Villarreal vs Celta Vigo prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-08-25 19:30.
[p]Villarreal got their first win of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign at the second attempt as they struck in second-half stoppage time on Friday to beat Sevilla 2-1. They now return home looking to make it three games unbeaten to begin the season, but with boss Marcelino stating his side are in a “complicated situation” with the transfer window still open while the season remains in its infancy, off-field issues threaten to hurt them somewhat.[/p]
[p]Despite the complexities of the window, Villarreal have made a number of eye-catching signings so far and look well placed to remain unbeaten here after winning each of the last three home H2Hs against Celta Vigo. They’re a familiar opponent for Marcelino, with Celta one of 11 sides he has faced 20+ times in his managerial career, and with an impressive 71% unbeaten rate against this opposition (W10, D5, L6), he should be pleased to see them roll into town. [/p]
[p]Looking to put a dent in that percentage are Claudio Giráldez’s Celta, who continued their perfect start to the season by battling from behind to secure a 3-1 win over Valencia also on Friday. That result brought up a little bit of history for Giráldez who, ahead of their first away trip of the league season, became the first Celta manager since the turn of the century to go unbeaten in his first seven home games in La Liga (W5, D2) since VĂctor Fernández in 1998.[/p]
[p]Transferring that form onto the road is now the ultimate goal, but Giráldez has a much more modest away record in the top-flight (W2, L3). Never write Celta off though, as they’ve come from behind to win both league games this season – something they managed to do just once away from home in the entirety of 2023/24, which would hint at a new-found resoluteness. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Ayoze Pérez’s first goal in Villarreal colours was their fourth-latest winner in La Liga this century, with that 94:42 strike meaning four of his last five goals came beyond half-time. Looking to outdo him will be Celta stalwart Iago Aspas, who incredibly scored, assisted, and missed a penalty last time out, and that was actually the second time he has done that in his career, previously doing so in November 2023! [/p]
[p]Hot stat: All four games involving either side in La Liga this term, and the last three H2Hs, saw both teams score and over 2.5 total goals. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]