Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Celta Vigo have been entertaining to watch throughout this campaign with Claudio Giraldez at the helm as his Galicians now welcome fellow northerners and fellow entertainers Athletic Club across to Balaidos for this one.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 19th January, 2025: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Celta Vigo Team News: Experienced absentees
Former Bolton Wanderers left-back Marcos Alonso is unavailable for this weekend due to suspension, whilst club captain Iago Aspas is missing due to a calf injury.
Fer Lopez, spurned by Norwich City and Sunderland in the summer, is an injury doubt, too, for Celta, alongside defensive duo Mihailo Ristic and Jailson.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vicente Guaita; Oscar Mingueza, Starfelt, Carlos Dominguez, Hugo Alvarez; Ilaix Moriba, Beltran; Bamba, Swedberg, Cervi; Borja Iglesias
Unavailable: Marcos Alonso (Suspended), Iago Aspas (Injured)
Questionable: Ristic (Injured), Fer Lopez (Injured), Jailson (Injured)
Athletic Bilbao Team News: A few key doubts
Athletic do have a strong and deep squad, despite the departure of defensive midfielder Ander Herrera to Argentine giants Boca Juniors this week, but they have key doubts through the spine.
Centre-back Yeray Alvarez is a key injury concern alongside midfielder Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta as well as essential attacking players Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Oscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche; Benat Prados, Mikel Jauregizar; Inaki Williams, Alvaro Djalo, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable:
Questionable: Yeray (Injured), Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Injured), Oihan Sancet (Injured), Nico Williams (Injured)
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction
In their 19 La Liga matches in the 2024/25 campaign, there have been 58 goals in Celta Vigo matches. They faced Real Madrid as recently as Thursday evening and suffered a 5-2 loss to the Spanish champions at the Bernabeu in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey to show their entertaining ways. Athletic Club were also involved in a high-scoring defeat as they lost 3-2 at home to Osasuna in the cup on Thursday, too. These are two of the more thrilling teams to watch in La Liga so both teams scoring in what should be a fun watch for the neutral seems a good bet for this one.
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Tip: Over 2.5 goals
