Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
On Sunday, two of the most entertaining teams in Spain’s top-flight meet at Balaidos this weekend as Celta face Girona in Galicia with the two sides clearly fun in attack but a little careless at the back.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 29th September, 2024 - UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Celta Vigo vs Girona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
CELTA VIGO PREVIEW: ALWAYS WATCH CELTA
The appointment of Claudio Giraldez has been a brilliant decision made by Celta following on from the underwhelming spell of Rafa Benitez in which the Galicians spent most of last season battling against the drop. However, this time around, they have become one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Spain’s top-flight.
In their seven matches so far this season, the hosts’ games have consisted of a combined total of 28 goals with only two teams having scored more than them and one conceding more. Their most recent outing was a low-scoring affair as Atletico Madrid defeated them with a late goal scored by Julian Alvarez up in Galicia.
GIRONA PREVIEW: ALWAYS WATCH GIRONA
For a second successive season, Girona have had the heart ripped out of them with the sales of Aleix Garcia, Savio and Artem Dovbyk. The Catalans do, though, still have their biggest asset, Michel, in charge. He led them to UEFA Champions League qualification last season in what was just their fifth season as a top-flight club ever.
With UEFA Champions League football, a small-ish squad and a very busy schedule; this season was always going to be a tough one to kick off and they have been inconsistent with two victories, two draws and three defeats. They were held to a goalless draw by Rayo Vallecano in midweek.
CELTA VIGO TEAM NEWS: MANQUILLO OUT BUT MINGUEZA BACK
The form of former Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza has been so good he was called up to the Spanish national side last month but he is now missing for Celta through injury.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-3): Guaita; Rodriguez Galiano, Starfelt, Jailson; Alvarez, Sotelo, Rodriguez, Aidoo; Aspas, Douvikas, Bamba
UNAVAILABLE: Ristic (Injured), Mingueza (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
GIRONA TEAM NEWS: NOTHING FRESH
Long-term injury absentee Ricard Artero remains the only doubt for Girona this weekend as they make the fairly long trip west to Balaidos this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Gazzaniga; Martinez, Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Martin, Herrera, Gil; Asprilla, Ruiz
UNAVAILABLE: Artero (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Garcia (Injured)
CELTA VIGO VS GIRONA PREDICTION
These are two of the more fun teams to watch as a neutral in Spain’s top-flight. For a league and country that has often adopted quite a defensive and reactive style of football in the last decade, these two are leading what is now quite a widespread improvement in the entertainment value of La Liga. This one has the potential to be quite thrilling for the neutral with goals to be expected.
CELTA VIGO VS GIRONA TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS