Vigo, Spain – The highly anticipated La Liga match between struggling Celta Vigo and league leaders Girona is set for Sunday 28th January at Estadio de Balaídos. With Celta desperate for points to avoid relegation and Girona looking to hold on to top spot, an intriguing contest awaits. Let’s take a look at some key predictions.
The Home Struggles of Celta Vigo
Currently 16th in the table and just one point above the drop zone, Celta have found wins hard to come by at home this season. In their last five league games in Vigo, they have lost three and drawn two. With only 10 goals scored in front of their own fans, finding the back of the net has been a real issue.
Their opponents on Sunday, Girona, have the best away record in La Liga this campaign. The Catalan club have won six of their nine games on the road, scoring 18 goals in the process. So another defeat for Celta looks likely given their home woes.
Girona’s Irresistible Attack to Strike Early
Girona’s attack has been simply breathtaking at times this season. With 30 goals in 19 matches, they have the most potent strike force in the division. Leading the charge is veteran Uruguayan Cristhian Stuani with eight goals. But the real revelation has been Latvian Artem Dovbyk with 11 goals since his summer move.
With question marks over the Celta back line and the shaken confidence of keeper Agustín Marchesín, Girona will likely take an early lead. Dovbyk and Stuani have scored eight goals between them in the first half hour of games this season. Expect them to cause havoc from the first whistle on Sunday.
Celta Short of Firepower Without Aspas
Veteran Celta forward Iago Aspas has been ruled out of the game with a minor thigh injury. This is a huge blow for the Galician club as Aspas has five of their last seven league goals. Without him leading the line, the Celta attack has looked toothless and short of ideas.
Youngster Gabriel Veiga is likely to be given a chance but has failed to score in eight league appearances so far. Unless Celta can find a new source of goals, a Girona clean sheet looks a good bet. The Catalans have kept eight this season, with only Barcelona conceding fewer.
Girona’s Strength in Depth to Prove Decisive
One of Girona’s biggest assets this season has been their squad depth. Coach Michel has used 25 different players in league games – more than any other La Liga side. This has allowed him to regularly rotate and keep players fresh.
Sunday’s game comes at the end of a busy period with trips to Mallorca and Celta inside a week. So expect Michel to shuffle his pack with key men like Herrera and Riquelme potentialy dropping to the bench. But such is the strength in depth that replacements can come in without reducing quality. This extra energy and legs later in matches has helped Girona grind out results.
Celta’s Bleak Record Against The Top Sides
Against La Liga’s current top six of Girona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Atletico, Villarreal and Real Betis, Celta have lost every single game this season. They have shipped 19 goals in the process and scored just four times.
With Girona coming to town atop the table, the stats suggest more misery for Celta. When push comes to shove against the league’s elite sides, the Galicians have been found wanting time and again. So a comfortable away win looks the safe prediction.