Barcelona will host Celta Vigo at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday, aiming to strengthen their lead at the top of La Liga and move closer to the title. Currently leading the table with 70 points from 31 matches, Barcelona holds a four-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid, who will play later on Sunday. A win here could extend Barcelona’s lead to seven points.
Barcelona comes into this match after a 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final second leg. Despite the defeat, they advanced to the semi-finals on aggregate. The Catalan side will be eager to bounce back and return to winning ways in La Liga.
Celta Vigo sits seventh with 43 points from 31 games, five points behind sixth-placed Real Betis. Their recent form has been mixed, with a 2-0 loss to Espanyol in their last outing after enjoying a five-match unbeaten streak. Although Celta dominated possession and created chances in that game, their finishing let them down. To improve their chances of a top-six finish and European qualification, they will need to perform better against Barcelona’s strong attack.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Barcelona will miss Marc-André ter Stegen (knee), Alejandro Balde (hamstring), Marc Casado (knee), and Marc Bernal (knee) for this match. No new injuries were reported after the Dortmund game, but Hansi Flick might rotate his squad. Pedri and Inigo Martinez are expected to return to the starting lineup.
The team is likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wojciech Szczesny in goal. Jules Kounde and Gerard Martin will play as full-backs, while Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi form the central defense. Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will control the midfield in a double pivot, shielding the defense and dictating the game’s tempo. Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will operate on the wings, with Fermin Lopez in the attacking midfield role behind striker Robert Lewandowski.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Martin; de Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Celta Vigo
Celta will be without Hugo Alvarez and Carl Starfelt due to injuries. Manager Claudio Giraldez is expected to make some changes but stick to a 4-5-1 formation. Vicente Guaita will start in goal. The defense will feature Javi Rodriguez and Oscar Mingueza as full-backs, with Carlos Dominguez and Marcos Alonso at center-back.
In midfield, Sergio Carreira and Alfonso Gonzalez will provide width and support to the full-backs. The central midfield trio will be Fer Lopez, Fran Beltran, and Ilaix Moriba, tasked with disrupting Barcelona’s midfield dominance. Pablo Duran will lead the attack as the lone striker.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Guaita; Javi Rodriguez, Carlos Dominguez, Alonso, Mingueza; Carreira, Fer Lopez, Beltran, Moriba, Gonzalez; Duran.
Key Stats
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Barcelona has won 77 of the 133 meetings between the two clubs, while Celta Vigo has won 28.
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The reverse fixture in November ended in a 2-2 draw after Celta scored two late goals.
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Barcelona has scored just two goals in their last four games against Celta.
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Celta Vigo is unbeaten in their last four away games (2 wins, 2 draws).
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Barcelona had the best attack in La Liga, scoring 84 goals in 31 matches, 40 more than Celta.
Player to Watch: Fermin Lopez
Fermin Lopez has become a key player for Barcelona this season. After limited game time earlier, he has started most recent matches, including both Champions League quarter-final legs against Borussia Dortmund. The 21-year-old has featured in 36 games this season, contributing 14 goal involvements (5 goals, 9 assists). His recent form suggests he could play a vital role in helping Barcelona secure all three points.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-1 Celta Vigo
Barcelona’s attacking firepower and home advantage should see them through, but Celta’s resilience means they could find the net as well.
Live Stream
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