Celta Vigo vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Celta Vigo have endured a difficult start to the campaign as the Galicians now welcome an entertaining Deportivo Alaves side to Balaidos on Sunday.

Kick-off date/time: 18 October 2026 at 3:15 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels

How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+

Celta Vigo preview: Beaten in midweek

Claudio Giraldez and his Celta Vigo side come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Juventus in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League the other day, having taken the lead before a second half turnaround from The Old Lady.

The Galicians have been frustrated with just one victory in their ten matches across all competitions with five draws in eight games in La Liga, with their form again undermined by too many draws as was the case last season.

Alaves preview: Entertaining Alaves

Quique Sanchez Flores led Deportivo Alaves to safety with an entertaining style of football and the Basque outfit have continued that fun style into this season with their eight La Liga games having consisted of 20 goals.

They have hit a rough patch of form either side of the international break as they head into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Mendizorroza in Vitoria-Gasleiz last week.

Celta Vigo team news: Fresh injuries

Celta have some fresh injury concerns for this one as versatile attacker Pablo Duran is now potentially sidelined alongside FIFA World Cup 2026 winner Borja Iglesias.

Predicted XI (3-4-3): Radu; Alvaro Nunez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Sergio Carreira, Aleix Febas, Ilaix Moriba, Javi Galan; Swedberg, Iago Aspas, Driouech

Unavailable: Starfelt (Injured), Miguel Roman (Injured), El-Abdellaoui (Injured)

Questionable: Pablo Duran (Injured), Borja Iglesias (Injured)

Alaves team news: Angel Perez suspended

In the balance against Atletico, Angel Perez’ red card changed the game and he is now missing through suspension with Facundo Garces and Mikel Rodriguez remaining sidelined, too.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Antonio Sivera; Koski, Valentini, Jonny; Tenaglia, Denis Suarez, Antonio Blanco, Pablo Ibanez, Rebbach; Toni Martinez, Lucas Boye

Unavailable: Garces (Injured), Angel Perez (Suspended), Mikel Rodriguez (Injured)

Questionable: 

Celta Vigo vs Alaves prediction

Celta Vigo play a good style of football but they haven’t been as efficient in the final third as they would have liked last year. The hosts started with a similar sort of run with too many draws. Alaves will themselves be confident of both getting at Celta but perhaps also being able to contain them and so siding with the Basque side may well be decent value here after Celta’s midweek European excursions.

Celta Vigo vs Alaves tip: Double chance – Alaves to win or draw