Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-01-19 20:00.
After struggling to get his side going at the start of the campaign, claiming just one league win from 16 attempts, Celta Vigo manager Rafael BenĂtez has since led his team to four victories across their last six competitive outings (D1, L1), easing some of the mounting pressure on his position. The Sky Blues took the lead against Mallorca at the weekend also, but then failed to hold on for another three-point haul, though that 1-1 draw did still lift them another spot away from the relegation zone.
Having not suffered a La Liga relegation since 2006/07, safety is the only target now for Celta, yet they’ll need to improve upon their torrid home form (W2, D4, L4) to achieve that. They might have won their last two at Estadio de BalaĂdos this term, but the hosts have kept just one clean sheet in ten attempts, whilst BenĂtez’s side have also failed to score in four of those outings – the joint-most in the competition – which doesn’t necessarily breed confidence ahead of this clash.
There’s also the sizeable problem that next up they face Real Sociedad, a side who have won each of the last four meetings at this venue. That said, by the high standards that the visitors have set of late, which included finishing top of their Champions League group at the expense of Inter Milan, their return of no wins across their last four La Liga outings (D3, L1) will have dented confidence, although they did win at Osasuna in midweek cup action.
A 2-1 loss to Basque rivals Athletic Bilbao over the weekend extended that winless run in La Liga, whilst the visitors have also failed to score more than once in six of their last seven most recent outings across all competitions. With just one defeat in six away league fixtures though (W2, D3), Sociedad may favour another return to the road here.
Players to watch: Celta’s Iago Aspas only has three La Liga goals this season, but he has ten strikes across 20 prior league H2Hs – his joint-most against any side. As for Sociedad, Mikel Oyarzabal netted in midweek to take his overall tally this campaign to 11, whilst he’s scored in each of the past three seasons against Celta.
Hot stat: Celta have received just 34 La Liga yellow cards this season – the joint-fewest in the competition ahead of the round.