Mallorca vs Celta Vigo predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Celta travel to the Balearic Islands.
| Date | Friday 20th January 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | Visit Mallorca Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Mallorca vs Celta Vigo Preview
Matchday 18 in LaLiga 2022/23 kicks off in the Balearic Islands with a clash between Mallorca and Celta Vigo this Friday. The two teams are currently separated by five points and six positions with the hosts better off but a close game looks likely here.
Mallorca were in a great position heading into the World Cup and a decent run of fixtures, including this one, following the resumption offered them an opportunity to move even further clear of the relegation scrap. Games against Getafe, Real Valladolid and Osasuna have only yielded three points though with Javier Aguirre’s side looking a bit short on ideas at times in the final third.
The only league goal they’ve scored since the World Cup came from a Lee Kang-in cross with Abdon Prats netting a Stoppage Time winner against Real Valladolid. However the Korean international is suspended here which further limits their creativity. Palma has not been the place to go for entertainment this season with Mallorca’s home games averaging just 1.5 goals per game in total. 5 of their 8 home fixtures have ended with 1-0 scorelines and everything points to a tight game here too.
That’s largely because Celta Vigo have tightened up defensively under Carlos Carvalhal. His appointment was largely greeted as an underwhelming one following on from Chacho Coudet’s reign, but the Portuguese boss deserves real credit for the improvements he has made. The formation has switched to a 3-5-2 and their performance levels have really improved since the change.
They could easily have won all three games since the World Cup. They created much the better chances in their two home matches against Sevilla and Villarreal but had to settle for a point on each occasion. There was an important 1-0 win at bottom club Elche sandwiched in between those games though and Celta head into this one unbeaten in 4 league outings overall.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Mallorca
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Kang-in |
Possible XI: Rajkovic – Copete, Valjent, Raillo – Costa, Baba, Ruiz de Galarreta, Maffeo – Dani Rodriguez, Muriqi, Amath (3-4-3)
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Celta Vigo
| INJURED | |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Marchesin – Nunez, Aidoo, Mingueza – Galan, Cervi, Beltran, Veiga, Mallo – Aspas, Larsen (3-5-2)
Coach: Carlos Carvalhal
Score Prediction: Mallorca 0-0 Celta Vigo
Celta have made some positive steps forward under their new boss and they are playing with belief and some much needed solidity again. They haven’t always been clinical though and they might not get too many chances here with Mallorca strong at the back. A tight game looks likely and it could well end level.
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.
