Celta Vigo vs Valencia predictions and match preview for Sunday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for expert analysis, the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Los Che travel to Balaidos.
| Date | Sunday 5th December 2021 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Balaidos |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Celta Vigo vs Valencia Preview
Celta Vigo and Valencia face off in the final game on Sunday in LaLiga. The visitors are currently 3 points better off in the table but with home advantage, Celta may fancy their chances of recording a victory.
They haven’t been doing too much of that this season but they do come into this game unbeaten in 4 league games. They won 2-1 at Alaves last time out with goals from strike duo Iago Aspas and Santi Mina. The latter was on target in a 5-0 victory at Ebro in the Copa del Rey in midweek too and that’s a competition the Galicians may look to target in what looks like it may be a mid-table campaign in LaLiga.
The big problem for Celta so far has been their home form. The return of fans has not helped Balaidos become any kind of fortress. They’ve won one and lost five in front of their own supporters in LaLiga. Only Cadiz have picked up less home points than the Galician side and that should offer plenty of encouragement to the visitors here.
Valencia travel having also avoided defeat in their last four league games, with an identical record of three draws and one victory during that period. They’ve had some tricky fixtures too so it’s a decent return although they might have been slightly disappointed at their failure to beat Rayo Vallecano at home last weekend.
We’ve also had plenty of evidence that Valencia now really do resemble a Bordalas side with some physical displays, particularly in their recent 0-0 draw at Real Sociedad. They average 16.1 fouls per game which is the most in the Spanish top flight and they might look at this Celta side as one they can intimidate physically. We can expect the hosts to have much of the ball and Valencia will probably try to hit them on the break when possible.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Valencia Wins, 2 Celta Vigo Wins, 1 Draw.
- Both meetings last term ended in home wins.
- Celta have won 4 of the last 6 clashes at Balaidos.
- Valencia’s only recent win here was a 2-1 success in 2019.
Team News
Thiago Galhardo is the only real doubt for Celta who should be able to name their strongest XI.
Valencia are expected to be missing Gabriel Paulista and Thierry Correia to injury which is a big worry at the back given they are also missing fellow defenders Mouctar Diakhaby and Dimitri Foulquier to suspension.
Possible Lineups
Celta Vigo vs Valencia Predictions
Score Prediction: Celta 2-1 Valencia
With both sides having drawn 3 of their last 4, there’s plenty of reason to fancy this one to end up all square too. However Valencia’s defensive selection issues may just tilt it in favour of the hosts, particularly with Celta talisman Iago Aspas showing signs of getting back towards his best.
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Mark Sochon is an experienced football writer and editor of LaLiga Expert. Based in Madrid, he has covered La Liga and Spanish football for many years. He also covers Spanish and European football for Goal and Betfred, while his work has previously been published by the Guardian and World Soccer.