Celta Vigo will be hoping to build on a strong win in Europe when they welcome Alaves to the Estadio de Balaidos in LaLiga on Sunday afternoon.
Indeed, the hosts recorded an impressive 2-0 victory away in Lyon in the Europa League, winning the last-16 tie 3-1 on aggregate.
Alaves also had an impressive result last time out, holding Champions League chasers Villarreal to a 1-1 draw on home soil, but going away to Celta could prove to be a tougher test.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our free expert LaLiga predictions!
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Celta Vigo vs Alaves key stats
- Celta have lost just once in nine games in all competitions (W5, D3).
- Alaves are winless in seven matches across all competitions (D3, L4).
- Celta have also lost just once in the last 10 H2Hs (W7, D2).
Celta Vigo vs Alaves preview: Celta to claim all three points?
| Celta Vigo | vs | Alaves |
|---|---|---|
| 6th | Position | 17th |
| 41 | Points | 28 |
| 38 | Goals For | 26 |
| 31 | Goals Against | 38 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 17th | Home Rank | 14th |
| 3rd | Away Rank | 17th |
Celta had a slow start to the season, failing to win any of their first eight games in all competitions (D5, L3).
Then, their form started to pick up in October, and they have not really looked back since.
Not only are they in the Europa League quarter-finals, but they are also on course to qualify for Europe again via the league.
Celta have won six of their last nine home games (D1, L2).
Celta are currently just three points behind fifth-placed Real Betis, and given Spain's strong coefficient this season, finishing in the top five could be enough to qualify for the Champions League, which would be a dream.
Alaves are far behind them in terms of the league, and are currently lurking just outside of the relegation zone.
Inconsistency has cost them all season, and a poor recent string of results has seen them slip further down the table.
Alaves have not kept a clean sheet in 12 away league matches.
The visitors can at least concentrate on staying up though, having been knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Real Sociedad in February.
It will be a tall task against a buoyant Celta though, especially away from home.
Celta Vigo vs Alaves form guide & betting tips
| Celta Vigo | vs | Alaves |
|---|---|---|
| D-W-L-W-W | League Form | D-D-L-L-D |
| 8 | Points | 3 |
| 8th | Form Table | 19th |
| 8 | Goals For | 6 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 9 |
| W-L-D-D-W | Form (all comps) | D-D-L-L-D |
Whispers predicts: Celta Vigo 2-0 Alaves
Celta have been installed as the favourites with bookmakers to emerge victorious, and we feel inclined to back them here given their superior form and home advantage.
Therefore, Celta Vigo to win to nil at 19/10 with AK Bets seems a no-brainer in terms of our first bet, with Alaves struggling defensively and in front of goal.
We are not anticipating too many goals though, as Celta's last three matches have seen two or fewer goals scored.
Under 2.5 goals at 8/13 with bet365 is therefore also a bet that we would expect to come through.
A repeat of Celta's scoreline against Lyon in midweek is also worth exploring in our eyes, with a Correct score - 2-0 at 15/2 with Sporting Index a worthy outside punt.
> Under 2.5 goals at 8/13 | Likelihood: Probable
> Celta Vigo to win to nil at 19/10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score - 2-0 at 15/2 | Likelihood: Outsider