La Liga | Gameweek 18

Dec 21, 2024 at 3.15pm UK

Estadio de Balaidos

Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad

Match preview

Celta have been an entertaining team to watch in La Liga this season, scoring 25 goals and conceding 28 in their 17 games, picking up 21 points to sit 13th in the table.

Vigo have won six, drawn three and lost eight of their 17 league games this term, and will enter the game on the back of a 1-0 defeat at Sevilla, in which Manu Bueno scored the winner in the 65th minute.

Claudio Giraldez's side have been impressive on home soil this season, picking up 17 points from nine games in front of their own fans, including five wins.

Celta have finished 13th in the last two seasons, but they will believe a top-half finish is within their grasp this term given the strength of their squad, particularly up front.

However, the Sky Blues have not beaten Real Sociedad in the league since June 2020, and were beaten 1-0 in the corresponding fixture in 2023-24.

Real Sociedad, meanwhile, saw their five-match winning streak in all competitions come to an end last weekend when they were held to a goalless draw by Las Palmas in the Spanish top flight.

Imanol Alguacil's side currently sit seventh in La Liga, with a record of seven wins, four draws and six defeats from their 17 games in all competitions giving them 25 points, the same as eighth-placed Osasuna.

The Basque side are just two points adrift of fifth-placed Villarreal after the same number of games, and their success this term has been built on a strong defensive record, conceding just 11 goals in their 17 matches, the best record in the division alongside second-placed Atletico Madrid.

At the other end of the pitch, Real Sociedad have struggled, scoring just 16 times - the fifth worst attacking record - and will need to improve if they are to be serious contenders for a European spot in the second half of the season.

The White and Blues, who finished sixth last season, actually have the fourth-best away record in La Liga this term, taking 14 points from eight games, while incredibly they have only conceded twice on the road this term.

Recent Performance

Celta Vigo La Liga form:WDDLWL

Celta Vigo form (all competitions):DDLWWL

Real Sociedad La Liga form:WWLWWD

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Team News

Celta will be without the services of Sergio Carreira, Jailson and Javi Manquillo for Saturday's clash, while Damian Rodriguez, Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic are all doubts.

Jonathan Bamba and Borja Iglesias are among the attacking options likely to come off the bench against Sevilla, but Giraldez will resist the temptation to change his XI.

Iago Aspas is still going strong for Celta at the age of 37, with six goals and three assists in 16 La Liga appearances this season, and the experienced striker should get another start.

Real Sociedad will be without Aritz Elustondo, Arsen Zakharyan and Hamari Traore through injury, while Jon Pacheco is a big doubt for the visitors this weekend.

Mikel Oyarzabal is once again expected to lead the line for the Basque side, with Takefusa Kubo and Sergio Gomez likely to continue in wide positions despite the team's attacking struggles against Las Palmas.

Ander Barrenetxea and Sheraldo Becker should again be the strikers coming off the bench, while Orri Oskarsson is back in contention after a recent spell on the sidelines.

Possible starting lineup

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Minqueza, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez; Aspas, Duran, Swedberg

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, J Lopez; Kubo, Mendez, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal