Celta Vigo v Atletico Madrid – Betting Preview
Celta Vigo Summary
Celta have won two big games on the bounce and the momentum is excellent. Carlos Carvalhal is enjoying a great run of form and Celta welcome the opponent in excellent spirits after beating rivals Athletic Bilbao and Beits away in their last two matches.
The Portuguese technician is getting a tune out of his team, and they will seek a draw here to maintain momentum, anything else a big bonus.
The confidence in Galicia is positive, but there is a concern on team news with Unai Nunez the tough centre back banned. Mingueza Will cover Nunez and other than that, it seems probable Celta keep an unchanged side which carved out a clinical win against Real Betis.
In terms of the injury front, only Agustín Marchesín remains out and it will be a testing absence, how damaging remains to be seen. This is just the star keepers second match missing. He suffered an Achilles injury which will see him miss the remainder of the season.
Veteran keeper Diego Alves was an emergency signing this week but Celta will lean on average shot stopper Iván Villar once more, who struggled in Seville last weekend. He has long been their back up keeper. It’s a significant loss but generally, the team is happy and confident and for now, confiding in Villar.
Atletico Madrid Summary
Atletico Madrid’s league form has improved, and the team is looking sharper in attack with a more ambitious approach.
Simeone’s team worked hard to get a vintage Atletico-style win a couple of weeks back in Osasuna, but then dropped a hugely disappointing two points in a 1-1 draw with Getafe last weekend.
The draw at home to Getafe was harsh on them but they didn’t play their best and will be extra motivated to win here and compensate. They want to push for 3rd place but at a minimum, to finish at least in the top four in La Liga 2022/23.
Team news is extremely positive for the home side as Kondogbia is back fully fit and available, they have no bans, and the physio room is empty since Wednesday.
Simeone is set to use an attacking side according to the local media.
The Madrid press has a very clear idea of the team that faces Celta based on the last couple of days’ training sessions, Llorente starts on a dynamic 4-3-3, which may end up more like a 4-4-2 with Llorente as a right midfielder. The Predicted side is Oblak; Molina, Savic, Hermoso, Reinildo; Koke, De Paul, Llorente, Barrios, Griezmann & Morata.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. The slight favourite for this game is Real Betis @ 2.55. The home side are a fairly attractive @ 2.92 while the draw is @ 3.30.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. Atletico are a slight favourite with a -0.25 @ 1.88 start. Celta is in great mood with back to back wins but this is a tougher test than previous two, although neither of those at all easy. Celta +0.25 with the draw onside @ 1.99 may not be enough, my sense is that Atletico will get a full win for their backers here. Likely results are 0-2 and 1-2.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting which is interesting. Celta Vigo were involved in a 7 goal triller last weekend where both teams defended badly. They are certain to tighten up and respect Atletico more, but the visitor is trying hard to become the kind of team that is involved in entertaining matches as well, something the board requested of Diego Simeone. It is a tricky one to call but with the line so low, a definite preference for over 2 goals here @ 1.80. Under is @2.03. Reaching exactly two goals is a reassuring cushion, as exactly 2 goals would see the stake returned
