Soccer Spain LaLiga Prediction

Celta Vigo vs Mallorca - Match Preview

⚽ 17 April 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

The Celta Vigo turnaround under head coach Carlos Carvalhal has been quite sensational, to the point where they are now targeting a top-half finish in La Liga for just the second time in seven seasons. The Sky Blues netted twice at the death to come from behind and earn a 2-2 draw against Sevilla last weekend, a result which meant they finished matchday 28 in tenth place in the table thanks to a run of one defeat in ten outings (W5, D4).

Carvalhal took the reins in November, and defeat in his first game in charge against Osasuna meant Celta had suffered seven defeats in nine fixtures (W1, D1). Relegation looked a real possibility, but the Portuguese have made his side tough to beat and they are now attempting to extend an impressive home record of just a solitary loss in their last seven outings at Balaídos (W3, D3), with all three wins accompanied by a clean sheet.

Hoping to end that run are visitors Mallorca, who have suffered only a couple of defeats in the last dozen meetings between the two sides (W6, D4). The Pirates will be desperate to rekindle that kind of form, given a run of six games without a victory (D3, L3) has seen them dragged dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Javier Aguirre’s side finished the last round just seven points above the bottom three after letting the lead slip in a 3-3 draw with Real Valladolid. The manager admits his side will have to cut out the defensive errors if they are to climb the table, stating “we weren't very solid” as they failed to keep a clean sheet for the seventh successive away league fixture (D1, L6), conceding at least twice in five of those games.

📋 Players to watch: Celta striker Iago Aspas has netted four times in five H2Hs with Mallorca, but finished on the winning side just once (D2, L2). Vedat Muriqi scored twice last week and now has 12 league goals this season, ten of which saw him open the match scoring for Mallorca.

⚡ Hot stat: Celta Vigo may have come from behind to draw last time out, but they still haven’t won a single league game in which they have conceded the first goal this season (D5, L9).