Celta Vigo vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-04-22 17:00.
[p]Wednesday night’s clash between Celta Vigo and Villarreal could have huge ramifications on the European race in La Liga. Celta begin the round in eighth, but have slumped to back-to-back losses after they threw away a 3-1 lead and conceded a 98th minute penalty to lose 4-3 at Barcelona at the weekend, after which boss Claudio Giráldez confessed his side “lacked legs”.[/p]
[p]That’s hardly what Celta fans will want to hear ahead of a quick turnaround into midweek action, and the Sky Blues now risk falling out of La Liga’s European spots altogether if they’re unable to secure all three points here. A return to Estadio de BalaĂdos could be the perfect antidote for tired legs, with Celta collecting 30 of their 43 points so far this term on home soil (W9, D3, L4), although they haven’t won either of their last two here (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]Villarreal begin the round above Celta in fifth place, which will be enough to earn a spot in the UEFA Champions League next term. Having been denied two goals by VAR in the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad, including a potential 96th minute winner, their cushion to sixth-placed Real Betis isn’t exactly a comfortable one, so the Yellow Submarine still have work to do if they’re to book their spot at Europe’s top table next season.[/p]
[p]As they attempt to secure what would only be a second top-five finish in five seasons, Marcelino’s side should remain confident of getting the job done having lost just two of their last 12 games (W6, D4). Extending that run seems likely given that Villarreal have lost only two of their last 13 away H2Hs against Celta across all competitions dating back to December 2006 (W5, D6).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Borja Iglesias is a man in form after a hat-trick against Barcelona, and already has four career goals against Villarreal, including one in August’s reverse fixture (L 4-3). Ten of Ayoze Pérez’s 14 La Liga goals this season have come on the road, though he awaits a first career strike against Celta.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ten of Celta’s 12 league games this season against sides starting the round above them saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]