Celta Vigo vs Barcelona: Match Preview & predictions
Celta Vigo vs Barcelona: Match Preview & predictions. Barcelona travel to Celta Vigo in their first outing following the conclusion of the November international break on Saturday evening, as they seek to extend their lead atop La Liga.
La Blaugrana entered the recent club hiatus on a sour note after suffering a surprise defeat away at Real Sociedad, but they have built a healthy lead at the summit of La Liga. While Real Madrid do have a game in hand on their Clasico foes, Barca are currently perched six points ahead of the defending champions.
Hansi Flick‘s side have been in exceptional form in 2024/25, scoring 40 goals and conceding just 12 across their opening 13 league matches. A visit to mid-table Celta should see them get back on track ahead of a midweek Champions League encounter with French outfit, Brest.
Claudio Giraldez‘s side have been predictably mediocre this term and their inconsistent displays see them sitting in the middle of the pack. They have put up a fight in home defeats to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this term and will have to do the same at home to Barca on Saturday night.
Here is how we preview the clash between Celta Vigo vs Barcelona.
What time does Celta Vigo vs Barcelona kick-off?
Location: Vigo, Spain
Stadium: Estadio Abanca Balaidos
Date: Saturday 23 November
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Cesar Soto Grado
VAR: Daniel Jesus Truijllo Suarez
Celta Vigo vs Barcelona H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Celta Vigo: 1 win
Barcelona: 4 wins
Draws: 0
Last meeting: Celta Vigo 1-2 Barcelona (17 February 2024) – La Liga
Celta Vigo team news:
Celta don’t have many fitness concerns ahead of Barcelona’s visit, but the trio of Jailson, Sergio Carreira and Luca de la Torre are doubts to feature against the La Liga leaders.
Giraldez is likely to opt for defensive security on Saturday evening and former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso could make up a back three. La Masia product Ilaix Moriba could also line up in midfield to help protect the backline.
At the other end, Celta will be relying on former Liverpool striker and club legend Iago Aspas to test Barca’s defence, while the on-loan Borja Iglesias has also been in strong goalscoring form this term.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Celta Vigo (3-4-2-1): Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Moriba, Beltran, Ristic; Bamba, Aspas; Iglesias.
Barcelona team news:
Injuries have been rampant for Barcelona this season and they remain without a host of key figures, including influential youngster Lamine Yamal. The teenager was absent from the defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break and he’s unlikely to return for the weekend clash with Celta.
Elsewhere, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen are all unavailable for the trip. The latter’s comeback has further been delayed by surgery undergone in recent weeks.
In better news, Ferran Torres is available once again following a hamstring issue and Robert Lewandowski, who missed the November internationals due to a back problem, is back in training ahead of Saturday’s trip to Vigo.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Torres; Lewandowski.
Celta Vigo vs Barcelona score prediction:
Barcelona suffered a shock defeat before the international break, but should come roaring back when they travel to Celta. They will be without the influential Yamal but they retain enough attacking firepower to punish one of the division’s leakiest defences.
Only a handful of La Liga sides have scored more than Celta this season and they will have the attacking muscle to unnerve a Barcelona defence prone to a lapse in concentration.
However, Flick’s men should see off the challenge with relative ease and further extend their lead atop La Liga.
Prediction: Celta Vigo 0-3 Barcelona
