Prediction: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: 888sport
Many top leagues across Europe are back up and running as the 2020/21 campaign starts to gather some pace – and from Italy to England and beyond, there’s a whole lot to get excited about. Today, we’re going to be delving deep into one of the biggest fixtures of the week in Spanish football as Celta Vigo go head to head with Barcelona. One is attempting to prove they belong in the top half of the division, whereas the other wants to reclaim the crown that they lost last season.
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo narrowly, and we mean narrowly, avoided relegation in the 2019/20 campaign and they’ve started the new season as if they’re planning on being out of that discussion long before the final day. Sure, a dull 0-0 draw against Eibar didn’t exactly get the pulses racing, but they did manage to edge out an important 2-1 win over Valencia. With another draw under their belt against Real Valladolid, they’ll now surely believe that they could go on to make some waves – or drift into midtable territory.
Team News
The hosts are expected to go for a three at the back formation to take on Barcelona with Araujo predicted to come into the starting XI. Alvarez, Blanco and Junca are the injury absences.
Barcelona
The 3-1 win against Napoli in the Champions League allowed Barca fans to dream of a world where they could be European champions once again. Alas, that dream was soon shattered after they were battered 8-2 by eventual champions Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. They picked up a few friendly wins in September to ease them back in before dominating Villarreal 4-0 to start off the new season in style.
Team News
Fati is expected to start after his two-goal showing against Villarreal with Coutinho also expected to feature. Elsewhere, Umtiti is still a fitness doubt with the two confirmed injury outages being ter Stegen and Braithwaite. Aside from that, Koeman is not expected to make many changes given the success they enjoyed last weekend.
Factors to Consider
- In their last meeting back in June, Celta Vigo and Barcelona drew 2-2.
- Celta Vigo have won one, drawn three and lost two of their last six games.
- Barcelona have won five and lost one of their last six games.
- Celta Vigo have scored six goals and conceded seven in their last six games.
- Barcelona have scored 20 goals and conceded 11 in their last six games.
Conclusion
Celta will try and keep it as tight as they possibly can at the back but we’re not so sure that’s going to work against a rampant Barcelona side. They may not be the finished product Ronald Koeman wants them to be just yet but we do think they’re strong enough to overcome the hosts. We’re predicting a strong 3-1 win that sends a sharp reminder to the masses that they are still capable of challenging rivals Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title.
Prediction: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: 888sport
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