Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo Preview & Prediction | 2022-23 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo on and what time does it start? Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo will take place on Saturday 20th May, 2023 – 15:15 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo on in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo will be televised live on LaLigaTV (Sky channel 435, Virgin channel 554) for those with a Viaplay subscription, while Sky and Virgin customers can also sign up to the channel.
Where can I stream Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo in the UK? Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo can be streamed live on Viaplay
THE LOWDOWN
Athletic Bilbao
Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic Club have had a few chances to finish in the top seven in recent seasons and if they miss out on UEFA Europa Conference League qualification this time around then it will sting the Basque club. Their Copa del Rey semi-final defeat to Osasuna was one blow but they have now given up a great opportunity to wrap up seventh spot.
Their most recent outing saw them annihilated by still top four chasing Villarreal, last weekend. The Yellow Submarine’s rout began in the 24th minute and the mauling didn’t end until second-half stoppage-time. That was Athletic’s third defeat in their last four matches, allowing several of the chasing pack to close in and one to leapfrog them in the table.
They begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting eighth in La Liga, a point behind Girona, who were only promoted last season. Athletic are holding off the aforementioned Osasuna, as well as Sevilla, on goal difference, whilst both Rayo and Mallorca remain in the hunt, too.
Celta Vigo
In the middle of the season, Celta Vigo appointed former Swansea City, Sheffield Wednesday and Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal to replace the now Atletico Mineiro boss, Eduardo Coudet. The Galicians were badly struggling for cohesion and found themselves in the relegation battle.
After an impressive first few months in charge in which Celta marched their way up to the table and even flirted with the battle for a top seven finish and European football next season, they have struggled for any rhythm once again, particularly in attack.
They come into this on the back of a 2-1 loss at home to ten-man and relegation threatened Valencia, which was their third successive La Liga loss. Their poor run of form stretches back a few months now with Carvalhal’s side managing to collect just five points in their last eight matches with three of those points coming against bottom-of-the-table and already relegated Elche in a slender 1-0 victory at Balaidos.
THE PREDICTION
Both of these sides would have been hoping to head into La Liga’s run-in in better shape and form with the top seven so open this season. However, both come into this on the back of poor performances and results that have seen them seemingly limp towards the finish line. Despite Valverde and Carvalhal having a history of proactive football, the two teams have struggled for cohesion in attack so a low-scoring encounter would seem most likely as both teams strive for something special to take them through to the end of the campaign.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
