Celta Vigo vs Alaves prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-08-15 17:00.
[p]The start of the new La Liga campaign is finally upon Celta Vigo and Deportivo Alavés, and while both are expected to struggle to a degree this season, this is the day that fans can let their hopes and dreams run wild. Holding on to that optimism has progressively got more difficult for Celta fans over recent years, who have watched their team post a lower finish for the last three consecutive seasons now, culminating in 2023/24’s disappointing 14th-placed finish.[/p]
[p]That’s not to mention the loss of last term’s top league scorer, Jørgen Strand Larsen (G13), in a transfer to Wolves this summer. Replacements have been drafted in, most notably striker Borja Iglesias, who will hope to help Celta maintain their rock solid recent H2H league form against Alavés (W5, D1, L1). Their sole defeat in that run did come in the prior meeting between the sides last season, while Celta also have a hoodoo to break after failing to win each of their last eight season openers (D3, L5).[/p]
[p]After posting five consecutive bottom-half La Liga finishes and a season in the second-tier, Alavés returned to the top-flight to post their first top-half finish since 2016/17 last time around. Building on that with a strong start is by no means guaranteed if history is anything to go by, as Alavés currently endure their worst losing run of La Liga openers (L3) and have won just once across the last 15 top-flight away H2Hs (D4, L10). [/p]
[p]It’s not just this venue where AlavĂ©s struggle, as they ended last season having won just one of their final seven away games (W1, D2, L4). Despite the negatives, visiting manager Luis GarcĂa has a respectable record against Celta at least (W4, D5, L3), which includes wins against them with three different clubs and a win in the only clash against current boss Claudio Giráldez. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Iglesias will be looking to get off to a flying start for Celta and has a strong claim in this fixture as he’s only scored more goals against four other opponents than his five from eight H2Hs. As for the visitors, Tomás Conechny may be set to introduce himself to the fans quickly as each of the new signing’s five goals last season served to open the scoring. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Celta Vigo are unbeaten in five of their last six top-flight home games held on a Friday (W3, D2, L1).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Billon[/i][/p]