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

This weekend sees a mid-table La Liga clash as Valencia host Eduardo Coudet's Celta Vigo at Mestalla on Saturday.

Three points for 14th-placed Los Che could see Javi Gracia's men haul themselves into 12th place, while a win for Celta could put them within touching distance of the league's Europa League spots.

Match preview

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There are no two ways about it, this has been a disappointing campaign for Valencia.

After starting the season brightly, the last few months have been gruelling for Gracia's men, and Los Che fans have not been happy with recent results.

Against champions Real Madrid last time out, Valencia were comfortably dispatched 2-0 in the capital. The loss means that Los Che have picked up eight points from their last six league outings.

After the defeat, Gracia told the press: "Part of it is down to the superiority of our opponent, who did not need to be at their best, and part of it is also down to us because we were not at the level we should have been."

Gracia will no doubt look for a quick response from his side this weekend.

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Celta Vigo have blown hot and cold this season, balancing periods of fleeting success with lengthy winless streaks.

Recent results indicate that Coudet's men are beginning to put together another impressive run of form. Star striker Iago Aspas has been working his way back into the starting XI and Celta have not lost a La Liga game for almost a month.

However, Aspas, who has netted five goals in his last six league appearances for Celta against Los Che, is suspended for this fixture.

In what has been a peculiar campaign for many La Liga outfits, it would be a huge success for Coudet if the Galician outfit were to qualify for the Europa League next season.

Valencia La Liga form: WDLWDL
Valencia form (all competitions): DLLWDL

Celta Vigo La Liga form: LLDDDW

Team News

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Gracia will have a largely fit squad to choose from on Saturday, but the Spaniard will be without several first-team players.

Mouctar Diakhaby and Denis Cheryshev are both unavailable due to minor injuries.

Along with Aspas, Brais Mendez is also suspended for Celta.

Coudet will also be without Emre Mor, David Junca and Sergio Alvarez who are all unavailable due to injury.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Domenech; Correia, Gabriel, Ferreira, Gaya; Wass, Racic, Soler, Guedes; Gomez, Vallejo

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Blanco; Mallo, Araujo, Murillo, Caricol; Tapia, Baeza, Suarez, Nolito; Milla, Mina

We say: Valencia 2-2 Celta Vigo

This is not exactly a game between La Liga's finest forces, but it does have the potential to be a bit of a fascinating matchup. We are expecting fireworks but no decisive action.