Preview: Huesca vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

Sunday's La Liga action kicks off with Celta Vigo's visit to El Alcoraz for their clash with bottom-of-the-league Huesca.

Huesca have failed to beat Celta in their past three La Liga encounters. However, three points on Sunday could see Pacheta's side haul themselves out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.

Match preview

As long-term tenants of La Liga's relegation zone, Huesca have had a rough time of it this season. Yet, the light at the end of the tunnel appears to be edging closer as the campaign begins to draw to a close.

New boss Pacheta has got the team performing again and the improvement can be seen in different areas of the pitch.

Under Pacheta, Huesca have picked up eight out of a possible 21 points in La Liga, that is as many as they had collected in their last 13 games under Michel.

Against Eibar in the league last time out, Pacheta's men were held to a lacklustre 1-1 draw, with their relegation rivals cancelling out Sandro Ramirez's late strike with an 83rd-minute equaliser courtesy of Papakouli Diop.

Acknowledging that Eibar were the superior side on the day, Pacheta told the press after the game: "We leave with a point and I think it is more than a point."

© Reuters

After a wildly successful festive period that saw Celta win four league games on the bounce, Eduardo Coudet's men appear to have settled for mid-season mediocrity as they head into the final third of the season.

Coudet's side have won just one of their last nine league outings and have rarely looked up for the fight in recent weeks.

Against relegation candidates Real Valladolid last time out, 11th-placed Celta were lucky to come away with a point, with Jeison Murillo saving Coudet's blushes with an injury-time equaliser.

While Celta have plenty of attacking talent to choose from, Coudet will need to address his side's defensive frailties if they are to beat Huesca this weekend.

Celta have conceded the fifth-most goals this season and have picked up just five clean sheets.

Team News

© Reuters

The big absentee for Pacheta is midfielder Pedro Mosquera who is unavailable for this tie due to a thigh injury.

Other absentees for Huesca include Luisinho, Gaston Silva and Antonio Valera.

For Celta, Nolito will be the man most missed this weekend as he will serve his suspension. The 34-year-old currently has three goals and four assists to his name.

Other notable absentees for Celta include Nestor Araujo, Emre Mor, David Junca and Sergio Alvarez.

Huesca possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Pulido, Siovas, Insua; Maffeo, Doumbia, Seoane, Galan; Ferreiro, Mir, Escriche

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Blanco; Mallo, Aidoo, Murillo, Caricol; Tapia, Solari, Suarez, Mendez; Aspas, Mina

We say: Huesca 1-0 Celta Vigo

Huesca have spent a long old time in the bowels of La Liga, and we think an unremarkable win on Sunday will see them finally claw their way out of the bottom three.