Celta Vigo vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-11-04 17:30.
Two clubs in recently uncharted waters will meet at Estadio de Balaídos in one of the many battles that will begin to disband the logjams in both the top and bottom halves of the La Liga (LL) standings. Celta Vigo began the round as one of the eight clubs above bottom-placed Elche that were separated by just three points so they could be in for a difficult and introspective World Cup break if they cannot get positive results from either Osasuna or Rayo Vallecano.
Celta Vigo are no strangers to lengthy periods of mediocrity, with this their 11th period of at least four LL games without victory (D1, L4) since the beginning of the 2019/20 season. But even this is a trough not often experienced, with their current haul of 11 points their equal-second fewest after 12 LL rounds over the last decade. Pertinently, as far as this game is concerned, they’ve suffered four defeats from five contests against top-half clubs (W1) this season with an aggregate scoreline of 4-11.
Contrast that with Osasuna’s remarkable start to their campaign, with this the first time since finishing fourth in the 2005/06 season that they have collected at least 20 points in their first 12 rounds (W6, D2, L4). A 2-0 win over Valladolid last round was a result described as “reaffirming” by manager Jagoba Arrasate who has targeted their final two games before the World Cup as a test of their credentials as potential top-six challengers.
They appear to now be past their wobble from earlier in the season that included home losses to Getafe and Valencia, and their final hurdle on the way to establishing themselves as a long-term top-half presence is to end three games without victory away from home (D2, L1), all in which they conceded goals before half-time.
Players to watch: Celta’s Gabri Veiga is establishing himself as somewhat of a first half specialist, with 11 of his 13 professional goals – including his two in Celta’s last six LL games – all coming before half-time. On a similar note, penalty taker Chimy Ávila has registered goals before the break in four LL appearances (W4) this season.
Hot stat: Just 25% of LL matches involving Osasuna this season have finished with at least three total goals – the equal-lowest of any LL club going into the round.