Celta Vigo vs Sevilla Prediction & Tips
Celta Vigo are living a nightmare in their centenary season and go into the 12th round of LaLiga EA Sports (LL) in the relegation zone after suffering a painful 1-0 defeat to Girona at Montilivi, where there was no shortage of refereeing controversy. Rafa Benítez, one of the most successful Spanish coaches in history and who turned down numerous offers before signing on as coach of the Vigo club until 2026, is staying put for now, but is already being questioned by a large section of Celta fans.
Turning Celta into a very competitive team was and is Benítez’s goal, but the team from the Olivic city, whose last participation in European competition dates back to 2016-17, is not starting and continues to sink in its 12th consecutive season in the top flight. In the Celeste team there is indignation with the refereeing after several very controversial decisions against them, the most recent being the disallowing of a goal by Luca de la Torre in the 83rd minute against Girona -it was the fourth goal disallowed to Celta this season-, but the refereeing decisions cannot be used as an excuse to cover up a series of 18 matches without leaving a clean sheet in LL.
Sevilla FC ended October 2022 just one position (17th) above Celta’s current position. After another poor start to the season, the Nervión-based club decided to dispense with José Luis Mendilibar, the man who guided the team to relegation and another Europa League title last term. Diego Alonso made his debut as Blanquirrojo coach against Real Madrid and has failed to pick up more than a point in any of his three LL/Champions League games in charge of the Sevilla side (E2, P1), who drew 2-2 with Cadiz in their last league fixture.
In the derby with the Cadiz club, Sevilla drew 2-0 down for the second time in three LL matches. “We are not happy with the result,” said Alonso, who noted that his players did not come out with the necessary intensity. The Uruguayan coach and the Sevilla fans travelling to Vigo will be hoping his side can finally get their first away win in LL 2023-24 (E2, P2), but perhaps expectations should not be too high after their fruitless visits to other clubs in the bottom half of the table such as Alavés (ALA 4-3 SEV) and Cádiz.
Players to watch: To topple Sevilla for the first time in seven tries (E3, P3), Celta will need a solid performance from all its defenders, including Carl Starfelt. In none of the Swedish center-back’s ten games as a Celeste in LL has his team kept a clean sheet. Argentine winger Lucas Ocampos scored at the Nuevo Mirandilla last time out and is looking to score for the first time against Celta, whom he has faced on five occasions, all as a starter.
Key stat: In seven of the last eight meetings between Celta and Sevilla, both teams have scored.
Celta Vigo – Sevilla FREE TIPS
UNDER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
