MX23RW : Friday, December 25 09:50:40| >> :600:122279:122279:
Nov 29, 2020 at 5.30pm UK at Balaídos
Celta VigoCelta Vigo
3-1
GranadaGranada
Nolito (27'), Baeza (81'), Beltran (85')
Murillo (21'), Tapia (45+1'), Olaza (90+2'), Mallo (90+6')
Yokuslu (90+8')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Suarez (25')
Foulquier (53'), Martinez (73'), Puertas (90+2'), Soldado (90+5')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's La Liga clash between Celta Vigo and Granada, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Celta Vigo will be looking to move off the bottom of the La Liga table when they welcome high-flying Granada to the Balaidos on Sunday.

A disappointing start to the season has left Celta in 20th spot on seven points, but Granada have impressed in their opening nine matches, picking up 14 points to occupy sixth position in the table.


Match preview

Celta Vigo players celebrate Iago Aspas's late goal against Barcelona on June 27, 2020© Reuters

Celta are currently playing in their ninth straight season at this level of football, and they actually finished ninth, eighth and sixth respectively in Spain's top flight between 2013 and 2016.

The team's last two campaigns have been a struggle, though, finishing 17th on both occasions, only avoiding relegation to the second tier by a single point last season.

In Iago Aspas, Celta still have a player full of goals, with the Spaniard managing five in the league this term, but a disappointing return of seven points from 10 matches has left them rooted to the foot of the table.

Celta, who suffered a 4-2 defeat at Sevilla last time out, are only two points from the safety of 17th position, but the fact that they have only managed one La Liga win this season will be a concern, even with a lot of football still to play in the coming months.

Granada manager Diego Martinez pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Granada will also enter the match off the back of a disappointing result, having suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Real Valladolid last weekend, which followed a 2-0 loss at Real Sociedad before the international break.

Diego Martinez's side were victorious in the Europa League on Thursday night, though, recording a 2-1 victory over Omonia Nicosia to leave themselves in a strong position to reach the round of 32.

Granada's last two league results have been disappointing, but it has still been a strong start to the season for El Grana, who are sixth in the table with 14 points to show from their nine matches.

Martinez's team are only three points behind fourth-placed Real Madrid and will fancy their chances of triumphing this weekend against a struggling Celta outfit.

Granada recorded a 2-0 victory in the corresponding game during the 2019-20 campaign, but they have actually lost four of their last six games with Celta in Spain's top flight.

Celta Vigo La Liga form: LLDLDL

Granada La Liga form: DWWDLL
Granada form (all competitions): DDWLLW


Team News

Granada's Yangel Herrera celebrates after scoring against Omonia in the Europa League on November 5, 2020© Reuters

Celta will be without the services of Joseph Aidoo, Sergio Alvarez and Emre Mor through injury this weekend, while Kevin Vazquez could again miss out due to a calf problem.

Aidoo's absence is expected to open the door for Nestor Araujo to start in the middle of the defence, but Eduardo Coudet is expected to stick with the majority of the XI that started against Sevilla last weekend.

Aspas is certain to feature in the final third of the field, while Nolito, Denis Suarez and Santi Mina could all be included as the home side go in search of what would be a hugely important win.

As for Granada, Angel Montoro, Kenedy, Victor Diaz, Quini and Neyder Lozano remain on the sidelines, while Ramon Azeez is still a doubt due to a thigh issue.

Martinez is expected to make changes from Thursday's Europa League clash, with Darwin Machis, Antonio Puertas and Jorge Molina all in line for starts in attacking positions.

The visitors are unlikely to change their midfield, though, with Luis Milla again expected to line up alongside Yangel Herrera and Maxime Gonalons in the middle of the park.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Blanco; Mallo, Araujo, Murillo, Olaza; Suarez, Tapia, Mendez; Nolito; Mina, Aspas

Granada possible starting lineup:
Silva; Foulquier, Sanchez, Duarte, Neva; Herrera, Gonalons, Milla; Puertas, Molina, Machis


SM words green background

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Granada

Celta will certainly be the fresher of the two teams, while there were some positives in their defeat at Sevilla last weekend. Granada will be desperate to recover from back-to-back defeats, though, and we are struggling to separate the two teams here, ultimately backing a low-scoring draw.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


ID:424016:cQx

How you voted: Celta Vigo vs Granada

Celta Vigo
41.1%
Draw
32.3%
Granada
26.6%
248
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico1310212652132
2Real Madrid15102327141332
3Real Sociedad1675425121326
4Villarreal156812014626
5Barcelona1473428141424
6Sevilla137241510523
7Granada146351722-521
8Celta Vigo155552021-120
9Real Betis156181626-1019
10Athletic Bilbao155371818018
11CadizCadiz155371120-918
12Getafe144551215-317
13AlavesAlaves154561317-417
14ElcheElche133641216-415
15Valencia153662122-115
16EibarEibar153661115-415
17Levante143651618-215
18Real Valladolid153571524-914
19Huesca151951323-1012
20Osasuna143381323-1012

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