Celta Vigo vs Mallorca Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Celta Vigo vs Mallorca on and what time does it start? Celta Vigo vs Mallorca will take place on Saturday 16th September, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Celta Vigo vs Mallorca? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Celta Vigo vs Mallorca on in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Mallorca will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Celta Vigo vs Mallorca in the UK? Celta Vigo vs Mallorca can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
CELTA VIGO
Both Eduardo Coudet and Carlos Carvalhal struggled to get some consistency for Celta and both managers have had to depart in the last 12 months due to underperformance. The Galicians narrowly avoided relegation to the second-tier on the final day of the season and have also had to deal with the summer sale of Gabri Veiga to Al Ahli.
They began this campaign with a very disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Osasuna, following the appointment of former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez over the summer. Since then, Celta have steadied themselves with a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad, narrow and unfortunate loss against Real Madrid and then thrilling 3-2 win in Andalusia away to Almeria.
MALLORCA
Towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign, Real Mallorca gambled by appointed experienced Mexican coach Javier Aguirre to steer them to safety. Aguirre did just that and the Balearic Islanders cruised towards mid-table. They did so, once again, last season but have lost key attacker Lee Kang-in to Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, albeit they have made some interesting additions with new investment from Team USA basketball coach Steve Kerr.
Mallorca have started the 2023/24 La Liga season by collecting just two points from their opening four matches. They shared an opening day 1-1 draw in the Canary Islands against newly-promoted Las Palmas before being beaten 1-0 by Villarreal a week later. Since then they have lost to Granada and then shared a goalless draw with Athletic Club.
THE TEAM NEWS
CELTA VIGO
Rafa Benitez is having to deal with a couple of attacking injuries with both Franco Cervi and Carles Perez missing from this weekend’s clash against Mallorca.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Villar; Mingueza, Nunez, Starfelt, Dominguez, Sanchez; Strand Larsen, Beltran, de la Torre, Bamba; Aspas
UNAVAILABLE: Cervi (Injured), Perez (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
MALLORCA
Javier Aguirre has two key injury concerns for this weekend with defender Antonio Raillo and midfielder Omar Mascarell out of their trip to Galicia.
PREDICTED XI (5-3-2): Rajkovic; Maffeo, Gonzalez, Valjent, Van Der Heyden, Lato; Rodriguez, Costa, Darder; Larin, Muriqi
UNAVAILABLE: Mascarell (Injured), Raillo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
It is expected that these two sides will be in the relegation dog fight this season and it may be a bit daft to suggest this is an early season six pointer. That said, though, Celta have gradually improved as the season has gone on as Rafa Benitez gets to grips with his squad at Balaidos. Mallorca have probably overperformed expectations in the last couple of seasons but the profile of their summer signings mean they have may have outgrown the need for an Aguirre-like manager. Given their home advantage, Celta are slight favourites.
TIP: CELTA VIGO TO WIN & UNDER 3.5 GOALS
