Celta Vigo vs Malaga Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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It has been another frustrating start to the season for Celta Vigo as the Galicians now welcome still winless newly-promoted Malaga to Balaidos on Sunday.
Kick-off date/time:
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: Frustrated Celta
Claudio Giraldez has led Celta Vigo to back-to-back UEFA Europa League qualifications and they did so last year by drawing their opening six matches in La Liga – and they have now drawn three of their opening four matches this time around.
Their most recent draw saw them go behind against Getafe at the Coliseum via a first half Martin Satriano strike last week before Carl Starfelt equalised for Celta mid-way through the second half with Celta then unable to punish ten-man Getafe in the latter stages.
Malaga preview: Still winless
Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Malaga have been entertaining to watch under the management of former B team coach Juan Francisco Funes and a squad made up of local lads and boyhood Malaga supporters.
They have lost two both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in the capital city away from home, while being held to a 1-1 draw against fellow newly-promoted outfit Deportivo La Coruna and a goalless draw with likely fellow relegation battlers Levante last week.
Celta Vigo team news: Midfield doubts
Summer signings in the middle of the park Stefan Bajcetic and Aleix Febas are both working their way back to full fitness ahead of the visit of Malaga this weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Radu; Yoel Lago, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; El-Abdellaoui, Ilaix Moriba, Miguel Roman, Javi Galan; Iago Aspas, Pablo Duran, Hugo Gonzalez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Stefan Bajcetic (Injured), Aleix Febas (Injured)
Malaga team news: Julen Lobete now out
Malaga have a fresh injury issue as Julen Lobete is now sidelined alongside Republic of Ireland youth international forward Aaron Ochoa, who began this season missing through suspension as well.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Alfonso Herrero; Rafita, Angel Recio, Einar Galilea, Jose Salinas; David Larrubia, Dani Lorenzo, Pablo Martinez, Juan Cruz; Carlos Dotor, Chupete
Unavailable: Aaron Ochoa (Injured), Julen Lobete (Injured)
Questionable: Diego Murillo (Injured), Diarra (Injured), Fernando Calero (Injured), Adrian Nino (Injured)
Celta Vigo vs Malaga prediction
Celta Vigo have lacked fluency in the final third, which is not the case from last season even when they were drawing too often but unfortunate to do so – whereas this time around they have perhaps been fortunate to escape with one defeat from four games. Malaga, on the other hand, missing a penalty against Levante last week, will feel hard done by yet to win given the quality of their performances and it could well therefore be a decent value bet to side with the Andalusians this weekend.
Celta Vigo vs Malaga tip: Double chance – Malaga to win or draw
