Celta Vigo vs Alaves match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts aim to continue their recent revival.
- DATE: Sunday 20th December 2020
- KICK-OFF: 14:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Balaidos
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Celta Vigo vs Alaves Preview
Celta Vigo take on Alaves in LaLiga at Balaidos this Sunday. Both sides have responded well to poor starts to the season, particularly Celta Vigo who have really found some form under new management. They’ll fancy they can keep their good run going with three more points here.
Since appointing Chacho Coudet, Celta have transformed into an exciting, attacking team that is delivering both performances and results. His first game ended in a 4-2 defeat at Sevilla but it’s four straight wins for the Galicians since then. This week, they’ve beaten Cadiz 4-0 in LaLiga with all the goals coming in the 1st Half before demolishing minnows Llanera 5-0 in the Copa del Rey.
Essentially what Coudet has done is simply pick all of their most talented attacking players. Nolito, Denis Suarez, Brais Mendez, Iago Aspas and Santi Mina all started the win against Cadiz on Monday. On paper, it is a very bold, attacking selection with Renato Tapia the solitary holding midfielder protecting the back four.
Alaves are in decent form themselves and had gone 6 games unbeaten in LaLiga before falling to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at previously winless Huesca last time out. Prior to that they’d been travelling pretty well this season and they still average more points on the road than they’ve managed in Vitoria, including a famous win away to Real Madrid.
This particular fixture will bring back bad memories for the Alaves players though. They were hammered 6-0 here in June in a rare game where Celta did find their shooting boots under Oscar Garcia. Their defence is likely to be busy again here with the likes of Nolito and Iago Aspas in good form in front of goal.
Read all our weekend LaLiga previews here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 2 Celta Wins, 3 Alaves Wins, 1 Draw.
- Celta have won 4 of the last 6 meetings in Vigo.
- They were 6-0 winners in this fixture last term but Alaves did win 1-0 here in 2018.
- The Basques had won 3 of the previous 4 meetings prior to that six goal hammering.
Team News
Santi Mina’s injury will force a change with Nolito likely to shift up to partner Iago Aspas in attack for Celta. Jeison Murillo is back from a ban.
Alaves can welcome Rodrigo Battaglia back from suspension. Víctor Laguardia is injured while Pere Pons is a doubt.
Predicted Celta Starting Lineup:
Blanco – Olaza, Murillo, Araujo, Mallo – Tapia – Beltran, Suarez, Mendez – Aspas, Nolito (4-1-3-2)
Predicted Alaves Starting Lineup:
Pacheco – Duarte, Lejeune, Ely, Navarro – Rioja, Battaglia, Pina, Jota – Joselu, Perez (4-4-2)
Celta Vigo vs Alaves Predictions
Score Prediction: Celta 3-1 Alaves
Celta look like a totally refreshed team under Coudet and they are certainly one that believes in themselves again. It’s been a while since we’ve seen this Celta side deliver on its potential in front of goal and that 6-0 win in this fixture last term was very much the exception not the norm. They may not get 6 this time, but they just look like a team with plenty of goals in them all of a sudden and ought to be too hot for Alaves again.
LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)
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