The second round of fixtures in La Liga gets underway with an exciting clash between Celta Vigo and Valencia on August 23rd at Estadio de Balaídos.
Celta Vigo heads into this match with a positive start to the season, sitting at the top of the table after their opening win.
In contrast, Valencia is still searching for their first points after a disappointing loss in their season opener. This match promises to be an engaging contest as both teams aim to achieve their objectives early in the campaign.
Match Preview
Celta Vigo enjoyed a solid start to the season, securing a 2-1 victory against Alaves at home.
After trailing at halftime, the team demonstrated resilience by equalizing in the 66th minute and scoring a late winner in the 84th minute.
This victory not only puts Celta Vigo on three points but also extends their unbeaten run in La Liga to four matches, including three wins and a draw.
Their recent form has been impressive, with victories against notable opponents such as Athletic Bilbao and Granada, along with a 2-2 draw against Valencia last season.
Historically, Celta Vigo has proven to be a tough opponent at home, remaining unbeaten in their last seven La Liga matches at Estadio de Balaídos.
They have won five of those encounters, and the trend indicates that both teams have found the net in each of their last five home league matches, suggesting a high-scoring affair could be on the cards.
Valencia, however, comes into this match looking to turn around a disheartening start to their season after losing 2-1 to Barcelona at home.
Despite taking the lead just before halftime, they allowed Barcelona to equalize immediately and then conceded a penalty shortly after the break.
This defeat marks Valencia’s eighth consecutive match without a win in La Liga, with their last victory dating back to last season.
Their recent struggles have included losses to Real Betis, Alaves, Girona, and Barcelona, as well as draws against Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo.
Head to Head
Historically, Valencia has had the upper hand against Celta Vigo, but recent encounters have been more balanced.
In the last five meetings, Valencia has won twice, Celta has one victory, and there have been two draws.
Notably, Celta Vigo has gone unbeaten in their last three matches against Valencia, indicating a potential shift in momentum.
The previous encounter ended in a 2-2 draw, showcasing the competitiveness between the two sides.
Team News
In terms of team news, Celta Vigo will be without Vicente Guaita, Mihailo Ristic, and De La Torre due to injuries. Their absence will be felt, but the team is expected to field a strong lineup to continue their positive start.
Valencia, on the other hand, faces several injury concerns, missing key players such as José Gayà, Jaume Doménech, Sergi Canos, Fran Pérez, and Mouctar Diakhaby. Their absence could significantly impact Valencia’s performance as they look to break their winless streak.
Prediction
Considering Celta Vigo’s strong home form and Valencia’s recent struggles, we predict a victory for Celta Vigo in this matchup. With both teams having the capability to score, a high-scoring game is likely.
- Score Prediction: Celta Vigo 2-1 Valencia
Betting Tips
Celta Vigo to Win: Betting on a Celta Vigo victory is a solid choice given their excellent home form and Valencia’s poor start to the season.
Over 2.5 Goals: Given both teams’ attacking capabilities, wagering on over 2.5 goals in the match is a favorable option.
Both Teams to Score – Yes: With Valencia’s ability to find the net and Celta’s strong home attacking record, placing a bet on both teams scoring could yield positive returns.
Celta Vigo to Win and Both Teams to Score: This bet combines Celta’s expected victory with the likelihood of Valencia scoring, offering a potentially lucrative outcome.
