Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Following promotion back to the top-flight of Spanish football last season, Espanyol have found things quite tough at the start of this campaign as the Catalans now prepare to take on an entertaining Celta Vigo side in Catalonia.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 30th November, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Celta Vigo may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Preview: Lacklustre Espanyol
Over the summer, promotion winning coach Luis Garcia departed Espanyol to become Tintin Marquez’ assistant with the Qatari national team and he was replaced by B team coach Manolo Gonzalez. The Catalans begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting tucked inside the bottom three and the relegation places.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Girona in a Catalan derby at the weekend with goals being scored by Bryan Gil and Ladislav Krejci as well a brace from Bojan Miovski. That means they have now suffered four successive defeats in La Liga.
Celta Vigo Preview: Silky Celta
Since Celta’s own B team coach, Claudio Giraldez, replaced former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafa Benitez in the hotseat at Balaidos in Galicia, they have been much-improved and far more entertaining to watch as they try and compete for a top-half finish and potentially even a top seven finish and UEFA Europa Conference League qualification.
In their most recent outing, Celta pulled off a surprise 2-2 draw with league leaders Barcelona last weekend. Barcelona went 2-0 up in the 61st minute after goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski before Marc Casado’s red card was followed by quick-fire Celta goals scored by Alvaro Gonzalez and Hugo Alvarez.
Espanyol Team News: Experienced injuries
The home team are once again dealing with some experienced injuries as Edu Exposito is missing due to an ACL injury as he has been throughout the campaign.
As well as Edu Exposito, the home team are also without defender Fernando Calero and central midfielder Jose Gragera due to respective injury issues.
Predicted XI (5-4-1): Joan Garcia; Alvaro Tejero, El Hilali, Sergi Gomez, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre Carreras, Kral, Kumbulla, Javi Puado; Veliz
Unavailable: Fernando Calero (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured), Edu Exposito (Injured)
Questionable:
Celta Vigo Team News: No Jailson
The likes of Iago Aspas and Oscar Mingueza have been impressive this season and both outspoken in their praise of manager Claudio Giraldez throughout the campaign.
Celta have no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for this weekend’s trip across to Catalonia with experienced defender Jailson unavailable for this one.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Vicente Guaita; Javi Manquillo, Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Oscar Mingueza; Hugo Alvarez, Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba, Bamba; Iago Aspas, Douvikas
Unavailable: Jailson (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Prediction
Manolo Gonzalez’ style of football appears to lack identity. They aren’t necessarily overly defensive or reactive but also lack any sort of real cutting edge or cohesion in attacking areas of the pitch. Celta perhaps lack a balance between defence and attack but are always worth watching and they are also getting results under their belt so an away win would appear the likeliest outcome for this one in Catalonia.
Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Tip: Celta Vigo to win
