Real Betis vs Celta Vigo match preview and predictions for Wednesday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as two teams on the fringes of the European battle meet.
- DATE: Wednesday 20th January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 21:00 (local time)
- STADIUM: Benito Villamarin
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Real Betis vs Celta Vigo Preview
Real Betis and Celta Vigo clash in what could be one of the most watchable games across the midweek action in LaLiga. The two clubs are level on 23 points heading into the match and both teams will know that a good run of form could propel them into serious European contention. However by the same token, a poor run could send things quickly spiralling in the opposite direction in what is a very tight league.
It’s the home team which certainly takes more momentum into this match. Betis fans will be feeling much more positive about life after a strong showing in the Seville derby followed by three straight away wins. While two of those were in the Copa, one was a tough game at Segunda Division high-fliers Sporting Gijon while they claimed an important late win at Huesca in their last league game.
It has been a little bit hard to judge Manuel Pellegrini’s impact so far due to the overall inconsistency of this Betis team. However as we head into the new year, there are signs that they are at least a stronger outfit than last term but they could perhaps do with a bit of fresh blood in January if they are going to be serious European contenders.
As for Celta Vigo, their stunning start under Chacho Coudet has made way for a serious decline in standards with a 5-2 cup defeat at Ibiza and 4-0 home loss against Villarreal, their last two results. The dependence on talisman Iago Aspas has long been clear but his injury absence in those games doesn’t account for the defensive collapses we’ve seen.
It has been 12 days since Celta’s last match and that has at least given Coudet some time to work on a few things on the training ground, a rare luxury in such a congested campaign. However he has quite a lot to fix judging by those last two performances and while Nolito is fit again, Celta are still missing Aspas here.
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Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Betis Wins, 1 Celta Win, 2 Draws.
- Celta haven’t beaten Betis in either of the last two seasons.
- They are also winless on 5 visits to the Benito Villamarin, although have drawn 3 of those games.
- Both teams have scored in all of the last 6 meetings in Seville – a sequence which has included two 3-3 draws.
Team News
Paul Akouokou is banned for Betis while Guido Rodriguez and Marc Bartra are rated doubtful heading into this.
Iago Aspas is out for Celta but they are bolstered by the returns of Nolito and Renato Tapia which should make them more competitive this time out.
Predicted Betis Starting Lineup:
Joel – Miranda, Ruiz, Mandi, Emerson – Canales, Guido – Lainez, Fekir, Ruibal – Loren (4-2-3-1)
Predicted Celta Starting Lineup:
Blanco – Olaza, Murillo, Araujo, Mallo – Tapia – Nolito, Suarez, Beltran – Mina, Mendez (4-1-3-2)
Real Betis vs Celta Vigo Predictions
Score Prediction: Real Betis 2-1 Celta Vigo
Coaches come and go, but seemingly it would take a miracle worker to fix Celta Vigo’s problems when Iago Aspas doesn’t play. He has either scored or assisted a huge 68% of Celta’s league goals this term and Betis’ chances are aided considerably by his absence. With the hosts in pretty good form, we should see Los Verdiblancos claim three points here in what ought to be quite an open game.
Real Betis vs Celta Vigo Betting Tips (18+)
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