Celta Vigo-Real Sociedad is a match valid for the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup and is played Tuesday at 9:30pm: free TV, lineups, predictions.
The King’s Cup immediately pits Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad against each other again, three days after the league match at the Balaidos ended 1-0 to the Basques. Rafa Benitez’s men did not need a performance of great sacrifice to snatch at least a point against what is, at the moment, the sixth force in La Liga.
In the lead after only eleven minutes thanks to a goal by Brais Mendez, Real Sociedad managed without major problems to maintain the result, rendering the Galician sorties harmless and closing every possible space with its impeccable organization of play. Defeat that put an end to Celta’s positive streak, which had been going on since last December 20: in this time frame Benitez’s team has made it through two rounds of the King’s Cup, beating Amorebieta and Valencia, got the better of Betis and drew with Mallorca. The signs of recovery are there but the standings remain precarious: the Galicians remain embroiled in the fight not to relegate, having only two points more than third-last Cadiz.
Immediate rematch
Fighting for different goals is Imanol Alguacil’s team, which is trying to re-enter the race for fourth place, now six points away.
It will not be easy, in short, to win Champions League qualification for the second year in a row, considering that this time the competition appears much tougher. The Basques are not the ones of a few months ago, but the victory in Vigo confirmed that the gray period – the one of three consecutive draws and the defeat in the derby with Athletic Bilbao – is now behind them. Now the King’s Cup, which as every year is among the Txuri-Urdin’s goals: already four rounds passed (Bunol, Andratx, Malaga and Osasuna). Unlike Benitez, Imanol could rotate several elements in the cup: Barrenetxea is absent, injured, while Traoré and Kubo are busy with their respective national teams between the African and Asian Cups.
The prediction
The feeling is that neither of them will snub the encounter: we expect a balanced match like the one three days ago, but this time both should score. Real Sociedad will most likely manage to avoid defeat.
The probable lineups of Celta Vigo-Real Sociedad
CELTA VIGO (4-2-3-1): Iván Villar; Mingueza, Starfelt, Unai Núñez, Ristic; Fran Beltrán, Tapia; Carles Pérez, Swedberg, De la Torre; Douvikas.
REAL SOCIEDAD (4-3-3): Remiro; Aritz, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Merino, Zubimendi, Zakharyan; Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Brais Méndez.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
