Celta Vigo vs Espanyol predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the visitors start life under Diego Martinez.
| Date | Saturday 13th August 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 17:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Balaidos |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Celta Vigo vs Espanyol Preview
The new 2022/23 LaLiga season starts this weekend and it feels like it has been a very long wait. Celta Vigo kick off their season at the Estadio Balaídos facing Espanyol in what should be an interesting game.
Celta’s ultimate objective this season would be to try and get themselves up into the European places. It has been Head Coach Eduardo Coudet’s goal since he took over in 2020. They had a decent season last year finishing 11th but they failed to better their 8th position from the season before.
Los Celestes have been busy in the transfer window bringing in former La Masia graduate Óscar Mingueza to strengthen their defence. The Catalan can play both centre and right back. Also coming in to strengthen the defence is Unai Núñez who has arrived on loan from Athletic Bilbao. Veteran goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín has also arrived in Galicia as fellow Argentinian Matías Dituro has moved back to Universidad Catolica. Winger Carles Pérez has arrived on loan from Roma and Portuguese striker Gonçalo Paciência has arrived on a permanent deal to help boost the attack.
Probably the biggest signing Celta have made is renewing their captain and leading goal scorer Iago Aspas who has signed for another three seasons with his boyhood club. A win here would be a great start to the campaign and would make a statement that they are ready to attack those European places.
There has been a big shake up at Espanyol with new Head Coach Diego Martínez coming in and he is bringing in a style of football that is admired in Spain. Many players have left, with the likes of Wu Lei, Diego Lopez and captain David Lopez having moved on amongst others and with many new faces arriving it feels a bit like a team starting from scratch.
First to come in was left back Brian Oliván while striker Joselu signed on a free transfer after leaving relegated Alavés. Coming in on loan is Brazilian midfielder Vinícius Souza and also on loan is French goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte. Former Eibar midfielder Edu Expósito has also joined the club signing a five year deal. One thing that will be worrying Los Periquitos is that Aston Villa are chasing star striker Raúl de Tomás and losing a player of his quality in the opening week of the season would not be ideal.
Team News
Celta
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Espanyol
| INJURED | De Tomas, Puado, Pedrosa |
| DOUBTFUL | Embarba, Lozano, Gori |
| BANNED |
Possible Lineups
Celta: Marchesin – Galan, Nunez, Aidoo, Mallo – Beltran – Cervi, Swedberg, Oscar, Solari – Aspas (4-1-4-1)
Espanyol: Lecomte – Olivan, Cabrera, Gomez, Gil – Bare, Souza – Melamed, Darder, Sanchez – Joselu (4-2-3-1)
Score Prediction: Celta 2-1 Espanyol
In what will be a tight affair like these games usually are, it will be a touch of brilliance that could just make the difference. Celta have a decent home record against Espanyol and it is hard to see that record being harmed in this one.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips. No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on football during the 2022/23 season. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
