Prediction: Celta Vigo vs Villarreal

Verdict: Villarreal draw no bet

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to extend on their eye-catching flurry on Friday night, a high-flying Villarreal will make the trip to Balaídos when they meet Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo

Starting with the hosts, managing to open the New Year with what was a much-needed return to winning ways, Celta Vigo will be desperate to prove that was more than just a minor boost. Eventually claiming a gritty 1-0 victory away at Elche, Carlos Carvalhal will be calling on his side to find some stability in 2023. However, crashing out of the Copa del Rey last week following a 3-1 loss away at Espanyol, the one-time Sheffield Wednesday boss will know that his side should face another tough test here. At the heart of a relegation scrap and holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, Celta have claimed just a single La Liga win from their last nine attempts. With that run stemming all the way back to October 2nd, it should also be noted that Carvalhal’s side were hit with a 1-0 loss when they last faced off against Friday’s guests 10 months ago.

Team News

Celta Vigo have reported a clean bill of health ahead of Friday’s showdown at Balaídos. After recording eight La Liga strikes in his 16 appearances this season, attacking talisman Iago Aspas will spearhead Carvalhal’s charge.

Impressing off the bench away at Elche last weekend, Jorgen Strand Larsen will be hoping for a full recall here.

Villarreal

As for the visitors, while Villarreal might have shown some extended inconsistencies prior to the World Cup break, the Yellow Submarine have come roaring back in some style. Laying down what was a real marker last weekend and shocking many across Spain as they claimed a 2-1 victory at home against defending champions Real Madrid, Quique Setien’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Sat just a single point adrift of breaking into the top-four, the former Barcelona boss has now seen his side win each of their last three La Liga outings. Likewise, marking their top-flight return on New Year’s Eve as they picked up another 2-1 win against Valencia, Friday’s guests will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Not tasting a single La Liga defeat on their travels since the end of October, Villarreal will also be boosted by their most recent meeting against the relegation scrappers.

Team News

Villarreal will be without the duo of Alex Baena and Raul Albiol on Friday night as they both will be serving a suspension. Likewise, the Yellow Submarine are also sweating over the fitness of Giovani Lo Celso and Nicolas Jackson.

However, Setien is hopeful that former Watford midfielder Etienne Capoue will be able to make his return here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in March 2022, Villarreal claimed a deserved 1-0 victory on home soil.
• The Yellow Submarine have won each of their previous three La Liga matchups on either side of the World Cup break.
• Last weekend’s 1-0 win against Elche was the first La Liga victory that Celta Vigo have collected from their previous nine attempts.
• Villarreal have not suffered a single La Liga defeat on their travels since the end of October.
• Friday’s guests have lost just one of their last five meetings against Celta Vigo – a run that stems back to November 2019.

Conclusion

Laying down a real marker last weekend as they snatched a stellar 2-1 win at home against Real Madrid, Villarreal have continued to shine since returning from the World Cup break. Now winning each of their last three La Liga showdowns and with their sights set on clinching a top-four finish in 2023, Friday’s guests should be smelling a chance here. While Celta Vigo might have finally drawn a line under their eight-match winless run last week, Carvalhal’s side find themselves at the heart of a relegation scrap. With the Yellow Submarine claiming a 1-0 victory when they last faced off against Los Celestes last season, we’re backing an away draw no bet.

Verdict: Villarreal draw no bet

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet