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

Real Valladolid travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday as they look to lift themselves out of the bottom three of the La Liga table.

The visitors will be on the hunt for a first league win in eight games, while Celta Vigo will be looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing loss to Valencia last time out.

Match preview

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Celta Vigo looked set to play out a goalless draw away at Valencia last time out until Manu Vallejo popped up with a goal in the 94th minute for the hosts, followed by a Kevin Gameiro finish in the 98th minute, to cruelly snatch away all three points.

That came after Celta Vigo's goalkeeper Ruben Blanco was sent off on the hour mark, as he charged out of his box to take out the Valencia attacker, forcing his side to fight an uphill battle as they looked to preserve a point.

Before that disappointing defeat, Eduardo Coudet 's side comfortably beat strugglers Elche 3-1, thanks to a Santi Mina brace and a Brais Mendez goal on the stroke of half time.

Los Celestes now sit in 11th spot in the top flight, a notable improvement on last season when they finished in 17th, just one point above the relegation zone.

Coudet will be hoping to continue that improvement in this game, as a win could move his side into the division's top half.

That will be a tough task though, as they take on a Valladolid side who are desperate for a win in order to boost their chances of survival.

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Sergio Gonzalez 's side come into this game with some very concerning form, having failed to pick up a victory from their last seven league games.

Last time out, they fell to a narrow 1-0 home defeat at the hands of defending champions Real Madrid, when Casemiro netted the only goal of the game after 65 minutes to seal all three points for Los Blancos, handing Valladolid their 11th league loss of the campaign.

That meant that Gonzalez's men have picked up just one point from their last four La Liga outings, having drawn 1-1 with Eibar earlier in February.

However, they do sit level on points with Eibar, who occupy 17th spot which guarantees safety, meaning a win in this game could see them jump out of the relegation zone and take a big step towards survival.

Celta Vigo La Liga form: LDDDWL

Real Valladolid La Liga form: DDLLDL

Real Valladolid form (all competitions): DLLLDL

Team News

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Celta Vigo should have no injury worries for this game, other than goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez, who has been out for almost a year with a torn meniscus, and David Junca, who is yet to make an appearance so far this campaign and is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.

However, they will be without Ruben Blanco in goal after he was shown red card in the loss to Valencia.

In his absence, Ivan Villar will start for Coudet's side, having come on for the final 30 minutes last time out.

Experienced winger Nolito will also be out of contention here after he was shown his fifth yellow card of the season in that defeat.

They will be boosted by the return of Iago Aspas though, after he served a suspension last time out, having registered nine goals and six assists in league action this season.

Valladolid will be without important winger Pablo Hervias, who remains out with an injury.

He is joined on the sidelines by forward Marcos Andre and defender Raul Garcia, with the pair both out injured.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Mallo, Araujo, Murillo, Caricol; Solari, Beltran, Tapia, Suarez; Mina, Aspas

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Perez, Bruno, Fernandez, Nacho; Alcaraz, Mesa; Janko, Perez, Orellana; Guardiola

We say: Celta Vigo 2-0 Real Valladolid

While the visitors will come into this game desperate for a win, we see Celta Vigo having too much for them, and predict a fairly comfortable away victory for Eduardo Coudet's men.

Top tip

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