Celta Vigo Vs Valencia
Celta Vigo Vs Valencia Saturday 19 September 2020 – 20:00 (GMT)
Spanish La Liga
Pick: Draw
Odds: 13/5
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 16 September 2020)
Preview: Home advantage counted for a lot last season as both teams registered 1-0 victories on their own patch. In theory, this should favour Celta Vigo ahead of Saturday’s renewal at Balaidos, a venue where Valencia have won only one of their five prior visits in league and cup.
Spanish La Liga Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Celta Vigo Preview – Another nervy run-in with relegation beckons?
Despite a quiet summer of transfer activity, with the club relying primarily on free transfers and the modest addition of Miguel Baeza from Real Madrid Castilla to bolster their playing ranks, we can still find attractive odds of 13/2 (Betfair and PaddyPower) about relegation this season for Celta Vigo. This, after all, is a club that finished a mere point clear of danger in 2019-20 to finish 17th for the second season running.
It was only one game, the first game, but there was little evidence on show at the Ipurua last week to suggest The Sky Blues are worthy of such confidence in the relegation market. Admittedly a goalless draw away to Eibar was hardly disastrous, while they did create the game’s best opening as well, however it was still a case of more of the same from a side which ended last season winless in seven (D4 L3).
A home fixture on this second week should boost their cause, though. Last season, Celta Vigo relied heavily on their exploits in Galicia, picking five of their seven victories at their Balaidos ground. Yet their record here (W5 D8 L6) still ranked them a lowly 18th, with that absurd 6-0 scoreline against Alaves during post-lockdown representing their sole win on home soil since February (W1 D3 L2).
Valencia Preview – New season but same away woes?
The Javi Gracia era is officially up and running with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Levante in the Valencian derby. It wasn’t entirely convincing but it was certainly compelling, twice coming from behind to draw level at Mestalla. A late brace from 23-year-old Spanish striker Manu Vallejo ultimately ensured a triumphant return to La Liga for Gracia, whose previous spells in Spain include short stints at Malaga and Osasuna.
Valencia’s turbulent summer has become common knowledge now, but it is still worth stressing the importance of losing so many key figures from their dressing room – especially as the club has made no effort to sign up replacements. Club captain Dani Parejo, fellow midfielder Francis Coquelin, talented wide-man Ferran Torres and top scorer Rodrigo have all been moved on in an effort to bolster the club coffers.
Such upheaval is bound to adversely impact what happens out on the pitch, and so it was no real surprise when Levante regularly exploited their porous rearguard. That is now two clean sheets in 16 La Liga games, and only one in the last nine (W3 D1 L5). Don’t expect another to materialise in Vigo, either: Los Che, winless on the road since December (D3 L8), have conceded in each of their last 16 away league games.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Celta Vigo Vs Valencia Betting Advice
Between them, these teams banked five league wins across 22 post-lockdown games last season. Valencia accounted for marginally more, with three, and were the only ones celebrating victory on the opening matchday of 2020-21. Those numbers are stark, though, and vaguely imply neither can be fully trusted for this. Moreover, each of the last eight league meetings were either drawn (2) or settled by a single goal.
Celta Vigo Vs Valencia – Key Facts
- During post-lockdown of last season, Celta Vigo featured six times at home in La Liga, with these games returning only one win for the hosts (W1 D3 L2).
- Not since 7 December 2019, in a 4-2 victory over local rivals Levante, has Valencia registered an away win in La Liga (D3 L8 thereafter).
- Prior to last season’s league meetings ending 1-0 in favour of both home teams, there had been eight consecutive league and cup meetings in which both teams had scored.
Another tight encounter is what we envisage, but there is also the likelihood for goals. Celta Vigo fired a blank on the opening weekend, however, their final four home fixtures of 2019-20 produced goals at both ends. Valencia, on the other hand, failed to score in seven of their final nine away encounters, but should be confident of netting here after hitting Levante for four in their opening game. 1-1 Draw.
Best Betting Odds – Celta Vigo Vs Valencia
Celta Vigo – 5/4 (Betway)
Draw – 13/5 (Bet365)
Valencia – 21/10 (Betfair)
