Celta Vigovs.Osasuna

The hosts held Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Wanda Metropolitano last weekend, while Osasuna drew 1-1 at home to Real Madrid, with those two results opening the door for Barcelona to move to the top of the La Liga table.

Match preview

Celta took the lead against 10-man Atletico in the 68th minute of Saturday's contest, with Iago Aspas registering from the penalty spot, but Alexander Sorloth struck late on to secure a share of the spoils for the title hopefuls.

It was still a hugely impressive result for the Sky Blues, though, and four points have now been secured from their last two matches, heaving beaten Real Betis 3-2 in their last game in front of their own fans on February 8.

Claudio Giraldez's side have a record of eight wins, five draws and 11 defeats from their 24 league matches this season, with 29 points leaving them in 14th spot in the table, but they are only three points off eighth-placed Real Betis.

Celta were 13th in Spain's top flight last term, and they have been an excellent watch this season, finding the back of the net on 35 occasions in their 24 matches, but the Vigo outfit have the joint-third worst defensive record with 38 conceded.

The Sky Blues have the fifth-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 23 points from 12 matches, recording seven wins in the process, and they will be hosting an Osasuna side that have struggled on their travels in 2024-25.

Indeed, Osasuna have a record of one win, six draws and four defeats from their 11 games on the road, while they have only found the back of the net seven times away from home in La Liga this term, which is the joint-worst record alongside Valencia.

Vicente Moreno's side have 32 points to show from their 24 league matches this season, which has left them in ninth spot in the table, three points ahead of Celta and only three points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano.

Osasuna are currently in the picture for a European spot, and they will enter this match off the back of a strong result, having held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at El Sadar last weekend.

Kylian Mbappe sent Real Madrid ahead in the 15th minute of the contest, but Jude Bellingham was sent off before Ante Budimir levelled from the penalty spot just before the hour, and Osasuna's unbeaten run in La Liga has now been stretched to five matches.

Los Rojillos recorded a 3-2 victory over Celta in the reverse match between the two sides earlier this season, while they were also 2-0 winners when the pair locked horns in Vigo during the 2023-24 campaign.

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

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Celta Vigo form (all competitions):

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Osasuna La Liga form:

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D

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Team News

Celta will be missing at least three players through injury on Friday, with Miguel Rodriguez absent due to a groin issue, while Hugo Alvarez (knee) and Franco Cervi (thigh) are also out of the contest.

Carlos Dominguez is also a major doubt due to the issue which forced him off in the first half against Atletico, meaning that Oscar Mingueza could be introduced into the defensive unit on Friday night.

Aspas may also be in line for a spot following his goal off the bench against Atletico, but Fran Beltran should keep his spot in the middle of midfield despite his half-time withdrawal at Wanda Metropolitano.

As for Osasuna, Jesus Areso and Aimar Oroz are both suspended, with the pair picking up milestone yellow cards in the clash with Real Madrid.

However, there will be a boost for Moreno's team, with Enzo Boyomo returning after missing out against the champions due to a ban of his own.

Oroz's absence could open the door for Moi Gomez to feature in the middle of midfield, while there will again be a spot in the XI for Budimir, who has found the back of the net on 13 occasions in La Liga during the 2024-25 campaign.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Mingueza; Carreira, Beltran, Sotelo, Alonso; Aspas, Duran, Swedberg

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Boyomo, Catena, Herrando, Cruz; Ruben Garcia, Moncayola, Torro, M Gomez, Zaragoza; Budimir

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Osasuna

Celta are searching for their first home success over Osasuna since January 2022, and their record in front of their own fans this season should hand them a lot of confidence. Osasuna have found it difficult on their travels, but they have drawn six of their 11 games on the road, and we are expecting the points to be shared in a 1-1 draw on Friday night.

Written by

Matt Law

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