Barcelona and Celta Vigo meet this Saturday in La Liga. The Catalans are in fine form after recording back-to-back 5-0 wins at home over the past week and they’re back at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this weekend to take on Rafa Benitez’s side. It’s an 18:30 kick-off local time, 17:30 in the UK.
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Barcelona vs Celta Vigo H2H Record
There have been 122 meetings between these clubs.
- Barcelona Wins: 67
- Draws: 30
- Celta Vigo Wins: 25
This fixture dates back to the 1939/40 season, Celta’s first in the top flight in Spain. The Galicians have a more respectable record than many Spanish clubs have against Barcelona with 25 victories in total.
They’ve won 3 of the last 9 meetings overall and that includes a win at Camp Nou two years ago when Santi Mina bagged both goals in a 2-1 win. There are usually goals in this fixture with 7 of the last 8 league meetings producing 3 or more.
Last time out…
These sides last met on the final day of last season. It was a massive game for Celta who needed to win to guarantee safety and they did just that with Gabri Veiga the hero in a 2-1 win.
The goalscorers that day have both since left their respective clubs. Veiga’s brace was his last major act for the Galicians before his move to Saudi side Al-Ahli. Meanwhile, recent Brighton signing Ansu Fati grabbed a late consolation for Barca.
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo H2H: Potential MVP
With European action in midweek and a trip to Mallorca in La Liga coming up this Tuesday, Barcelona are expected to rotate their team. That could potentially see Joao Felix drop out despite his fine performance in Europe with Lamine Yamal likely to return.
One man who may keep his place is Joao Cancelo though. It’s no coincidence that Barcelona have rattled in 10 goals in the 2 games he has started and the Portuguese international already looks like the long sought after solution to their right-back problem.
🔵🔴 João Cancelo: “My family knows that my dream club was always Barça. It was a risk to keep pushing for this move, for sure… but I only wanted FCB”, told MD.
“My life is always about risk, but I’ll be thankful with Man City. Always”.
“When Barça calls you, you have to go”. pic.twitter.com/sBbCH3gyrO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 21, 2023
Cancelo joined the club from Manchester City at the end of the transfer window and has offered some much needed dynamism and attacking threat on the right flank. That has helped increase the supply line to striker Robert Lewandowski.
The full back made 3 starts against Celta Vigo in La Liga as a Valencia player earlier on in his career and was part of a Valencia side that won 5-1 at Balaidos in the 2015/16 season.
Barcelona: Players in focus
Lamine Yamal to return?
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has been rested for the last two games but could return to the starting eleven on Saturday.
Red hot Robert Lewandowski
With a bit more creativity in the team, Robert Lewandowski is enjoying life and has bagged 6 goals in his last 6 games for club and country.
Ferran to seize his chance?
Ferran Torres faces a battle to prove Xavi that he still has a major role to play given the competition, but could rotate in here.
Celta Vigo: Players in focus
Aspas to haunt Barca again?
Celta forward Iago Aspas has an impressive record against Barcelona with 10 goals in 17 La Liga appearances against the Catalans.
Mingueza returns to Barcelona
Oscar Mingueza struggled to make an impression at Camp Nou and returns to face his old club after his €3m move in 2022.
More to come from Bamba
Jonathan Bamba was a marquee summer signing for Celta from Lille but he’s yet to score or assist despite playing every minute in La Liga so far.
Final Prediction
Barcelona come into this game on the back of two of their best performances since Xavi took over with thumping 5-0 wins over Real Betis and Antwerp. They should be too hot for Celta to handle here and a comfortable home win looks likely again to pile the pressure on Rafa Benitez.
We’re saying 3-0 to Barcelona with Robert Lewandowski to score the first goal.
