La Liga | Gameweek 17

Dec 14, 2024 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan

Sevillavs.Celta Vigo

Match preview

Sevilla were involved in a seven-goal thriller against Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday, leading 3-1 in the second period before conceding three goals in the final 30 minutes to lose 4-3.

It was their seventh league defeat of the season and left them 13th in the standings on 19 points, two behind their opponents at the Estadio Ramon on Saturday night.

Sevilla finished 14th in La Liga last season, their worst top-flight finish since they were relegated at the end of the 1999-2000 season, so there is plenty of room for improvement in 2024-25.

Garcia Pimienta's side have taken 13 points from their eight home league games this season, winning four of them, and they will welcome a Celta side who have only managed one away win this term.

Sevilla have not beaten Celta in La Liga since October 2021, and although the Sky Blues won 2-1 at the Estadio Ramon last season, four of their last five top-flight meetings have ended in draws.

Celta come into the game on the back of a 2-0 home win over Mallorca in La Liga, a result that followed a 7-0 thrashing of Salamanca UDS in the Copa del Rey earlier this month.

Claudio Giraldez's side have six wins, three draws and seven defeats from their 16 league games this season, and they sit 10th in the standings with 21 points, just five behind fifth-placed Villarreal.

Celta have been a handful in La Liga this term, scoring 25 times but conceding 27, with their defensive record the third-worst in the division behind Real Valladolid (34) and Espanyol (28).

The Sky Blues finished 13th in La Liga last season, but have shown enough this term to suggest they can break into the top half, something they last did in 2020-21, when they finished eighth.

Celta are unbeaten at the Estadio Ramon in La Liga since November 2020 and, as mentioned, won 2-1 when the two sides met in 2023-24.

Recent Performance

Sevilla La liga form:LLWDL

Celta Vigo La liga form:WDDLW

Team News

Sevilla will be without four players through injury on Saturday, with Adria Pedrosa, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Tanguy Nianzou and Chidera Ejuke all ruled out.

However, the hosts did not pick up any new problems against Atletico, and it could be the same side that takes the kick-off, with Peque Fernandez likely to retain his place in the front three.

Juanlu Sanchez got on the scoresheet for Madrid from a midfield position, and the Spaniard is expected to continue in the side, while Isaac Romero will once again lead the line for Garcia Pimienta's side.

Celta will be without Fer Lopez, Javi Manquillo and Jailson through injury, while Damian Rodriguez, Sergio Carreira and Joseph Aidoo are also likely to miss out.

Iago Aspas came off the bench against Mallorca before coming on in the second half, and the experienced attacker should return in place of the injured Fer Lopez.

Borja Iglesias is expected to continue in the middle of the park for the Sky Blues, while Williot Swedberg is also likely to start, but Luca de la Torre will be in Giraldez's thoughts when it comes to possible changes for this game.

Possible starting lineup

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

A Fernandez; Carmona, Bade, Gudelj, Salas; J Sanchez, Agoume, Sow; Lukebakio, Romero, P Fernandez

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez; Aspas, Iglesias, Swedberg