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

The Sky Blues are currently 10th in the table, now eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Almeria sit 19th, one point behind 17th-placed Espanyol heading into the next set of fixtures.

Match preview

Celta have finished eighth and 11th in their last two La Liga campaigns, and it would not be a surprise to see them end this season in a similar position, but they are dark horses for a potential European finish.

A total of 34 points fro 26 matches has left the Sky Blues in 10th position in the table, two points behind seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao and seven from Villarreal in sixth.

Celta are actually unbeaten in each of their last five league matches, while they have lost just once in Spain's top flight since January 20, making them one of the most in-form teams in the league in recent weeks.

Carlos Carvalhal's side have been victorious in three of their last four La Liga games, including their last two against Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol, scoring three times in each of those matches.

Celta have not beaten Almeria in La Liga since April 2014, though, losing two of their last three against La Union, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse game back in October.

While Celta now sit eight points clear of the relegation zone, Almeria are currently inside the bottom three, with a total of 26 points from 26 matches only good enough for 19th at this stage of the campaign.

UDA won the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to this level, but they are facing the serious possibility of dropping back down into the second tier for next term.

Almeria are only one point behind 17th-placed Espanyol, though, and sit just three points behind 13th-placed Getafe, so the picture could be very different by the end of the next set of fixtures.

Rubi's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw with Cadiz before the international break, which followed successive losses to Villarreal and Sevilla.

Almeria have the worst away record in Spain's top flight this season, picking up just three points from 12 matches, failing to win in the process, but Celta have dropped points in eight of their 13 league fixtures in front of their own supporters this term.

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

L

D

W

D

W

W

Almeria La Liga form:

L

L

W

L

L

D

Team News

Augusto Solari is a fresh injury concern for Celta, with the midfielder thought to be facing a few weeks out of action with a tendon issue, while Oscar Mingueza and Agustin Marchesin are still on the sidelines through injury.

Oscar Rodriguez is available once again, though, having served the suspension that ruled him out of the win over Espanyol last time out.

Celta boss Carvalhal could name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Espanyol, with Carles Perez and Lucas de la Torre featuring in the wide positions.

Gabri Veiga's future continues to be called into question, with the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal said to be keen on his signature, and the 20-year-old will again line up in the Celta midfield this weekend.

As for Almeria, Sergio Akieme and El Bilal Toure will miss out through injury, while Inigo Eguaras is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Cadiz last time out.

There will be a return for Sergio Akieme, though, with the defender available again after serving a one-game domestic suspension.

Luis Suarez will again lead the line with support from Adri Embarba and Leo Baptistao, while Eguaras's absence could open the door for Portillo to come into the XI.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Mallo, Aidoo, Nunez, Galan; Perez, Veiga, Beltran, De la Torre; Aspas, Seferovic

Almeria possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Akieme; De la Hoz, Robertone; Baptistao, Portillo, Embarba; Suarez

We say: Celta Vigo 1-0 Almeria

Almeria's away record this season is extremely poor, so it difficult to back them on their travels. Celta's recent form has been excellent, meanwhile, and we are expecting the Sky Blues to pick up another three points, but it might be tight in terms of the scoreline.

Previews by email