Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will be looking to make it four La Liga victories in a row when they travel to a struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon.

Celta are currently 17th in the table with just six points to show from their first seven matches of the 2020-21 campaign, while Sociedad are the early leaders with 14 points from their opening seven fixtures.

Match preview

© Reuters

One win, three draws and three defeats - that is how Celta have performed in Spain's top flight this season, with a total of six points from seven matches leaving them in 17th position in the table.

Worryingly, Celta have only scored four times in the league this term - the joint-worst record alongside Athletic Bilbao - and it is difficult to see where the goals are going to come from. Iago Aspas has already come up with three La Liga strikes, but the likes of Nolito, Santi Mina and Denis Suarez are yet to get off the mark.

The Sky Blues did manage to end a three-game losing run with a point at Levante on Monday night, but a poor result against Sociedad would certainly put pressure on head coach Oscar Garcia ahead of two difficult games away to Elche and Sevilla either side of the international break.

The Celts have actually been victorious in three of their last five league games with Sociedad, though, including a 1-0 win in the last meeting between the two teams towards the end of last season.

© Reuters

Sociedad, meanwhile, have won four, drawn two and lost one of their seven league matches this season to top the table with 14 points, one point clear of second-placed Real Madrid.

The Basque outfit are comfortably the leading scorers in La Liga this season with 14, while they have the second best defensive record with just three conceded, which is a further indication of their strong start.

The White and Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Valencia at the end of September but have been victorious in each of their last three with Getafe, Real Betis and Huesca.

Portu and Mikel Oyarzabal have eight league goals between them this term, while former Manchester City attacker David Silva has been in impressive form in a deeper position.

Sociedad have not finished higher than sixth in the league since claiming fourth in 2012-13 but their strong start suggests that they are capable of pushing for a Champions League spot this term.

Imanol Alguacil 's side will enter this weekend's match off the back of a defeat, though, having been on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline at home to Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Celta Vigo La Liga form: WDLLLD

Real Sociedad La Liga form: DWLWWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions): LWWWWL

Team News

© Reuters

Celta will again be without the services of Hugo Mallo, Kevin Vazquez and Sergio Alvarez through injury, while the match is likely to come too soon for Ruben Blanco.

Joseph Aidoo 's involvement is also in doubt, having recently been diagnosed with coronavirus, but the team have no fresh concerns from the clash with Levante.

Aspas is again expected to be joined in the final third by Mina, while Denis Suarez and Nolito should again line up in midfield, meaning that Fran Beltran could start on the bench once again.

As for Sociedad, Igor Zubeldia, Joseba Zaldua, Asier Illarramendi and Luca Sangalli remain unavailable for selection leading into this weekend's contest.

Alguacil is expected to make changes from the side that started against Napoli in the Europa League on Thursday night, with Willian Jose and Martin Zubimendi likely to return to the XI.

Mikel Merino should also get the nod in midfield alongside David Silva, while Nacho Monreal is expected to feature at left-back despite Aihen Munoz starting in that position against Huesca in La Liga last weekend.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Carreira, Araujo, Murillo, Fontan, Olaza; D Suarez, Tapia, Nolito; Aspas, Mina

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Monreal; Zubimendi, D Silva, Merino; Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Portu

We say: Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Sociedad

Celta have had longer to prepare for this weekend's contest, and Sociedad had a very tough European fixture on Thursday night. We are finding it difficult to back the home side due to their struggles, though, and fancy Sociedad to put another three league points on the board.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.