Verdict: Lamine Yamal to score anytime
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to La Liga duties on Wednesday night, Barcelona will look to take another giant leap towards defending their domestic crown when they welcome Celta Vigo to Catalonia.
Barcelona
Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might have claimed a second-leg victory in the Spanish capital last week, Hansi Flick’s side watched their Champions League adventure come to a disappointing end. Eventually falling to a 3-2 aggregate defeat against domestic foes Atletico Madrid, the reigning La Liga champions now have their sole attention fixed on taking another giant leap towards defending their domestic crown over the coming weeks. Last seen in top-flight action cruising their way to a thumping 4-1 victory against Espanyol, Flick’s side suddenly hold a dominant nine-point advantage over arch-rivals Real Madrid. Likewise, despite their European frustration last week, Barcelona have won six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Once again pencilled in as a landslide contender on Wednesday night, Wednesday’s hosts have also gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third.
Barcelona Team News
Missing out away at Atletico last week and still dealing with a recent thigh injury, Barcelona are once again sweating over the fitness of Brazilian ace Raphinha on Wednesday night. Serving a European suspension in the Spanish capital, 19-year-old Pau Cubarsi will return to Flick’s squad.
Registering 26 direct goal contributions in his 27 La Liga appearances this season (15 goals, 11 assists), attacking talisman Lamine Yamal will be looking to extend on his record-breaking run. Settling for a spot on the bench in Madrid last week, Polish icon Robert Lewandowski could be handed a full recall.
Celta Vigo
As for the visitors, watching their respective European adventure come to a thumping end last week, Celta Vigo find themselves at the heart of a real rut. Eventually falling to a woeful 6-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of German outfit Freiburg, the pressure on Claudio Giraldez’s shoulders is starting to boil. Last seen in La Liga action getting hit with an infamous 3-0 drumming at home against a Real Oviedo side who sat rock-bottom of the table, Celta Vigo have now lost each of their previous three consecutive appearances across all competitions. Facing what is a monumental challenge when they travel to the runaway Spanish leaders on Wednesday night, the Sky Blues have continued to show some glaring defensive issues. In fact, Giraldez’s struggling squad have shipped 15 goals in just their previous five outings.
Celta Vigo Team News
Not featuring since returning from March’s international break, Swedish international Carl Starfelt remains a doubt with a back injury. Likewise, 23-year-old Miguel Roman is still recovering from a foot injury and remains a doubt in Catalonia.
In his second season at Balaidos, former Barcelona star Marcos Alonso will once again be deployed at the heart of Celta’s defence. Although veteran striker Iago Aspas might have not found the net since the end of February, the 38-year-old could be handed a rare chance to lead the line.
Barcelona vs Celta Vigo Key Factors to Consider
- When Barcelona and Celta Vigo met for their reverse La Liga showdown back on November 9th, Flick’s side secured an action-packed 4-2 win in Galicia.
- Despite their Champions League exit last week, Barcelona have won six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- The reigning Spanish champions have notched 84 goals in their 31 La Liga appearances so far this season.
- Wednesday’s guests have lost their previous three outings across all fronts by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- Celta Vigo have shipped 15 goals in their previous five outings across all competitions.
Conclusion
Despite their heartbreaking Champions League exit last week, Barcelona will be excited to make a return to Catalonia here. Remarkably opening the midweek fixtures holding a commanding nine-point buffer over arch-rivals Real Madrid, Flick’s side will be confident of taking another giant leap towards defending their domestic crown. Securing a frantic 4-2 victory when they travelled to Balaidos back in November, they will meet a Celta Vigo defence who have continued to show a string of glaring issues.
Verdict: Lamine Yamal to score anytime
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
