Celta Vigo-Villarreal is a match from the 17th day of La Liga and is played on Friday at 21:00: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Villarreal’s victory over Real Madrid last Saturday surprised but only up to a point. Beyond the unexceptional moment that Carlo Ancelotti’s battleship is going through – which on Wednesday needed penalty kicks to defeat Valencia in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup – the great merits of the Yellow Submarine should not be belittled.
Who quickly metabolised the farewell of Unai Emery, who moved to Aston Villa during the current season, and immediately returned to have their say in the fight for qualification for the next Champions League. The experienced Quique Setien, who arrived amid general scepticism after his disappointing experience at Barcelona, took matters into his own hands and since last November’s success at home to Espanyol – the last match before the World Cup break – his team has not stopped since. Some indications had been given by the December friendlies, in which Villarreal had beaten opponents such as Napoli, Galatasaray and Aston Villa itself. Their excellent form was also confirmed in the first official matches: in addition to the predictable victories in the King’s Cup rounds against not irresistible teams such as Guijuelo and Cartagena, the yellows left no chance in the two home matches against Valencia – beaten 2-1 in the derby – and none other than Real, champions of Spain and Europe, who last weekend had to bow to Moreno and his companions (2-1) at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
The Submarine ’sees‘ the Champions League again
Now Villarreal are sixth but have the same points as Atletico Madrid and only one less than Betis, Setien’s former team, who are momentarily fourth.
Carvalhal
The chance to overtake the green-and-whites in the standings, who in the meantime are competing in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, comes in Vigo, against a Celta side that seem to be back on the right foot after the break. Under new coach, Portuguese Carlos Carvalhal, the Galicians have started to pick up points again: between Sevilla and Elche they have collected four, which is vital if they are to climb out of the relegation zone.
The Prediction
An away game to take with a pinch for Villarreal, who arrive in Galicia on the wings of enthusiasm thanks to the double success between Valencia and Real. But Celta Vigo have grown a lot, especially on a character level, under new technical guidance and could give Setien’s men a hard time, whose victory is not so obvious. We could see a more balanced match than expected, with both teams scoring.
Celta Vigo v Villarreal matchday squad
- CELTA VIGO (3-4-3): Marchesín; Mingueza, Aidoo, Unai Núñez; Hugo Mallo, Veiga, Fran Beltrán, Javi Galán; Iago Aspas, Cervi, Strand Larsen.
- VILLARREAL (4-3-3): Reina; Foyth, Mandi, Pau Torres, Alberto Moreno; Capoue, Parejo, Coquelín; Chukwueze, Pino, Gerard Moreno.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
