Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Celta Vigo have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Europe so far this season as they now welcome fellow northerners Real Sociedad across to Galicia this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 21st December, 2024: UK – 3:15pm / US ET – 10:15am / US PT – 7:15am
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 Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Celta Vigo Preview: Silky Celta
Following the appointment of Claudio Giraldez in March, replacing former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez, Celta Vigo have been very entertaining to watch and much-improved in terms of results, too, with their 17 games in La Liga consisting of 53 goals so far this season.
The Galicians come into this one on the back of a frustrating defeat to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Andalusia last weekend on an emotional occasion in Jesus Navas’ last home game for Sevilla with a second-half winner scored by youngster Manu Bueno.
Real Sociedad Preview: The real La Real
Imanol Aguacil had come under pressure in charge of Real Sociedad after their slow start to the campaign but, with one of the most intense pressing styles in European football, they have been much-improved as the season has gone on; in contrast to recent previous campaigns.
La Real were most recently held to a frustrating goalless draw with Las Palmas at the Reale Arena in the Basque Country last weekend. They have, though, now suffered just three defeats in their last 15 matches across all competitions.
Celta Vigo Team News: A few doubts
Former Newcastle United and Liverpool defender Javi Manquillo remains unavailable due to an ankle injury for this weekend. They also have a few key injury doubts for this one such as Mihailo Ristic, Sergio Carreira, Jailson and Damian Rodriguez.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Vicente Guaita; Javi Rodriguez, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso; Oscar Mingueza, Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba, Hugo Alvarez; Iago Aspas, Bamba, Swedberg
Unavailable: Javi Manquillo (Injured)
Questionable: Sergio Carreira (Injured), Ristic (Injured), Jailson (Injured), Damian Rodriguez (Injured)
Real Sociedad Team News: No Traore
Former Stade Rennais defender Ham Traore missed a large part of this season due to injury and he is once again unavailable with an ACL injury. They also have other fellow key defenders as injury doubts such as Jon Pacheco, Aihen Munoz and Aritz Elustondo.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Ageurd, Javi Lopez; Martin Zubimendi; Kubo, Brais Mendez, Sucic, Sergio Gomez; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Traore (Injured), Zakharyan (Injured)
Questionable: Jon Pacheco (Injured), Aihen Munoz (Injured), Aritz Elustondo (Injured)
Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad Prediction
Celta Vigo, as mentioned, have been very entertaining to watch throughout the Claudio Giraldez era. They are very unlikely to get drawn towards a relegation battle and will fancy their chances of a tilt at the top seven or eight. Real Sociedad will head to Balaidos with their intense midfield and attack looking to exploit space in behind a leaky Celta defence and this one could end up being quite an entertaining encounter for the neutral.
Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad Tip: Both teams to score
