A preview of the La Liga match between Celta de Vigo and Real Betis. Real Betis is in better form and is predicted to win the match 2-0.
La Liga action heats up this week as Celta de Vigo prepares to host Real Betis at the Balaídos Stadium. Wednesday's clash promises an intriguing battle between Claudio Giráldez's Celta and Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis, with kickoff set for 8pm UK time. Let's delve into the details of this encounter, analyzing both teams' strengths, weaknesses, and recent form to provide a comprehensive match preview.
Celta de Vigo: Seeking Stability
Celta de Vigo, a consistent presence in the Spanish top flight, typically aims for a mid-table finish. However, the 2025-26 season hasn't started according to plan for Los Celestes. Currently sitting 15th in the league standings, they've managed just one point from their opening two matches. After a respectable 13th-place finish in the 2023-24 campaign and a notable seventh in 2024-25, Celta is looking to regain their footing.
Their recent form has been inconsistent. A 1-1 draw against Real Mallorca away from home offered a glimmer of hope, but it followed a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Getafe in front of their home fans. Prior to that, a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in a pre-season friendly provided a morale boost, but friendly results rarely translate directly to league performance.
Looking ahead to the match against Real Betis, Celta is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 formation. Andrei Radu will likely start in goal, shielded by a back three of Manuel Fernandez, Carlos Dominguez, and Marcos Alonso. The midfield will likely comprise Javier Rueda, Hugo Sotelo, Ilaix Moriba, and Sergio Carreira. In attack, Iago Aspas and Ferran Jutgla are expected to play as attacking midfielders, supporting Pablo Duran as the lone striker. Giráldez will be hoping this setup can provide both defensive stability and attacking threat.
Real Betis: Aiming for Europe Again
Real Betis, known for their ambition and strong fan base, has consistently competed in major European competitions. Their recent achievements include a Conference League final appearance last season, where they narrowly lost to Chelsea. Los Verdiblancos have been steadily improving, finishing seventh in La Liga in 2023-24 and then climbing to sixth place last season, securing a spot in this season's Europa League.
Manuel Pellegrini's side has enjoyed a promising start to the 2025-26 campaign, with one win and one draw from their first two league games. This positive momentum will undoubtedly fuel their confidence heading into the match against Celta Vigo.
Their recent form includes a 1-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves at home, preceded by a 1-1 draw with Elche on the road. A 2-2 draw with Como in a pre-season friendly completes their recent run of results. Betis will be aiming to build on their solid start and secure another three points against Celta.
For the upcoming match, Real Betis is anticipated to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Pau Lopez is expected to start in goal, with a defensive line of Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra, Natan, and Junior Firpo. Sergi Altimira and Pablo Fornals are likely to form the central midfield partnership, providing both defensive cover and playmaking ability. Aitor Ruibal, Giovani Lo Celso, and Rodrigo Riquelme are expected to operate as the attacking midfielders, supporting Cucho Hernandez as the central striker.
Key Factors
- Celta de Vigo have conceded 3 goals in 2 La Liga games this season, indicating potential defensive vulnerabilities.
- In their last match against Real Mallorca, Celta de Vigo maintained 50.4% possession, suggesting they can control the tempo of a game.
- However, against Real Mallorca, Celta de Vigo managed only 2 shots on target from 8 attempts, highlighting potential struggles in the final third.
- Real Betis have scored 2 goals in 2 La Liga matches, indicating a decent attacking output.
- Real Betis have conceded only 1 goal in 2 La Liga matches, demonstrating a solid defensive foundation.
Prediction
Real Betis appears to be the stronger team heading into this match. Their solid start to the season, coupled with Celta de Vigo's defensive vulnerabilities, suggests that Betis are well-positioned to secure a victory. While Celta will undoubtedly put up a fight, Real Betis's superior quality and form should see them through.
Predicted Score: Real Betis to win 2-0
Best Odds: 14/1 (Zetbet)