Friday, March 29, 2024

Prediction: Barcelona vs Celta Vigo

Tom Dunstan in Free Soccer Predictions, La Liga 9 May 2022

292 Views

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make it three La Liga wins on the spin, Barcelona will welcome Celta Vigo to the Nou Camp on Tuesday night.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might not have been at their best over the past month, the former Spanish champions have managed to wrap up a Champions League spot with time to spare. Eventually watching left-back Jordi Alba grab a last-gasp winner as they snatched a 2-1 victory away at Real Betis a few days ago, Head Coach Xavi is desperate for his side to end the 2021/22 campaign with a flurry. While the European heavyweights might not have been able to mount any kind of La Liga title charge this season, the midweek hosts have secured back-to-back domestic wins since opening May. However, shockingly crashing out of the Europa League last month at the hands of German outfit Eintracht Frankfurt, it should be highlighted that Barca have remarkably lost three of their last four home fixtures across all formats. Nevertheless, despite only winning one of their last four meetings against Celta Vigo, fans around the Nou Camp should be smelling a chance on Tuesday night.

Team News

Coming off the bench against Real Betis and finding the net last weekend, attacking talisman Ansu Fati could make his first Barcelona start of the season.

However, Tuesday’s hosts will be without the likes of Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Nico Gonzalez, Sergi Roberto, Pedri and Sergino Dest on Tuesday night.

Celta Vigo

As for the visitors, while Celta Vigo might have opened the 2021/22 campaign with their sights set on securing a European return, Los Celestes almost find themselves sat in La Liga limbo. Now simply hoping to clinch another top-half finish this season, Head Coach Eduardo Coudet has seen his side gain a reputation for their inconsistencies. Although they might have been last seen a few days ago picking up a routine 4-0 romp against rock-bottom Alaves on home soil, the Sky Blues have managed to win just a pair of their last eight top-flight contests. With their recent struggles stemming all the way back to March 6th, Celta have also shown some real issues on the road this season. Including crashing out of the Copa del Rey back in January after a shock 2-1 defeat away at lower-league Baleares, Tuesday’s guests have picked up just a pair of victories away from Balaídos since opening 2022.

Team News

Celta Vigo make the trip to the Nou Camp with no fresh injury issues or suspensions to worry about.

Tuesday’s guests will once again be missing Hugo Mallo on Tuesday night as he still recovers from a patella fracture.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When the two sides last faced off back on November 6th, Tuesday’s opponents played out an action-packed 3-3 draw.
    • Barcelona have managed to win just one of their last four meetings against Celta Vigo.
    • However, since opening 2022, the Sky Blues have recorded just a pair of away victories across all formats.
    • Barca have lost three of their last four matchups at the Nou Camp across all formats.
    • Four of the last five meetings between Barcelona and Cela Vigo have finished with both teams finding the net.

    Conclusion

    Managing to book another top-four finish with a last-gasp 2-1 victory against Real Betis over the weekend, Barcelona are simply looking to sign off the 2021/22 campaign with a flurry. However, after losing three of their last four contests at the Nou Camp, Xavi will have a continued headache over his side’s struggles at the back. Once again missing a host of big-name stars on Tuesday night, don’t be surprised to see chances at both ends of the pitch here. With Barca and Celta playing out an action-packed 3-3 draw when the two sides faced off back in November, they do have a reputation for producing fireworks. Likewise, with four of their last five meetings finishing with both teams finding the net, we’re backing a similar outcome here.

    Verdict: Both teams to score

    Best Odds: 8/11

    Bookmaker: Unibet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

    SHARE OR COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

    WE RECOMMEND

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This field is required *

    Join the conversation!

    or Register

    Live Scores

    advertisement

    Betting Guide Advertisement

    advertisement

    Become a Writer
    More More
    Top