Football
Alaves vs Celta Vigo Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: January 27, 2025 Kickoff Time: 20:00 (UK Time) Venue: Mendizorroza SportsBoom previews the La Liga match between Deportivo Alaves and Celta Vigo at the Mendizorroza on Monday, 27 January 2025. With pressure mounting as we reach the business end of the campaign, both teams require a change in fortunes, desperately trying to accumulate enough points to avoid being stuck in a relegation dogfight, which seems like constantly rolling the dice in a ‘snakes and ladders’ game at the bottom half of La Liga standings.
Kike of Deportivo Alaves//Getty Images
Football betting fans will attempt to swoop in, grabbing the best odds by scrutinizing both clubs, aiming to find the best value. For a detailed, in-depth analysis of the match, be sure to check out our full preview.
Celta Vigo travel to the Basque Country hoping to correct their horrid away form, suffering seven defeats in nine trips, (only the bottom three clubs have performed worse). Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves are in search of their first win on home soil (since last November), following a 3-1 win away at Real Betis.
After steadying the ship with a string of hard-fought draws since arriving midway in December, Argentine, Eduardo Coudet claimed his first victory as Deportivo Alaves manager over Real Betis. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo aim to distance themselves from a relegation battle by improving their torrid run away from home under the youthful guidance of Claudio Giraldez.
PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBABILITY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
HOME: 19/10 (2.90) – 34,5%
DRAW: 2/1 (3.00) – 33.3%
AWAY: 17/10 (2.70) – 37%
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Five Meetings (La Liga)
16/08/24: Celta Vigo 2-1 Alaves
27/04/24: Alaves 3-0 Celta Vigo
28/09/23: Celta Vigo 1-1 Alaves
07/05/22: Celta Vigo 4-0 Alaves
27/11/21: Alaves 1-2 Celta Vigo
ALAVES: CURRENT FORM – WLDDD
There is plenty to be positive about for the ‘Babazorros’ under new manager Eduardo Coudet, who has come in to effectively save Alaves from being relegated. During the 2020/21 La Liga campaign, Coudet took charge of the opposing team, Celta Vigo, languishing in 19th position, after 10 matches played, masterminding an escape that eventually turned into the 8th-best team in La Liga thanks to Iago Aspas (13 goals) and Santi Mina (12 goals).
Proof that the Argentine manager is well-equipped for the task approaching, firepower is needed in the form of reliable goal-poachers to put the ball in the back of the net to replicate his Celta Vigo heroics for Alaves.
Step up, veteran striker, Kike Garcia bagged himself a hat-trick against Real Betis (his first for the club since scoring a treble in Eibar colours against Alaves). The 35-year-old Spaniard has featured as the spearhead of Alaves’ attack in all six games under the tutelage of Coudet, netting seven goals, which include a brace in the Copa del Rey away at Deportiva Minera, and another brace against his former employers Osasuna.
During Celta Vigo’s last five visits to Alaves, the hosts have kept three clean sheets, winning twice, although, suffering two losses on the occasion, Coudet was steering the opposing Celta Vigo ship.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Kike Garcia: The striker has flourished under new management by being brilliant at dropping into deeper midfield areas, linking up the play, and then getting onto the end of chances inside the 18-yard area, with his main strength being aerial duels. Without a doubt Alaves’ biggest threat in attacking set-piece situations.
- Carlos Vicente: The 25-year-old has netted three La Liga goals this campaign, coming to the forefront with two well-executed assists against Real Betis. Vicente together with Argentine right-back Facundo Tenaglia will attempt to recreate the 2v1 situation which led to Celta Vigo conceding their second goal against Athletic Bilbao last time out.
- Jesus Owono: The young goalkeeper hailing from Equatorial Guinea is no stranger to playing under pressure, catching the eyes of Alaves’ scouts during his performances at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations as a fresh-faced teenager. Only starting a handful of games following a hand injury to club-captain Antonio Sivera, Owono will be crucial.
ALAVES TEAM NEWS
Goalkeeper Antonio Sivera remains unavailable with a broken hand he suffered days before the Christmas break, during a match against Valencia. Meanwhile, midfielder Antonio Blanco will serve a one-match suspension for accumulating five yellow cards.
Midfielder Joan Jordan (leg injury) and attacker Carlos Martin (muscle injury) remain major doubts, forced off after 30 minutes against Girona, this fixture may come too soon for the pair desperately awaiting to rejoin their rejuvenated team.
CELTA VIGO: CURRENT FORM – LLWLW
Marcos Alonso scored a stoppage-time penalty to secure a 2-2 draw and take Celta Vigo’s Copa del Rey clash with Real Madrid to extra time, eventually being dumped out 5-2 (AET) by the sheer quality of depth at the disposal of Los Blancos.
That result sandwiched by recent 2-1, La Liga defeats to both Athletic Bilbao and Rayo Vallecano will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of fans, three matches without a win, not to mention the Sky Blues’ abysmal record on their travels of seven losses in nine matches. Surely, pressure is mounting on 36-year-old manager Claudio Giraldez as he nears his first anniversary in the Celta Vigo hot seat.
On home soil, at the Estadio Abanca-Balaidos, Celta Vigo are statistically the fourth-best team in La Liga (only surpassed by Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao). Giraldez has to find a way for his team to translate this into points on their travels or succumb to being dragged into the relegation scrap along with Alaves.
Iago Aspas’ absence after sustaining an injury in the Copa del Rey against Racing Santander at the beginning of the month has stifled Celta Vigo, with their top-goal scorer out of action the responsibility of leading the attack has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Borja Iglesias and Williot Swedberg.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marcos Alonso: At the age of 34, Alonso’s speed on defensive transitions will probably not be on par with a 20-year-old, however, his precise and powerful left foot is still a weapon that could devastate opponents with the height of Borja Iglesias and Williot Swedberg being primary targets during set-pieces.
Borja Iglesias: The Spanish striker has amassed five goals to his name in La Liga and will become integral to the team winning more away games and finding the net away at Las Palmas, Osasuna, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano.
Williot Swedberg: The young Swedish striker has started in eight La Liga matches across their 20 fixtures, being used in a substitute role on 10 occasions. The direct route one approach seems to be effectively rewarded with goals, more suited to the 1.87 frame of target man Swedberg.
CELTA VIGO TEAM NEWS
Marcos Alonso returns from suspension following his red card at Rayo Vallecano, while fellow defender Oscar Mingueza will miss this match due to his red card picked up against Athletic Bilbao last time out.
Veteran forward Iago Aspas remains on the sidelines, being one month away from a return to full fitness. Meanwhile, youngster Fer Lopez (ankle injury) and midfielder Alfon Gonzalez (hamstring) are major doubts and unlikely to feature in this match.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Alaves: 4-2-3-1
Owono; Tenaglia, Abqar, Diarra, Sanchez; Guevara, Benavidez; Vicente, Guridi, Conechny; Garcia.
Celta Vigo: 4-2-3-1
Guaita; Rodriguez, Starfelt, Dominguez, Alonso; Moriba, Beltran; Bamba, Cervi, Alvarez; Iglesias.
SUGGESTED BETS
If you love betting on the Spanish La Liga, here are some bets you can place at some of the top-rated online bookmakers.
Alaves Total (Total 0.5): Over 0.5 Goals for the hosts might seem frugal but with not much on offer, we suggest choosing the safer option. (38/100 with Betway) (38/100 with Stake)
Double Chance: Backing Alaves + Draw makes sense seeing as Celta Vigo find difficulty in winning on their travels and might not offer immense value, however, your money is safe with Coudet steering the hosts. (47/100 with Betway) (43/100 with Stake) (44/100 with 1Win)
Over 2.5 Goals: Five of the previous six meetings between these sides have seen more than 2.5 goals scored. Priced around even money, this looks a solid bet. (119/100 with Betway) (119/100 with Stake) (121/100 with 1Win)
VALUE BETS
Kike Garcia – Anytime Goalscorer: Alaves’ focal point of attack netted a hat-trick last weekend, given his red-hot form under the new manager and his responsibility of penalty duty, this could be a lucrative punt. (285/100 with Betway (285/100 with Stake) (280/100 with 1Win)
1X2 & Both Teams to Score: After careful analysis, everything points towards the former Celta Vigo manager getting the better of his former employers in a goal-filled encounter (Alaves). (500/100 with Betway) (560/100 with Stake) (500/100 with 1Win)
Correct Score: If you want to be braver and go for even longer odds, we suggest dipping into the Correct Score market and having a nibble on Alaves 2-1 Celta Vigo. (11/1 with Betway) (11/1 with Stake) (10/1 with 1Win)
PREDICTION: ALAVES TO EDGE OUT A VICTORY
Given the confidence since the arrival of new manager Eduardo Coudet, having seemingly turned the corner by convincingly beating Real Betis, coupled with Celta Vigo’s struggles away from home. We are firmly backing Alaves to edge out a victory.
Bryan is a passionate sports writer with a focus on football and cricket. While he loves top leagues like the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Premier League, he also covers lesser-known leagues, offering previews and tips for sports betting sites.
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