Celta Vigo vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 30/04/2019, 19:02  by Donal Kearns | Modified on 03/05/2019 at 16:56 in LaLiga Predictions

Barcelona were crowned champions of Spain last weekend and took another huge step towards the treble in midweek by beating Liverpool 3-0 at Camp Nou in the Champions League. A very different side is expected to take to the field at Balaidos on Saturday though. Celta Vigo are battling for their lives and the bookies make them the favourites to win this game and edge closer to survival in La Liga. Ernesto Valverde is doing an excellent job in Barcelona and while it may not always be appreciated, the results are beginning to speak for themselves. They wrapped up the most comfortable of title wins last weekend and they’ve certainly earned the right to rotate here although it’s unlikely to go down particularly well with the other sides at the bottom. Even with a 3-0 advantage, they will still be a bit nervous about the trip to Anfield and will be determined to head there in the best possible shape.

Celta Vigo picked up a point at Leganes last weekend, but they remain very much in the thick of the relegation scrap. The Balaidos crowd is sure to make this a hostile environment for the newly crowned champions and they’ve been arriving early in recent weeks to cheer the team bus on its way to the stadium. It has done the trick too with Celta winning their last 3 at home however they are still only just outside the relegation zone heading into this one. The team news here is very important for both sides. Celta’s key man Iago Aspas is expected to shake off a shoulder problem or at the very least play with injections and he has been inspired since his return from a more serious injury. The hometown hero has fired in 6 goals in 6 games with 5 in his last 3 at Balaidos. Backing Aspas to score anytime could be worth a punt here. His presence also increases the chances of this being a relatively high scoring game and Celta generally have been an entertaining watch this season. Only five sides have scored more goals than them but only two have conceded more and they are sure to take the game to what is certain to be a much-weakened Barcelona side.