Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Saturday afternoon, Barcelona will welcome Celta Vigo to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have eventually fallen to a 3-1 loss away at Borussia Dortmund in midweek, the Spanish giants did punch their Champions League semi-final spot and avoid what would have been a major European collapse. Embarking on what has been a sensational rise since Hansi Flick’s arrival in Catalonia last summer, the former Bayern Munich boss has seen his squad gain a string of plaudits. Turning their attention back to La Liga action holding a four-point buffer at the top of the table, Barca will be looking to take another giant leap towards a 28th domestic crown. Yet to suffer a single La Liga defeat so far this calendar year, Saturday’s hosts will be hoping to lay down another title marker this weekend.
Barcelona Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Barcelona have already confirmed that German goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will miss the remainder of the season. Likewise, suffering a hamstring injury against Leganes last weekend, academy graduate Alejandro Balde will not feature on Saturday afternoon.
Making a cameo appearance off the bench away at Borussia Dortmund in midweek, Spanish international Dani Olmo should get some more minutes under his belt. Bagging 25 La Liga strikes this season and leading the Golden Boot chase, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line here.
Celta Vigo
As for the visitors, while Celta Vigo might have been frustrated last weekend as they eventually fell to a shock 2-0 loss at home against Espanyol, Celta Vigo have underlined their status as one of Spain’s ultimate surprise packages this season. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their previous nine La Liga appearances, Claudio Giraldez’s men have their sights firmly set on booking a famous European return. Heading into March’s international break with a 1-0 victory away at Real Valladolid, Saturday’s guests will also be excited by their rugged success on the road. Including consecutive La Liga wins away from the Balaidos, Celta Vigo have suffered just a sole top-flight defeat outside of Galicia since the start of January. However, it should be noted that Giraldez’s camp have claimed just a single victory in Catalonia over the past 11 years.
Celta Vigo Team News
Limping off against Espanyol last week with a suspected thigh injury, Celta Vigo are expected to be without Swedish international Carl Starfelt on Saturday afternoon. However, returning from a minor knock since returning from March’s international break, 21-year-old Williot Swedberg should get some more minutes under his belt.
While attacking talisman Iago Aspas might have failed to find the net in his previous six La Liga appearances, the one-time Liverpool misfit will play a leading role in the final third. Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita will start between the sticks in Catalonia.
Key Factors to Consider
When Barcelona and Celta Vigo met for their reverse La Liga meeting on November 23rd, Saturday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at Balaidos.
Barca have suffered just a single defeat against Celta Vigo in Catalonia over the past 11 years.
In fact, Barcelona have won six of their previous seven home fixtures against Saturday’s guests.
Celta’s 2-0 loss against Espanyol last week was their first defeat from their previous nine La Liga appearances.
Barcelona have not suffered a single domestic defeat so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Eventually falling to that 3-1 loss away in Germany on Tuesday night, Barcelona will be seeking an immediate response here. Still holding a four-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table and looking to take another giant leap towards this season’s title, Flick’s camp should be excited by a return to Catalonia this weekend. Yet to suffer a single domestic defeat so far this calendar year, Barca also hold a dominant record against Saturday’s guests. Winning six of their last seven showdowns against Celta Vigo in Catalonia, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
