Prediction: Celta Vigo vs Valencia

Verdict: Celta Vigo win

Best odds: 1.87

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Celta Vigo take on Valencia in the last game of the 2023/2024 campaign looking to achieve another milestone this year. After a close escape from relegation, local supporters are set to pack Estadio de Balaidos on Sunday afternoon to express appreciation for their team.

Celta Vigo

Despite being marked as an appointment that will lead Celta Vigo to its former glory, Rafa Benitez failed to meet the expectations. A disastrous start with a single win in opening 16 La Liga rounds was a strong signal that Celta will have to carry out another difficult relegation battle.

The opportunity to play at Estadio de Balaidos against accessible opponents did not help the hosts, who defeated Granada 1-0 in mid-December to record their first seasonal La Liga home victory. The ship was further sunk near the shores of Vigo by a packed schedule that included challenging matches against elite teams like Girona, Barcelona, Betis, and Real Sociedad.

The fans were so angry at seeing their favourites being destroyed every week that Rafa Benitez’s chair began to wobble. The last drop that filled the cup happened at Santiago Bernabeu, where Real Madrid delivered the decisive blow to their former boss who was axed following a 4-0 defeat.

However, the decision to appoint the rookie Claudio Giraldez proved to be a successful gamble with the young manager having an instant impact on his team by producing a shock win at Sevilla. Due to this sudden revival, Celta fans started to believe in salvation by the end of the season. Despite having a difficult schedule in the last quarter of their campaign, Celta Vigo pulled some impressive results and reached safety by winning 3 of their last 4 games against difficult opponents like Villareal, Athletic Bilbao and Granada.

Team News

Because of Claudio Giraldez’s intense input on his team, four players are out with injuries for the Valencia clash. Long-term absentee Joseph Aidoo is expected to return in October after sustaining an Achilles tendon surgery. Furthermore, Carlos Perez, Franco Cervi and Mihailo Ristis suffered minor knocks that will keep them out in the last game. 

Valencia

After escaping narrowly the drop last season, Valencia had a much better output this time around. Remaining in charge after saving the team from relegation, the former Valencia legend Ruben Baraja set the bar higher this term. Although Valencia was in contention to qualify for European competitions, the inexplicable drop in the last games took the visitors out of the race.

The Bats’ start and finish of the season was like a mirror reflecting the opposite. Taking La Liga by storm by defeating Sevilla and Las Palmas, the visitors are ending their campaign on a negative note after losing to Real Sociedad and Girona in the previous rounds. After impressing at the start of the new year by defeating top teams like Villareal and Athletic Bilbao, Betis ended Valencia’s impressive run of dropping a single game from seven played.

The Betis loss was seen as a serious setback by Rubens Baraja’s team, who couldn’t bounce back in the subsequent games and fell lower in the standings. Valencia’s supporters, who watched their team finish the season with just one point from their final six games, will be even more disappointed.

Besides, the visitors can seek revenge for their Copa del Rey elimination game loss to Celta Vigo at the beginning of the year. Furthermore, the team led by Rubens Baraja loves to play at Estadio de Balaido, where they have defeated Celta in their last two meetings.

Team News

The busy schedule coupled with the intensity required in La Liga games led to four players being injured in May. Although Mouctar Diakaby, Jesus Vazquez, Jaume Domenech and Jose Gaya will not play against Celta Vigo, they are expected to make a full recovery during the off-season.

Key factors to consider

• Celta Vigo managed to avoid relegation after an impressive run of results under the newly appointed manager, Claudio Giraldez
• The hosts won 4 of their last 6 games played in La Liga
• Valencia’s end-of-the-season bad spell took the team from the European Cup qualification battle
• The visitors lost 5 of their last 6 games played in the Spanish top-flight

Conclusion

With Celta Vigo playing so well under Claudio Giraldez, another solid performance from his team against Valencia at Estadio de Balaidos is anticipated. In addition, the hosts can capitalise on their opponents’ recent collapse and win their final game in front of their supporters.

Verdict: Celta Vigo win

Best odds: 1.87

Bookmaker: ZetBet