Villarreal vs Celta Vigo prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-19 20:30.
Marcelino’s first match back in charge of Villarreal last month, a 3-1 victory over Osasuna, has proved something of a false dawn. The Yellow Submarine have picked up just one La Liga (LL) point from a possible nine since (D1, L2), and with both defeats in that sequence coming by a three-goal margin, the new boss has certainly got his work cut out.
As a consequence, Villarreal sit 14th ahead of the round with comfortably their worst points total after their first 17 matches of a league campaign (16) since recording the same tally back in 2018/19. Home form is the clearest area for improvement, as only LL basement boys AlmerĂa (four) have picked up fewer points than Villarreal in home matches this term (seven).
Although they’re struggling themselves, visitors Celta Vigo are bound to feel they have a real chance of ending a four-match winless H2H run here (D2, L2). And the Galicians’ confidence will be further boosted after earning their first LL victory in 13 games at the weekend against fellow strugglers Granada, granting manager Rafael BenĂtez a stay of execution.
Despite that victory, Celta remain inside the LL relegation zone, although they’re now level on points with 17th-placed Sevilla. Ending a six-match winless league run on the road (D2, L4) would see them leapfrog their hosts and escape the danger zone, but as they’ve not scored in either of their last two away assignments, doing so will require an improvement from their forwards.
Players to watch: JosĂ© Luis Morales has looked reinvigorated in recent weeks, scoring eight goals in as many games – all of which came after half-time. Celta’s main man this term has been Jørgen Strand Larsen, who has netted six LL goals in 2023/24 – already more than the four he managed in his entire debut season in Spain’s top flight.
Hot stat: Seven of Celta’s 13 LL away goals conceded this campaign have come beyond the 80th minute.