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

Los Che are currently 11th in the table, one point behind 10th-placed Celta, with both teams looking to end their respective 2021-22 campaigns on a positive note.

Match preview

Valencia will improve on last season's 13th-place finish in La Liga, but an underwhelming run of form has seen Los Che drop down into 11th position in the table heading into the final set of fixtures.

Jose Bordalas's side could still finish as high as ninth with a win here depending on other results, which would not be disastrous, while they reached the Copa del Rey final last month, losing on penalties to Real Betis.

Valencia have not been victorious in La Liga since the middle of March, drawing five and losing three of their eight matches since then, including a 1-1 with Espanyol last weekend.

Bordalas's team have struggled in front of their own fans this season, only picking up 23 points from 18 matches, which is among the worst home records in the division.

Valencia have won their last two matches against Celta, though, including a 2-1 victory in the reverse match back in December, and Los Che will be determined to end their campaign on a positive note.

Celta finished eighth in La Liga last season, but the Sky Blues are currently 10th in the table, one point behind ninth-placed Osasuna heading into the final set of fixtures.

Eduardo Coudet's side could finish ninth, 10th or 11th this season, and they will be bidding to record their 13th La Liga victory of the 2021-22 campaign this weekend.

Celta have only lost one of their last four league matches, winning two of their last three, including a 1-0 success over Elche last weekend, with Denis Suarez netting the only goal of the game.

The Sky Blues have been relatively strong on their travels this season, picking up 21 points from 18 matches, and the fact that Valencia have struggled at Mestalla this term should hand them confidence.

As mentioned, though, Celta have lost their last two games against Los Che, while they have not been victorious at Mestalla in Spain's top flight since March 2016.

Valencia La Liga form:

Valencia form (all competitions):

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

Team News

Valencia will again be missing Hugo Guillamon and Gabriel Paulista this weekend through injury, while Hugo Duro remains a doubt for the home side.

Los Che will also be without the services of Omar Alderete through suspension, which will open the door for Mouctar Diakhaby to feature in the middle of the defence.

Goncalo Guedes is also expected to be back in the starting side on Saturday, but it could again be a 5-3-2 formation, with Ilaix Moriba retaining his spot in the middle of midfield.

As for Celta, Renato Tapia will miss the match through suspension, while Fran Beltran, Franco Cervi, Nolito and Hugo Mallo are also out of the contest.

Santi Mina is also absent, having been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexual abuse, so Thiago Galhardo could start alongside Iago Aspas in the final third of the field.

Gabri Veiga could benefit from the absences of Tapia and Beltran to start in central midfield, while Augusto Solari should retain his spot in a midfield area for the visitors.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Correia, Foulquier, Comert, Diakhaby, Gaya; Soler, Racic, Moriba; Guedes, Gomez

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Dituro; Vazquez, Aidoo, Araujo, Galan; Solari, Veiga, D Suarez, Mendez; Galhardo, Aspas

We say: Valencia 1-1 Celta Vigo

Both sides will be determined to finish their campaign on a positive note, but we are struggling to back either with any real confidence at the moment. Valencia have drawn eight times on home soil this term, and we are predicting another stalemate in this contest.

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