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

The Catalan outfit will enter the match off the back of a 1-0 loss to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night, while Celta recorded a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in the league last weekend.

Match preview

Barcelona are flying in La Liga, winning each of their six matches since the goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano on the opening weekend of the 2022-23 campaign.

Xavi's side have incredibly not even conceded a goal in the league since the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on August 21, keeping clean sheets in their last five against Real Valladolid, Sevilla, Cadiz, Elche and Mallorca, scoring 15 times in the process.

The run has allowed them to move to the top of the table, albeit level on points (19) with the champions Real Madrid, and it will seemingly be a fascinating battle for the title this term, with every dropped point likely to be precious due to the strength of both sides.

Barcelona have serious work to do when it comes to the Champions League, though, as they lost their second straight game in the competition on Tuesday evening, going down 1-0 to Inter Milan at San Siro.

The Catalan outfit are currently third in Group C on three points, three behind second-placed Inter and six from leaders Bayern Munich, with the team set to welcome Inter to Camp Nou for a huge contest next week.

Celta suffered a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona at Camp Nou last season, but they did record a 2-1 victory in the famous stadium in May 2021, and the Sky Blues will be the fresher of the two sides on Sunday night.

Eduardo Coudet's side suffered back-to-back defeats to Atletico Madrid and Valencia before the international break, conceding seven times in the process, but they will enter this match off the back of a morale-boosting win.

Gabri Veiga scored the only goal of the match against Real Betis last weekend, with the victory leaving Celta in 11th position in the table, boasting 10 points from their opening seven matches.

The Vigo-based outfit finished 11th in Spain's top flight last season, but they were eighth in 2020-21 and sixth in 2015-16, so a push into the top half of the division is certainly possible this term.

Celta do not have any European commitments this season but still have a busy October, facing Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid, Getafe and Almeria before the end of the month.

Barcelona La Liga form:

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Barcelona form (all competitions):

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Celta Vigo La Liga form:

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Team News

Barcelona have six players currently on the sidelines, with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie the latest individuals to pick up injuries, with the former's issue occurring against Inter.

Kessie then suffered an injury in training on Wednesday, with the pair joining Hector Bellerin, Ronald Araujo, Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde on the treatment table.

Frenkie de Jong has been back in training this week, though, and the Netherlands international is set to be available for the contest at Camp Nou.

Gerard Pique could replace Christensen in the back four, while Ansu Fati and Alejandro Balde are pushing to return to the side following the clash with Inter at San Siro.

As for Celta, Franco Cervi will miss the match through suspension, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape heading into the clash at Camp Nou.

Iago Aspas should be back in the starting side after being named on the bench against Real Betis last time out, with Carles Perez likely to be the player to make way in terms of the starting XI.

Jorgen Strand Larsen should again feature in the final third of the field, with Goncalo Paciencia and Luca de la Torre expected to be on the bench for the visitors this weekend.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, E Garcia, Balde; Gavi, Busquets, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Marchesin; Mallo, Aidoo, Nunez, Galan; Beltran; Rodriguez, Veiga, Solari; Larsen, Aspas

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo

Barcelona will be fired up to return to winning ways following the disappointment of the result against Inter, and we are finding it difficult to predict anything other than a home success. Xavi's side have been excellent in the league this term and should have too much for their opponents in this contest.

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