The Matchday 31 La Liga clash between Celta and Espanyol will take place on April 12 at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo. Celta vs. Espanyol: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Celta
The Galicians visited Mallorca in the last round and defeated them 2-1. As a result, Claudio Giráldez's side has extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches, securing five wins and three draws. The team is now seventh in the standings, just five points away from the European competition zone.
- The club has scored in 13 consecutive La Liga matches.
- Both teams have scored in 10 of Celta's last 12 league matches.
- The Galicians have not lost the second half in 9 of their last 10 La Liga games (5 wins and 4 draws).
Predicted lineup for Celta (4-3-3)
Vicente Guaita – Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rodriguez, Oscar Mingueza – Sergio Carreira, Fran Beltran, Ilaix Moriba – Alfonso Gonzalez, Pablo Duran, Iago Aspas.
Espanyol
The Catalans surprised everyone in the last round by thrashing Rayo Vallecano 4-0 away. Before that, the team had not won in three consecutive La Liga matches (2 draws and 1 loss). It is also worth noting that the club had not achieved such a large victory in La Liga since May 2019. Manolo Gonzalez's side is in 16th place, but the relegation zone is not far away.
- The club has suffered only one defeat in their last six league games (2 wins and 3 draws).
- At least two goals have been scored in 9 of Espanyol's last 11 La Liga matches.
- The Catalans have failed to score in the first half in 7 of their last 8 La Liga games.
Predicted lineup for Espanyol (4-4-2)
Joan Garcia – Omar El Hilali, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Marash Kumbulla – Antonio Roca, Urko Gonzalez, Edu Exposito, Pol Lozano – Javi Puado, Roberto Fernandez Jaen.
Referee
Mateo Busquets Ferrer (Spain)
Matches – 16 (La Liga, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 90;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.6;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 31%.
Celta vs. Espanyol: Match Prediction
Matches between these opponents are often high-scoring affairs. In the last 12 league meetings, both teams have scored on 10 occasions. The trend is even more pronounced in matches held in Vigo, where in 9 of the last 10 La Liga encounters, both sides found the net. Based on the current form of the teams, this game is likely to follow a similar pattern.
Additionally, consider the current season's performances. Celta has an 11-match scoring streak at home in La Liga, but they have also conceded in 15 of their last 19 home league games. Espanyol has failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 of their last 12 away La Liga matches. Furthermore, the Catalans have scored in their last five away league games.
My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
