, Yokuslu, Lobotka – Mendez, Gomez, Boufal (4-3-3)
Athletic Team:
Herrerin – Yuri, Martinez, Nunez, Capa – Garcia, Extebarria – Cordoba, Muniain, Susaeta – Williams (4-2-3-1)
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