Malaga vs Celta Vigo Prediction and Preview – 02/01/16
La Liga preview – Malaga vs Celta Vigo prediction
Malaga await positive reports on defender Marcos Angeleri who has been receiving treatment on a knock since after the match at Athletic Club early in December. Miguel Torres missed the victory at Levante with a hamstring problem and should be fit for the trip to Las Palmas on 10 January. Duda pressed his claim to start up front alongside Brazilian striker Charles when coming off the bench to score the winner against Levante.
Celta Vigo coach Manuel Berizzo played a 4-3-3 formation which proved unsuccessful against Athletic Club last time and may consider reverting back to 4-2-3-1 this Saturday. It could mean a recall for Joseph Sene who was the star man in the 2-0 win at Granada before Christmas. Joint top goal scorer Nolito is out until mid-January with a hamstring injury and Andreu Fontas remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
Possible Line-ups
Malaga: 4-4-2 formation: Kameri; Rosales, Albentos, Weligton, Juan Carlos; Amrabat, Recio, Camacho, Fornals; Charles, Cop
Celta Vigo: 4-2-3-1 formation: Blanco; Jonny, Mallo, Cabral, Planas; Fernandez, Wass; Sene, Orellana, Bongonda; Aspas
Statistics
- Malaga have won 3 drawn 2 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
- Celta Vigo have won 6 drawn 1 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Malaga have scored an average of 0.7 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Celta Vigo have scored an average of 1.4 goals and conceded an average of 1.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Malaga’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 4 of Celta Vigo’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Malaga have made great strides in recent weeks, gradually pulling away from the relegation places thanks to an unbeaten run of five league games. It’s probably best to ignore the defeats against Second Division Mirandes in the Copa del Rey when Javi Gracia made many changes to the regular line up. Malaga have won their last three league games and must maintain momentum to avoid being dragged back to the survival fight.
Celta Vigo look to bounce back from the 1-0 defeat at home to Levante before the Christmas break which ended an unbeaten run of six games in all competitions. Berizzo’s boys are pressing for the fourth Champions slot and victory in Malaga will maintain the gap to a clutch of clubs with similar ambitions. Celta’s away form has been impressive this season with five wins, two draws and one defeat in eight league games.
Celta Vigo miss Nolito who has five assists to go with his eight goals in La Liga this season but have enough in the locker to win this by a narrow margin.
Tips
Celta Vigo to win at 11/5 with BetVictor
Under 2.5 goals at 3/4 with Marathonbet
Celta Vigo to win 1-0 at 17/2 with BetVictor
What are your predictions?
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