Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. The favourite for this game won a narrow 0-1 for its backers. Celta Vigo were slight drifters, having opened @ around 2.15, the away team was deserved winners and priced @ 2.20 to win by kick off.
Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. Elche +0.25 backers were never comfortable after conceding within five minutes. And although they did miss clear chances in each half to level, it is fair to say Celta Vigo were fully deserved winners. Celta -0.25 backers got a full win @ 1.81.
Looking at The Under/Over market last of all. Punters bet down from 2.5 to 2.25 the day before kick-off. This indicated the public expected a low-scoring game and despite the early goal, it ended up exactly as that. Under 2.25 won @ 1.85 but in truth, only very poor finishing meant it did not go Over 2.25 goals. Both sides missed clear opportunities and the match was more open than most would have anticipated. That said, around the hour mark onwards, Celta focused on sitting back and defending only, killing hopes of more goals.
Match Summary
Celta Vigo fought hard to earn a narrow 0-1 win over an impotent and frustrated Elche, who look doomed at the bottom of La Liga after this crucial loss.
Celta finally won a La Liga away game on Spanish Kings Day. The 12th day of Christmas – A perfect gift for Carlos Carvalhal to gain his first league victory in charge. It was not a pretty game but his side always played the neater and more effective football, meriting this victory.
Celta scored an early goal to take good control of the game from the 5th minute. Aspas and Gabriel Veiga were ever dangerous for the visitors in what became a fairly entertaining opening period.
Elche relied on set pieces while Celta, through the above-mentioned duo mainly, worked big openings on classy breaks.
In the second period, the game opened up even more than the first half, although the wild nature of the contest was short-lived.
Before the contest lost its open nature, both teams missed big chances as Elche took risks and looked dangerous.
Gradually, however, Celta Vigo slowed the intensity and tried to waste time which worked well.
Elche’s fans grew increasingly frustrated at the scoreline and their team’s lack of cohesion and quality. The home support booed their most ineffective attacking men that were subbed off including Roger.
The host did have a couple of dangerous crosses but as the offensive unit never connected in the final third, the best balls in were never met with runners. Overall, the match merited more goals, a more accurate result is 1-2.
