Celta Vigo vs Villareal
13th June 1600hrs
Football – Spain – La Liga
Pick Celta Vigo
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 6/4 odds taken 2000 GMT, Friday 12 June
The second of four La Liga games on Saturday is in Vigo as Celta take on Villareal. The hosts are just a point above the relegation zone but were improving before the break.
Table of Contents
Celta Vigo Preview – Can Celta pick up where they left off and move clear of the bottom three?
The three month layoff arguably came at the worst time for Celta compared to any other side in La Liga. Currently fourth bottom and just a point above the relegation zone, Oscar Garcia’s men were on their best run of the season with a five-match unbeaten run. Garcia – who had taken over in November – was finally beginning to find a system and style of play that worked.
How the break has impacted his team remains to be seen but they would obviously have been hoping to continue building their momentum at the time. Celta had kept three consecutive clean sheets leading up to the break, too.
Whilst there has been obvious improvement during that time – including a 2-2 draw away to Real Madrid and win at home to Sevilla – their position is still precarious. It looks as though three teams from six will be relegated and they are very much in the middle of that pack.
Looking at their record and the indications are that Celta’s home form is going to be crucial in their hopes of surviving. Four of their five wins in La Liga have come at the Balaidos, making Saturday’s first game back all that more important.
Villareal Preview – Will Villareal bounce back after losing their last three?
It was very much the opposite for Villareal leading into the break. The Yellow Submari are on a three-match losing run which has all but ended their hopes of a Champions League finish, as aspirational as that may have been. It’s also put them under significant pressure for a European spot entirely. Sitting in eighth at the moment, they are seven points behind Atletico Madrid who occupy the final Europa League position.
It will be disappointing for Javi Calleja whose team enjoyed such a positive run before those defeats – winning six and drawing two of the nine games previous.
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Whilst it is looking increasingly likely that Villareal will not be playing in Europe for a second consecutive season, they will want to bounce back to form in the remaining games. Paco Alcacer had started steadily enough since moving from Borussia Dortmund in the January transfer window. The former Valencia and Barcelona striker has two goals in six games.
It will be interesting to see how he links with the club’s top scorer Gerard Moreno who himself is hoping to beat his current best tally for goals. Moreno is currently on 11 league goals and needs six more to make this his most prolific campaign.
Celta Vigo vs Villareal Betting Advice
Key Facts – Celta Vigo vs Villareal Betting Tip
- Oscar Garcia led Celta to five games unbeaten before the season was paused
- Villareal come into this game having lost their last three in La Liga
- Celta have won the last three games against Villareal, including their meeting earlier in the season
This is a fixture which tends to produced goals, as well. The last 11 meetings between Celta Vigo and Villareal have seen 38 goals scored so lets hope it’s another entertaining affair.
There’s certainly plenty of attacking talent on both sides with Iago Aspas and Santi Mina the two biggest threats for the home team. Oscar Garcia has, however, made this Celta team more resolute and their biggest strength is in defence.
It could well be that defence which proves crucial here and help lead Celta to a vital win and their fourth straight over Villareal.
The best betting odds for Espanyol vs Alaves
Celta Vigo to win: 31/20 at Ladbrokes
Draw: 9/4 at Ladbrokes
Villareal to win: 17/10 at Ladbrokes
