Celta Vigo vs Sevilla predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two struggling teams clash.
| Date | Friday 30th December 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 19:15 (local time) |
| Stadium | Balaidos |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Celta Vigo vs Sevilla Preview
Celta Vigo and Sevilla meet at Balaidos this week with both sides hoping for better things on the return to Spanish domestic action. Both sacked coaches during the first chunk of the season with Carlos Carvalhal taking over in Vigo while Jorge Sampaoli is back in Seville.
Both teams are in the bottom four as it stands, so this is a really important game to have first up and victory will be a major boost for whoever gets it. It wasn’t exactly a dream start for Carvalhal with a 2-1 defeat at home to Osasuna followed by a goalless draw in Vallecas. It’s just 2 points from 7 games overall for Celta but they have won a couple of games in the Copa del Rey to help get the Carvalhal era underway.
The Portuguese coach has immediately changed the system with a back three now in favour. That gives Javi Galán a bit more freedom to roam down the left flank but inevitably it still feels like they are going to be reliant on Iago Aspas for much of their attacking inspiration. Celta will be hoping for more from €11m summer signing Jörgen Strand Larsen alongside him with the Norwegian yet to score in 10 league appearances for the Galicians.
Sevilla just need more from almost everyone in their squad after a seriously underwhelming start to the campaign. Jorge Sampaoli would have been looking forward to the break you’d imagine as he does have a fairly distinctive idea of how football should be played. However with 10 players involved in World Cup squads, including 5 for countries who reached the last four, preparations for this game have been far from ideal.
Indeed it was a Sevilla player whose penalty won the World Cup for Argentina to spark wild celebrations with Gonzalo Montiel, as well as Marcos Acuña and Papu Gomez, involved for the South Americans. Montiel is actually one of three players suspended for Sevilla in this game which only adds to their problems and they also have six men out injured so this resumption may not immediately prove to be the fresh start that Sampaoli would have been planning when he took the job.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Celta Vigo
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Marchesin – Nunez, Aidoo, Mingueza – Galan, Cervi, Tapia, Veiga, Mallo – Aspas, Larsen (3-5-2)
Coach: Carlos Carvalhal
Sevilla
| INJURED | Telles, Rekik, Tecatito, Delaney, Marcao, Papu Gomez |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Montiel, Rakitic, Nianzou |
Possible XI: Bono – Acuna, Salas, Gudelj, Navas – Jordan, Fernando, Oliver – Suso, Mir, Lamela (4-3-3)
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Score Prediction: Celta Vigo 2-0 Sevilla
Sevilla’s many selection problems suggest that Celta will be the better prepared side for this game and it’s a real opportunity for Carlos Carvalhal to record his first league victory. They only had two players at the World Cup so there should be a clear idea now of what the new boss wants from this team and Celta may just respond with an important three points to add to Sevilla’s woes.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
