In this match everything may seem simple and one-sided. There are contenders for relegation and for a place in the TOP-4. However, Celta are undefeated in La Liga after the big break for the World Cup. Today the new coach of the heavenly Carlos Carvalhal will hope for a positive outcome for his club. In addition, Vigo has a debt to the fans, whom they let down in the Spanish Cup match, where the team unexpectedly lost in a duel with Espanyol. For 16 rounds of the current La Liga championship, the Blues have four wins and draws each, which correspond to 16 points and 16th position in the standings. Remarkably, the number 16 is found in the table of goals scored, which are the same number on the account of today’s hosts. Mallo, Solari, Veiga and de la Torre, who has a muscle injury, will not be able to help the team today.
After a spellbinding home win over Real Madrid last weekend, which new manager Quique Setien described as “an outstanding performance against an outstanding opponent”, Villarreal are once again within reach of the top four teams in La Liga. With this the first of four consecutive La Liga games against opponents from the bottom half, there is a great opportunity to build up strength ahead of the February meeting with Barcelona. Setien was sacked by Barca just weeks after a 2:2 draw against Celta Vigo in 2019/20, so he knows firsthand that this trip is not to be taken lightly, even with an 11-point gap between the two clubs . For 16 rounds of the current championship, the Valencians have eight victories and three peaceful outcomes, which corresponds to 27 points and the sixth position in the standings. The attack looks weak, which differed only 19 times. Pedraza, Lo Celso, Jackson and Capue, who has a muscle injury, are in the infirmary.
