Celta Summary
Celta Vigo start this round just above the bottom three and face a club in similarly bad shape.
Celta’s morale is low and results of big concern, but with the recently appointed Carlos Carvalhal is hopeful of a turnaround on the back of the World cup break. They progressed through the Copa del Rey smoothly last week and friendly games also helped to rebuild confidence during December.
Carvalhal had just one player (Joseph Aidoo) on World Cup duty which gave the club a chance to spend quality time and focus on improving all areas. Adding to this, Celta currently have no injury concerns and so can face Sevilla at full strength.
New signing Denis Suárez is yet to be inscribed to play, while a couple of promising youngsters are set to add freshness to the gameday squad.
Sevilla Summary
The mood is nervous and desperate at Sevilla. The 18th-placed club are staring at a relegation battle based on its current form and worryingly lacking stability on the pitch. On a more positive slant however, they do show commitment and their best results have come away from home.
Jorge Sampaoli hasn’t had much of his squad available over the break, but he refused to use that as an excuse for any ill preparation before the trip to Vigo. More of a concern and reason for a weakened eleven will be continued bad discipline which leaves Sevilla short on three important starters due to suspension. Rakitic, Montiel, and Tanguy Nianzou are all missing due to seeing straight red cards in recent games.
Alex Telles is the most important one of several injury absences too.
There is little room to be overly selective for Sampaoli, but to an extent, Sevilla’s XI is shrouded in mystery given that they had ten World Cup representatives, including three in Argentina’s squad.
Montiel seems almost certain to begin despite only just arriving in Spain, while compatriot Lamela should be cleared fit having recovered from a knock.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first, where the favourite for this game is Celta Vigo @ 2.25 to get the victory. The draw is priced @ 3.35 while the underdog Sevilla is @ 3.45 to win.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market where the host Celta is -0.25 @ 1.90. Sevilla +0.25 @ 1.96 have some negative team news but could well come away with something from this match. They have lost only to title holders Real Madrid in their last five trips on the road and Celta are as fragile as them right now.
Looking at The Under/Over market which throws up some betting possibilities. The line is set at 2.25 and a strong preference is on the Over @ 1.92. Sevilla won’t hold back and both teams will generate chances. The match should open up with a relatively early goal. For punters that expect a more tense relegation scrap, Under is the slight favourite @ 1.90.
