Celta Vigo vs Villarreal match preview and predictions for Friday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts look to respond to a woeful cup defeat in midweek.
- DATE: Friday 8th January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: Balaidos
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Celta Vigo vs Villarreal Preview
Friday and Monday games in LaLiga rarely throw up such mouth-watering fixtures as this one. Celta Vigo had been flying under new boss Chacho Coudet but are looking to bounce back from a humiliating cup defeat here against a strong Villarreal side that are eyeing up a top four push this season.
Celta fans were starting to get excited by talk of a possible European challenge themselves with their side winning 5 of their last 7 games in LaLiga. They’ve been scoring lots of goals and finally delivering on the potential that has existed in this squad throughout the year-long reign of Oscar Garcia which ended earlier this season.
However the new boss now has some serious headaches going into this game after what has been a pretty disastrous week all-round. More damaging than the defeat to Real Madrid last weekend, were injuries to Nolito and Iago Aspas, who between them have accounted for well over half of Celta’s league goals this term. Both look set to be out until February and the unreliable nature of Celta’s back-up players was further highlighted in a shocking 5-2 Copa del Rey defeat against Segunda B outfit UD Ibiza on Tuesday.
Villarreal would have been fearing this fixture a fortnight ago with Celta in stunning form, but it looks considerably more winnable from the visiting team’s perspective now. Unai Emery’s team have had a much better week, seeing off Levante 2-1 in LaLiga before a 4-1 Copa del Rey win at Zamora.
They’ve also been the first Spanish top flight side to make a significant move in the transfer window with Étienne Capoue coming in to offer another option in midfield following injuries to Vicente Iborra and Francis Coquelin. Another major boost for Emery has been the form of 18 year old winger Yeremi Pino. He was on target again in the Copa del Rey and has nudged ahead of the likes of Take Kubo in the pecking order at the Ceramica.
Read all our LaLiga match previews here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Villarreal Wins, 3 Celta Wins.
- Both meetings last term ended in away wins.
- Villarreal won 1-0 here on the return from lockdown in June.
- Celta had won all of the previous 3 meetings, scoring 3 goals in all of those games.
Team News
Nolito and Iago Aspas both got injured last week in Madrid and are set to be out until February. Holding midfielder Renato Tapia is suspended.
Paco Alcácer and Francis Coquelin are nearing fitness again but this game may come too soon for the Villarreal duo. Étienne Capoue should make his league debut for the club.
Predicted Celta Starting Lineup:
Blanco – Olaza, Murillo, Araujo, Mallo – Okay – Baeza, Suarez, Mendez – Mina, Mor (4-1-3-2)
Predicted Villarreal Starting Lineup:
Asenjo – Pedraza, Torres, Albiol, Pena – Trigueros, Capoue, Parejo – Gomez, Nino, Gerard (4-3-3)
Celta Vigo vs Villarreal Predictions
Score Prediction: Celta 1-2 Villarreal
Without Iago Aspas, Celta Vigo simply aren’t the same team and they are also missing Nolito and Renato Tapia here, both of whom have played key roles in their recent resurgence. As a result, Villarreal look strong enough to claim the victory with the addition of Capoue ensuring they have a bit of extra solidity in midfield which should give their more creative players a base from which to shine.
Celta Vigo vs Villarreal Betting Tips (18+)
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