Celta Vigovs.Las Palmas

The home side are currently 17th in the La Liga table, just three points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz, while Las Palmas sit 12th, 12 points ahead of the bottom three.

Match preview

Celta picked up four points from their two matches against Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano either side of the March international break, but they will enter this contest off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis.

The result left Claudio Giraldez's side in 17th spot in the division, boasting a record of six wins, 10 draws and 15 defeats from their 31 matches this season to collect 28 points.

Celta are only three points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz with seven games left, so they are far from comfortable, and there will be some tough matches next month, facing Villarreal, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in their opening three games of May.

The Sky Blues have struggled at home this season, only picking up 14 points from their 15 matches in front of their own supporters, while Las Palmas have claimed 15 points from their 15 games on their travels.

Celta have been present in Spain's top flight since 2012, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated this season, with their last three finishes in La Liga proving to be eighth, 11th and 13th.

Las Palmas have performed above expectations this season following their promotion from the Segunda Division, picking up 37 points from 31 matches, which is enough for 12th position in the division at this stage.

Los Amarillos are currently in a poor run of form, though, having lost each of their last four games in Spain's top flight to Athletic Bilbao, Almeria, Barcelona and Sevilla, failing to score in the process.

Garcia Pimienta's side have not been victorious in the league since February 10, collecting only two points from their last seven matches, but they are still in a very strong position when it comes to staying in La Liga.

Indeed, Las Palmas are currently 12 points ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz and therefore only an extraordinary turn of events would see them drop into danger in the latter stages of the campaign.

Pio Pio will be looking to make it a league double over Celta this season, having recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse match back in October, but they lost 2-1 on their last visit to Vigo in March 2018.

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

D

W

L

W

D

L

Las Palmas La Liga form:

D

D

L

L

L

L

Team News

Celta were missing five players for their clash against Real Betis last time out, and three of those will again definitely be absent, with Renato Tapia, Mihailo Ristic and Joseph Aidoo on the sidelines.

Carlos Dotor and Lucas de la Torre are also major doubts, and head coach Giraldez will not take any risks when it comes to potential injuries, as there is still a lot of football to be played this season.

The performance against Real Betis was a positive one, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI sent onto the field for this clash, although Carles Perez is pushing to be included in the starting side.

As for Las Palmas, two players will miss this game through suspension; Saul Coco was sent off in the early stages of the game with Sevilla and is therefore banned, while Marvin Park picked up a milestone yellow in the same match.

Julian Araujo will also again be absent due to a hamstring problem, but Alvaro Valles will be back in the team between the sticks after serving a suspension last time out.

There could potentially be just a fourth league appearance of the campaign for Alvaro Lemos in the middle of the defence, while Munir El Haddadi is also expected to return to the starting side for this match.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; Manquillo, Jailson, Dominguez; Mingueza, Beltran, Sotelo, Alvarez; Aspas, Larsen, Bamba

Las Palmas possible starting lineup:

Valles; A Suarez, Lemos, Marmol, S Cardona; Munir, Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez, Moleiro; Sandro

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Las Palmas

There has only been one draw in the last six La Liga meetings between these two sides, but we can see the points being shared this weekend. Celta have been poor at home this term, but Las Palmas are not particularly strong on their travels, and we are predicting a low-scoring draw here.

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