Celta Vigo vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-01-12 20:00.
This may appear on paper a lopsided contest between a relegation battler and a top-four contender, but with both Celta Vigo and visiting Villarreal undefeated in La Liga (LL) action since its resumption, it would be a bold prediction to rule out the Sky Blues from Vigo. After his maiden league victory as the new Celta boss (W1, D2, L1), Carlos Carvalhal will be hoping his team’s first LL triumph in three months (W1, D3, L5), which also marked the first time they’ve gone three league games unbeaten this season, spawns a new era.
The home side secured a safe mid-table finish last season despite earning just 16 points from their first 16 matches, so Carvalhal’s players don’t have to go back far to know they can mount a strong recovery, particularly if they can repeat or better last season’s effort of just two losses from rounds 14 to 25 (W5, D5, L2) that included a 1-1 home draw with Villarreal.
Following their mesmerising home win over Real Madrid last weekend, hailed by new manager Quique Setién as “an extraordinary game against an extraordinary rival”, Villarreal are again within touching distance of the top four and potentially even their highest finish since returning to the top flight in 2013/14. With this the first of four consecutive LL games against bottom-half opposition (at the start of this round), it’s a tremendous opportunity to build more momentum ahead of a February meeting with Barcelona.
Setién was sacked by Barcelona just weeks after a 2-2 draw away to Celta in 2019/20, so he’ll know first hand not to take this trip lightly even despite the 11-point gulf between the two clubs. This will be just his third LL away trip in charge of Villarreal (W1, L1), with his last LL away outing bringing an end to six consecutive winless LL away games (D2, L4) with a 1-0 triumph at Espanyol.
Players to watch: Iago Aspas, Celta’s opening scorer in three of their last six LL home games, boasts two braces from his last five starts against Villarreal. Fellow penalty-taker Gerard Moreno has now found the net in three of his last four competitive outings for Villarreal and will be looking to add to his six all-time goals versus Celta.
Hot streak: Celta have failed to win their last seven LL games when starting as outsiders (D1, L6).