Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo match preview and predictions for Friday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the Basques target a fourth straight home victory.
- DATE: Friday 4th December 2020
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- VENUE: San Mames
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo Preview
The Friday night game in LaLiga comes from San Mames and it could be well worth a watch. Athletic have found some home form in recent weeks and scored four on their last outing in Bilbao. They take on a Celta side that has looked more positive since changing coach and victory in the Basque Country would be a clear sign that things might be turning for the Galicians under Eduardo Coudet.
Victory for Athletic here could see them climb as high as 5th place which would be serious backing to Gaizka Garitano’s stance that there is no reason why his job should be under any threat. Certainly when you consider the position they were in when he did take over around two years ago, Athletic have made plenty of strides forward under his leadership but even without fans, they remain heavily reliant on their home form.
They are bidding for a 4th straight win at San Mames here following victories over Levante, Sevilla and Real Betis in recent weeks. They won those fixtures by an aggregate score of 8-1. The introduction of a more natural number nine in the shape of Asier Villalibre has had a positive impact and while the 23 year old may have his limitations, he could have a big role to play this season and he was on target in a 1-1 draw at Getafe last weekend.
As for Celta, followers of the Galician club finally had something to cheer last time out. In their second game under new boss Eduardo Coudet, they came from behind to beat Granada 3-1 at Balaidos. That’s 5 goals in 2 matches under the new coach for Celta who had only scored 6 in 9 fixtures under previous boss Oscar Garcia prior to that this season.
Garcia may claim that the tide was always going to turn and if you believe the xG data, he may have a point. Celta have created 18.85 xG this season (according to understat), the fourth most in LaLiga after Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Barcelona. They are 5th in terms of xPTS but remain in the relegation zone in the actual table heading into this fixture. Victory would though move them level on points with their opponents who are currently 9th such is the congested nature of this league right now.
Check out our match previews for every game in LaLiga this weekend here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Athletic Wins, 2 Celta Wins, 2 Draws.
- The sides drew 1-1 here last season with Celta winning 1-0 in the meeting in Vigo.
- Celta have only won on 1 of their last 10 trips to San Mames in all competitions.
- That was a Copa del Rey game in 2015 which they won 2-0.
Team News
Íñigo Martínez is Athletic’s main absentee due to suspension. Unai Nunez and Yeray ought to be the centre-backs here as a result.
Celta are expected to name the same XI that beat Granada. Okay Yokuslu is suspended after coming off the bench to see red in that match.
Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:
Simon – Yuri, Nunez, Yeray, Capa – Vesga, Vencedor – Berenguer, Muniain, Williams – Villalibre (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Celta Vigo Starting Lineup:
Blanco – Olaza, Murillo, Araujo, Mallo – Nolito, Tapia, Suarez, Mendez – Aspas, Mina (4-4-2)
Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo Predictions
Score Prediction: Athletic 2-1 Celta
Celta’s improved recent displays and the increased number of goals that both teams have been scoring in recent weeks, suddenly makes this quite an interesting fixture. Celta have a touch more in terms of creativity but they are still a work in progress and it’s difficult to go against Athletic at San Mames right now, certainly against bottom half opposition.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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