Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid: La Liga Clash Preview
As the excitement of La Liga continues to build, all eyes will be on Balaidos this Thursday, where Celta Vigo will host Atletico Madrid in a highly anticipated clash. With both teams looking to solidify their positions in the league, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Current Standings and Form
Atletico Madrid enters this matchday in fourth place, boasting an unbeaten record so far this season. They have accumulated 13 points from their first six matches, with four wins and three draws. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo sits in ninth place, three points adrift of their opponents, having experienced a mixed bag of results this season.
Celta has shown a stark contrast in form when playing at home versus away. They have been formidable at Balaidos, winning all three of their home matches, while struggling on the road with three consecutive losses. This home advantage could play a crucial role in their performance against a strong Atletico side.
Recent Encounters
Historically, Celta Vigo has found it challenging to overcome Atletico Madrid, failing to win any of their last 11 encounters (with Atletico winning eight and drawing three). The last meeting at Balaidos ended in a convincing 3-0 victory for the Colchoneros, further emphasizing their dominance in this fixture.
Team News
Celta Vigo
Celta Vigo will be without Mihailo Ristic and Luca de la Torre, who are sidelined with calf and ankle injuries, respectively. Oscar Mingueza is also unavailable due to a muscle injury sustained in the recent match against Athletic Bilbao. In response, manager Claudio Giraldez is expected to make tactical adjustments, moving Hugo Alvarez to right wing-back and introducing Marcos Alonso on the left flank.
Celta’s attacking prowess has been evident this season, with Iago Aspas leading the charge. The team has scored 14 goals, making them the third-highest scorers in La Liga. However, their defensive vulnerabilities have seen them concede 13 goals, leaving them with the second-worst defensive record in the league.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, will miss the experienced defender Cesar Azpilicueta due to a muscle injury. Thomas Lemar and Pablo Barrios are also doubts, while Rodrigo De Paul is expected to return to the squad after missing the last match.
Manager Diego Simeone is likely to reinstate Antoine Griezmann to the starting lineup after resting him in the previous game. The Colchoneros have shown resilience this season, with their last match ending in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Despite this, they remain one of the three teams yet to lose in La Liga and will be eager to maintain that record.
Possible Lineups
Celta Vigo’s Possible Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Guaita
- Defenders: J. Rodriguez, Starfelt, Jailson
- Midfielders: Alvarez, Beltran, Moriba, Alonso
- Forwards: Aspas, Swedberg, Iglesias
Atletico Madrid’s Possible Starting XI:
- Goalkeeper: Oblak
- Defenders: Llorente, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo
- Midfielders: Lino, Gallagher, Koke, Riquelme
- Forwards: Griezmann, Sorloth
Match Prediction
Given Celta Vigo’s strong home form and Atletico Madrid’s historical dominance in this matchup, the game is set to be a closely contested affair. While Celta will look to leverage their home advantage, Atletico’s quality and experience may ultimately prove decisive.
Final Prediction: Celta Vigo 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Despite Celta’s impressive unbeaten streak at home, their struggles against Atletico in recent years suggest that the visitors will have the edge in this encounter. With both teams eager for points, fans can expect an exciting match filled with intensity and skill.
For further insights and detailed analysis, be sure to check out Sports Mole’s coverage of this thrilling La Liga clash.