BARCELONA VS. CELTA VIGO: SPANISH LEAGUE | MATCH PREDICTION AND FANTASY FOOTBALL TIPS
In the penultimate game week of the season, Barcelona host Celta Vigo at Camp Nou in the Spanish League on Sunday evening.
The goalless draw with Atletico last weekend and the 3-3 draw against Levante in midweek, a match in which they led 2-0 at half-time, have pretty much ended the title chances for Barcelona. The players are still getting used to the ways of Ronald Koeman. The result of this has been a lot of confusion, too much space and the opposition taking advantage. The midweek result saw Barcelona 4 points behind leaders Atletico Madrid and 2 points behind Real Madrid. With only two games left, Barcelona will look to win them both and hope for other results to go their way.
Celta Vigo have been one of the most entertaining sides since mid-November when they appointed Eduardo Coudet. They have now won 4 successive matches as they look to cement themselves in the top half of the league table. Celta registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over Getafe in midweek, with striker Nolito scoring the only goal. The team is currently 8th in the points table.
In the last 37 head-to-head fixtures between the two teams, the Catalans have dominated, having won 17 matches as opposed to Celta's 9 victories. 11 games between them have ended in draws. The last five meetings have seen Barcelona dominate the rivalry, winning 3 matches, drawing 1, and losing 1.
The previous meeting between the two teams in October last year ended in a comfortable 3-0 away victory for Barcelona. Ansu Fati and Sergi Roberto scored for Barcelona, with an own goal from Celta’s Olaza.
Rivalry Facts
- Celta de Vigo have won their last 4 games in the league and can equal their best winning in the competition, achieved in April 2001 (5).
- Celta de Vigo have earned points in 7 of their last 13 league games against Barcelona, winning 4 of them (D3, L6). Only Real Madrid (5) have managed more wins against them in the competition since 2014/15.
- Barcelona have scored in 50 of their last 51 home games against Celta de Vigo (143 goals in total), failing to score in their only defeat during this period (0-1 in November 2014).
- After 13 wins in 14 games between January and April this year (D1), Barcelona have only won 3 of their last 7 league games (D2, L2), drawing each of the last two. Barcelona last drew 3 straight La Liga games in December 2016.
- Antoine Griezmann has been involved in 13 goals in his 17 games against Celta de Vigo in the league (8 goals and 5 assists), though none have come while at Barcelona.
Match Details
- Match: Barcelona vs Celta Vigo
- Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Date & Time: May 16 2021, at 10 PM IST
Team News
Barcelona
- Injured: Philippe Coutinho, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto
- Unavailable: None
- Suspended: Frenkie de Jong
Celta Vigo
- Injured: Sergio Alvarez, Ruben Blanco, Renato Tapia, Emre Mor, Jeison Murillo
- Unavailable: Jose Fontán
- Suspended: Facundo Ferreyra and Nestor Araujo
Predicted Starting XI
Barcelona (3-4-3)
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (GK); Ronald Araujo, Gerard Pique, Clement Lenglet; Sergino Dest, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Pedri; Antoine Griezmann, Lionel Messi, Ousmane Dembele
Celta Vigo (4-1-3-2)
Ivan Villar (GK); Hugo Mallo, Aaron Martin, Néstor Araujo, Joseph Aidoo; Fran Beltran; Denis Suarez, Nolito, Brais Mendez; Santi Mina, Iago Aspas
- Barcelona form guide: D-D-W-L-W
- Celta Vigo form guide: W-W-W-W-L
Match Prediction
Barcelona have been inconsistent in recent matches and will need to be at their best this weekend. They have a stronger and more experienced squad on paper and will look to dominate the visitors on counterattacks.
Given Celta's recent form, this could be a potentially difficult match for Barca, who had their defensive issues against Levante. Expect a tight game on Sunday evening but fancy the Catalans to return to winning ways, with Messi potentially scoring the decisive goal.
Howzat Dream Team
- Goalkeeper: M ter Stegen
- Defenders: C Lenglet, G Pique, J Alba, H Mallo
- Midfielders: O Dembele, F Beltran, Nolito, B Mendez
- Forwards: L Messi, I Aspas
- Captain: L Messi/O Dembele
- Vice Captain: B Mendez/Nolito
NOTE: The Howzat dream team above is just a suggestion. You can select your own fantasy football team by using your knowledge and fantasy premier league tips. Also, don’t forget to make any necessary changes to your team once the actual starting 11 is announced by each team (60 minutes before the start of the match) as some players you have selected might not be part of the fantasy 11.
Select your own team and play fantasy football on your favorite fantasy football app, Howzat!
