After a week of European action, we will be treated to the excitement of the league matches again. This weekend, the fixtures are being started off with a clash between Celta Vigo and the newly promoted Girona, where both the teams will be vying for the much-needed three points to bring some positivity into their respective seasons.
CELTA VIGO vs. GIRONA
Three-way: 1: Celta Vigo -119; X: +280 Draw; 2: Girona +475
Spread -0.5: Celta Vigo -130; Girona +125
Total +2.5: Over +112; Under -118
CELTA VIGO
After a slow start to the season, Celta Vigo looks to finally get their campaign on the right track after getting a good string of performances in the league. Even though their attack always managed to find a way to breach the opposition defense, they were never able to hold on or to push hard enough to grab a draw or a victory; something that looks like will be changing soon judging by the last couple of games. The fans will be eager to see signs that of the team going in a different direction than towards the end of last season, where they dropped points far too easily and frequently.
After a dismal start to the season, where they always seemed to lack the drive needed to push on for victories, Celta Vigo looks to have found a groove to grab results. Their form over the last six games has been 2-1-3, with all three losses coming in the first four matches. During these matches, they have shown their ability to regularly find the net, as they have scored in all matches, with 10 goals scored in total. However, it has been their defense that has been a source of disappointment, as it has failed to stay concentrated and allowed too many easy goals. Celta Vigo has conceded a total of 8 goals, which highlights the fact that even though they haven’t lost by big margins, the small errors have proved very costly in each match.
Their last outing was a trip to Eibar, where they had a very positive time. Celta Vigo managed to return home with a well earned 3 points, as they totally thrashed the home side with some quick attacking play in the first half, to win 0:4. Prior to this fixture, they battled out a 1:1 draw at home against a determined Getafe outfit. Even though it wasn’t the best of results, it was exactly what was needed after three defeats in the previous four matches, to boost the players’ morale, especially the ones in defense.
Summer signing Maxi Gomez is proving to be an excellent addition to the squad. The Uruguayan youngster has taken the role of Celta’s forward like a duck to water. He has already scored an impressive five goals in six league appearances, which will make it very difficult for the club to hold on to him after this season if he continues on this form. Along with him, winger Pione Sistone has also shown his creativity on more than one occasion in the league this season, as he has made four goals and scored another one in just 6 appearances.
In terms of injuries and suspensions, there isn’t much to be concerned about, come this weekend’s clash. Their only absentee for this fixture will be defensive midfielder Nemanja Radoja, who is out with knee problems.
GIRONA
After a surprisingly good start, things are starting to get on the same path as most people expected when it came to Girona at the start of the season. The players have still shown impressive determination in matches, as was exemplified by the excellent manner by the on-loan right-back Pablo Maffeo who man marked the talismanic Argentine forward Lionel Messi in their defeat against Barcelona last weekend. However, the fans will be hoping that such individual performances are present on a collective basis, so as to get some points for the team which will, in turn, help the team to stay up in the league.
After their gritty performance against Atletico, people were thinking that maybe they will pose serious problems to all the teams in the league. However, the next few results somewhat subdued those assumptions. Their record over the last six league games has been 1-2-3, which gives a misleading picture in truth. Yes, they lost thrice, but in those three matches, they were up against terrific opponents in Bilbao, Sevilla and Barcelona, three of the very top teams in Spain. During these six matches, Girona scored just three goals, all of those coming in the first two matches. On the other hand, they have conceded 8 goals, while keeping two clean sheets. And keeping the capabilities of the opposition they faced during this period, it isn’t too bad of a stat.
The last away match of Girona was a visit to Leganes, against whom; they played out a gritty but drab scoreless draw. However, away from home, a point is never too bad for a newly promoted team. This match was followed by a visit from Catalan giants Barcelona. Yes, they did lose 0:3 against Barca, but they were more or less the architects of their own downfall, as they scored two own goals, even though right back Pablo Maffeo did an excellent job of man-marking the mercurial Leo Messi throughout the game.
In a team that has scored just three goals in their league campaign so far, it is hard to find someone excelling in the attack. Nevertheless, summer signing Cristhian Stuani has shown good movement in games, which has resulted in him scoring two goals in five appearances. In terms of midfield play, Alex Granell has tried to fashion chances for his team, which has given an assist to his name.
Going into such an important match for their season, the manager will be worried a bit as he will be without three key men in all likelihood. Left-back Carles Plana, has been out since the end of August with a hamstring problem, and may not have recovered yet. Centre-back Marc Muniesa will be out with a muscular injury, while David Timor is recovering from his own Muscular problems.
CELTA VIGO vs. GIRONA – Match Prediction:
This match will be an important fixture that will help shape up the season for both the teams, as both the clubs are searching for consistency and results to go along with good performances. Looking at the past couple of fixtures and the players in both the squads, I feel that this match will be a tough ask for Girona to win.
With the home crowd behind them, I think that Celta Vigo will be the team that will come out with the three points this Friday night. Therefore, my prediction will be a narrow home win.
MY PICK: Celta Vigo to win (-119)
