CELTA VIGO – Struggle for stability in the middle of the table
Celta Vigo ended 2024 with a 2:0 win over Real Sociedad, but the start of 2025 was not at all happy for Claudio Giraldez’s team. In four league matches since the beginning of the year, they won only one point, and in the last round they were defeated by Valencia with a score of 2:1.
They are currently in 13th position in La Liga with 25 points won from 22 games (7 wins, 4 draws, 11 losses). Their advantage in relation to the danger zone is not too big, but on the other hand, the gap to the first half of the table is only four points.
What characterizes them this season is a solid performance at home – they won 20 points in 11 matches, while they won only five points from the same number of matches on the road. This big difference in performance at home and away clearly shows that they are much more confident in front of their fans.
Celta have scored 31 goals in 22 games this season, which is a very good performance, as they only conceded six goals less than second-placed Atletico Madrid. However, their defense is a problem – they have conceded 35 goals, which makes them the fourth worst defensive team in the league.
For this match, the return of Oscar Mingueza, Hugo Alvarez and Marcos Alonso after suspensions will be important for them, but they will not be able to count on Carl Starfelt, who is suspended. Also, injuries have weakened the team, as Franco Cervi, Unai Nunez, Iago Aspas and Miguel Rodriguez are out of the lineup.
In attack, the main threat will be Borja Iglesias, while the young Pablo Duran is expected to make a difference on the right side. The return of Alvarez will allow him to take a place on the left flank, while Eli Moriba and Fran Beltran will play an important role in the middle of the field.
REAL BETIS – In the race for European positions
Betis are currently 10th in the table with 29 points (7 wins, 8 draws, 7 losses), which means they are just three points clear of sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who hold the last place leading into European competitions.
Their season is of a changing character, but in the last two rounds they managed to win four points – they beat Majorca away with 1:0, and then drew with Athletic Bilbao 2:2. Against Atlético, they took the lead twice, but failed to keep the lead, which clearly shows that they still have problems with defensive discipline.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are generally better at home than away – they have lost just two of their 11 home matches, but have been beaten five times away from home, suggesting instability when away from Sevilla.
Betis have shown solid efficiency this season, but they are still far from the form that saw them finish seventh last year. Their greatest strength lies in creative midfielders like Isco, while new reinforcements like Antonio, who is on loan from Manchester United, will play a big role in this match.
They will be without several key players in this match – Pablo Fornals, Ezequiel Avila, Hector Bellerin, Aitor Ruibal, Youssouf Sabaly and William Carvalho are injured.
Celta’s biggest goal threat will be Cedric Bakambu, while Isco and Giovani Lo Celso should take control in midfield. With Antonio on the right, Betis have enough quality to threaten the home defense.
BETTING SUGGESTIONS
✅ Both teams score a goal – Celta has problems with the defense, but also a very good attack, while Betis regularly scores goals.
✅ More than 2.5 goals in the match – An open game with many opportunities is expected, and both teams have good offensive options.
✅ Borja Iglesias scores – The Celta forward will be key in the attack and could take advantage of the visitors’ poor defense.
✅ Isco assist or goal – His creativity is one of the main assets of Betis, and against Celta’s weaker defense he can come to the fore.
✅ Celta win or draw (1X) – Celta plays great at home, while Betis has a poor performance away from home, giving the home team a slight advantage.
