When is Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol?

The Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol match will take place at the Balaidos on Thursday, 12 April. Both teams have different aims this season and will look to get all three points from this fixture.

Nobody expected Celta Vigo to perform like this season in La Liga, they have outperformed a lot of teams who are much better than them. Even though a lot of matches are left to be played, they will look to grab a European spot for sure. Last season, they were in the relegation zone and were fighting to survive in the top division, but this year, it is completely the opposite for them. A lot of credit goes to the coaching staff, who have done an incredible job, and surely they will have the confidence to get good results in the upcoming days. In 30 games, they have won 12, drawn seven, and lost 11 games till now, with 43 points on the board, they are sitting in the seventh spot on the table. Vigo will have to be at their best to win against the Catalan side.

Espanyol got promoted to the top division last season and they have done a decent job this season till now. Even though they are still sitting near the relegation zone, they can't afford to relax as every point will count for them. Not only their results but also the results of other teams will matter, so they will have to make sure to do their job very well. Facing an in form Celta Vigo side will be a tough task for sure, as they have to perform well. Overall, Espanyol do have the quality to beat them as they have done this year once in the reverse fixture. This will be a mouthwatering clash for sure.

Celta de Vigo Team news

Claudio Giraldez, head coach of Celta de Vigo (Image Credit: Official X account of GestoFoot)

Williot Swedberg is doubtful for the home side, the rest of the players are fit to play on Thursday. The side will look to get all three points against a tough opponent.

Espanyol Team News

Manolo Gonzalez, head coach of Espanyol (Image Credit: Official X account of PLF_2008)

Jose Gragera is doubtful for the Catalan side due to a thigh issue. The rest of the players are fit to play. The manager will need a strong starting XI to stop their opponents.

Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol Predicted Lineups

Celta de Vigo Predicted Lineup (4-5-1):

Goalkeeper: Guaita

Defenders: Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso, Mingueza

Midfielders: Carreira, Duran, Beitran, Moriba, Gonzalez

Forwards: Aspas

Espanyol Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Garcia

Defenders: El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero

Midfielders: Zarate, Lozano

Forwards: Roca, Exposito, Puado, Fernandez

Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol Head-to-Head Record

Both teams have faced each other 32 times, out of which Vigo won seven games, Espanyol won 13 games, and 12 matches ended in draws. In the last five fixtures, Celta Vigo won once, two matches ended in draws, and Espanyol won two games.

Date	Result	Competition
30/11/2024	Espanyol 3-1 Celta de Vigo	La Liga
18/03/2023	Espanyol 1-3 Celta de Vigo	La Liga
03/01/2023	Espanyol 1-1 Celta de Vigo	Copa Del Rey
13/84/2022	Celta de Vigo 2-2 Espanyol	La Liga
10/04/2022	Espanyol 1-0 Celta de Vigo	La Liga

Last ifve fixtures

Key Players to Watch in Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol

Ilaix Moriba (Celta de Vigo)

He is a powerful, skillful, and creative box-to-box midfielder. Moriba is known for his versatility and ability to play anywhere in midfield, being comfortable in defensive, attacking, and central roles in both three and four-man midfield. Moriba imposes himself on the pitch with his physicality, work rate, energy, and determination.

He is extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his size, technique, and good close control. Moriba possesses high stamina, energy, and the ability to go on lung-bursting runs through the middle of the park. He is also able to play line-breaking passes thanks to his technique, vision, and timing. In 25 games, he has provided one assist and has received six yellow cards till now.

Leandro Cabrera (Espanyol)

The Uruguayan centre-back is a key player for the Catalonia outfit, and he is a rock-solid defender who makes a difference on the pitch. he is an experienced player who has a lot of quality, especially when he has the ball. Without the ball, he is a physically strong defender who does his job consistently.

Overall, Espanyol's defence has been poor this season, but Cabrera is a player who leads the line with courage and always likes to take risks. He will be a big challenge for the Celta Vigo forwards as he is a bully who likes to keep the forwards under his radar. The South American defender will have to be at his best to make sure that his team doesn't concede in the upcoming fixture. In 25 games, he has scored three goals and provided one assist this season.

Celta de Vigo vs Espanyol Prediction

Despite Espanyol struggling this season and having a big threat of getting relegated, they will be a big challenge to the home team for sure. The Catalan side has players who can upset the home side. On the other hand, Vigo are over-performing this season and surely will look to continue their form at home. This will be a tight fixture for sure, but most probably, the home side will win this fixture.