Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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These two sides both played out European ties in midweek as they now prepare to clash in the north west of Spain as Celta Vigo face Athletic Club at Balaidos in Galicia.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – 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 / US – ESPN+
Celta Vigo preview: Silky Celta
After a difficult start to the campaign, Celta Vigo have turned things around and that continued in spectacular fashion last week as they defeated Real Madrid by two goals to nil at the Bernabeu with a brace of goals from Williot Swedberg.
Since then, though, their dodgy home form has continued once again as they suffered a frustrating 2-1 loss at home to Bologna in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League in a game in which they had the lead until mid-way through the second-half.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Tough in midweek
It has been a tough campaign for Athletic this season but they got themselves a morale boosting result with a reasonable performance in the UEFA Champions League as they shared a goalless draw with last season’s treble winners Paris Saint-Germain.
The Basque giants begin the weekend sitting outside of the top six due to some inconsistent form throughout this season but they did manage to edge past Atletico Madrid by a goal to nil at San Mames last weekend.
Celta Vigo team news: Carlos Dominguez out
Having sustained an injury against Bologna, defender Carlos Dominguez is now sidelined for the hosts, while both Joseph Aidoo and Pablo Duran are also sidelined.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Radu; Javi Rodriguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Sergio Carreira, Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba, Oscar Mingueza; Iago Aspas, Borja Iglesias, Bryan Zaragoza
Unavailable: Aidoo (Injured), Carlos Dominguez (Injured), Pablo Duran (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: A few injuries
As they make the trip west, Athletic have a fresh injury issue in defence as Aymeric Laporte is now sidelined alongside the likes of both Benat Prados and Maroan Sannadi.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Jesus Areso, Aitor Paredes, Dani Vivian, Yuri Berchiche; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Gorka Guruzeta
Unavailable: Laporte (Injured), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Yeray (Disciplinary), Benat Prados (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable:
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
Celta Vigo will be expecting to turn their home form around soon enough. There is an argument that their slick, counter-attacking football is more suited to playing away from home with more space. Athletic are unlikely to give Celta too much of that aforementioned space and so siding with the visitors, who have slightly improved of late, would appear a good bet for this one.
Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Double chance – Athletic Club to win or draw
