Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Celta Vigo vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Celta Vigo vs Barcelona will take place on Sunday 4th June, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Celta Vigo vs Barcelona ? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Celta Vigo vs Barcelona on in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV (Sky channel 435, Virgin channel 554) for those with a Viaplay subscription, while Sky and Virgin customers can also sign up to the channel.
Where can I stream Celta Vigo vs Barcelona in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay
THE LOWDOWN
Celta Vigo
Mid-way through the season, Celta Vigo decided to replace Eduardo Coudet, who is now the coach of 2021 Brazilian Serie A winners Atletico Mineiro, with former Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea and Braga boss Carlos Carvalhal. Carvalhal had a good and innovative spell in charge of Braga and results immediately improved with Celta as they moved into mid-table. However, a horror run of form in recent months means they begin the final day in serious trouble.
The Galicians come into this on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat away to their fellow relegation battlers, Cadiz, in their most recent outing, last weekend. That loss means they are now winless in their last six matches.
In fact, their poor run of form can be extended to just one victory in their last 11 La Liga matches, in a run that stretches back to mid-March, before the spring international break. That one win came against an Elche side that have been bottom-of-the-table for the vast majority of the season and were relegated a few weeks ago and it required a second-half stoppage-time winner from Joseph Aidoo.
Barcelona
In recent seasons, Barcelona have suffered from major financial difficulties and complications. In the summer of 2022, after the re-election of Joan Laporta as president, the club, led by Sporting Director Mateu Alemany, used financial ‘levers’ to fund an ambitious summer spending spree. That summer spending spree was essentially a hedged bet and requires significant success in the following years. The Catalans have reclaimed the Spanish title this season but that has to be just the start.
With just 18 goals conceded this season, Barcelona have played a more reactive style of football than would have been first expected. Xavi’s early spell in charge of the Blaugrana highlighted an impressive and cohesive, slick passing style of football but has since become a bit more pragmatic and functional as they chase down silverware.
They have managed just 69 goals in their 37 games so far this season, which is a reasonable number relative to previous seasons for Barcelona but not quite for a champion Barca side. They come into this on the back of an impressive 3-0 defeat of mid-table Real Mallorca last weekend in a game in which Camp Nou said goodbye to Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba and the supporters said goodbye to Camp Nou, for a season at least, as renovations take place at the famous ground next year.
THE PREDICTION
There are lots of permutations on this final day with Celta Vigo very much in the battle against the bottom three. The Galicians could well be relegated down to the second-tier for the first time since their automatic promotion back to the top-flight in 2012. That spell will concern Celta because it took them six seasons to get back to La Liga, following relegation. Barcelona are stumbling along towards the end of the season and have already helped out one side, Real Valladolid, down at the bottom end of the table when they lost 3-1 to Valladolid about ten days ago. Celta have failed to score more than one goal in their last nine games and if they are to come out on top in this one, it is going to be have to be in a low-scoring encounter, which is quite likely.
TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS