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

Celta have only picked up six points from their 11 La Liga matches this season to sit down in 18th position in the table, while Sevilla are 14th, boasting 10 points from their first 10 matches.

Match preview

Celta made an eye-catching managerial appointment over the summer, with Rafael Benitez arriving as head coach, but it has been a tough start to his tenure for the 63-year-old.

The Sky Blues have picked up only six points from their opening 11 matches of the 2023-24 La Liga campaign courtesy of a record of one win, three draws and seven defeats, which has left them in 18th position.

Celta did manage to progress to the second round of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening courtesy of a 4-0 success over Turegano, but they have not managed to triumph in the league since the start of September, recording a 3-2 win over Almeria away from home.

Benitez's team have lost five of their last seven in the league, including their last two against Atletico Madrid and Girona, and they have another tough game next Friday away to Athletic Bilbao.

Each of Celta's last three La Liga matches with Sevilla have finished level, but the Sky Blues have not managed to overcome Saturday's opponents in any competition since February 2020.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are also yet to get going in the league this season, picking up just 10 points from 10 matches, which has left them down in 14th position in the table.

Diego Alonso has now had four matches at the helm following his appointment as head coach on October 10, and he boasts a record of one win, two draws and one defeat.

Sevilla will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 victory over Quintanar in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, but they were held to a 2-2 draw by Cadiz in the league last weekend.

The Europa League holders have not actually been victorious in Spain's top flight since the end of September, while they have work to do in their Champions League section, sitting third in Group B, three points behind second-placed Lens after three matches.

Sevilla have a huge Champions League clash at Arsenal next week, but they cannot afford to take their focus off the league, and a positive result in this match would lead the team nicely into their European contest with the Gunners in North London.

Celta Vigo La Liga form:

L

D

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Celta Vigo form (all competitions):

D

L

D

L

L

W

Sevilla La Liga form:

D

W

L

D

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D

Sevilla form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

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W

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Team News

Celta will be without the services of two first-team players through injury, with Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic unavailable for selection this weekend.

Carles Perez scored twice off the bench against Turegano on his return from a fitness issue, though, and the attacker should now come in for a start in this match, while Ivan Villar is back from a suspension.

Iago Aspas is still waiting for his first goal of the campaign, but the 36-year-old is expected to retain his spot in the final third of the field alongside Jorgen Strand Larsen.

Sevilla, meanwhile, have concerns over the availability of four players, with Jesus Navas, Suso, Sergio Ramos and Alfonso Pastor all facing late fitness tests.

Marcao, though, is definitely out of the contest due to a thigh problem.

Head coach Alonso will make changes to the side that started in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, but Joan Jordan's performance in that match might mean that he keeps his spot here.

Youssef En-Nesyri was on the scoresheet in the same game and should lead the away side's line, while Lucas Ocampos and Dodi Lukebakio will also return in the final third of the field.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Vazquez, Starfelt, U Nunez, M Sanchez; De la Torre, Tapia, Dotor, Perez; Aspas, Larsen

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Nyland; Juanlu, Gudelj, Nianzou, Acuna; Rakitic, Soumare, Jordan; Ocampos, En-Nesyri, Lukebakio

We say: Celta Vigo 1-2 Sevilla

Sevilla have so much talent, and it would not be a surprise to see them find a run of wins in the not too distant future. Celta are really struggling, meanwhile, and we are therefore backing the visitors to secure an important three points on Saturday.

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