bet365
BetMGM
William Hill
Betfred
BetUK
LiveScoreBet
10Bet
Virgin Bet
Celta’s Balaídos surge or Lille’s response — whose Europa League night bends first? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Celta Vigo have entered 2026 in prolific scoring form, netting 11 goals in their last three matches. Lille average 14.3 shots per game in the Europa League and possess a major aerial threat in Olivier Giroud, ensuring both attacks have a clear path to scoring.
Read Rationale ▾
Celta’s home momentum and short-passing efficiency make them favorites to edge a victory. While Lille’s set-piece strength will likely result in a goal, Celta’s 12-goal output in the competition and clinical domestic form point toward a narrow 2-1 win at Balaídos.
Readers’ Tip
Vote your pick — quick & anonymous
Terms & Conditions (tap to view)
Celta Vigo vs Lille Predictions and Best Bets
Celta Vigo vs Lille — BetMGM Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample BetMGM odds based on our match analysis.
Celta’s 2026 momentum gives them the edge, but Lille’s possession-based style ensures a tight pricing margin for the away win.
Analysis suggests a high-tempo match where both teams are likely to contribute to the scoreline.
Celta’s recent 11-goal run makes Both Teams to Score a statistically dominant feature.
- Red-Hot Start to 2026: Celta Vigo have won three from three in La Liga in 2026, scoring 11 and conceding one — momentum with bite, and it’s not been built on fine margins.
- Level on Points, Different Feel: Both clubs sit on nine points after six Europa League games, but Celta have scored 12 while Lille have 10 — similar results, different attacking output.
- Lille’s Away Europe Problem: Lille’s last three away Europa League matches have finished under 2.5 goals, and they average just 0.33 goals per away game in the competition.
Attacking Output: Europa League Goals Scored
Both teams sit on the same points, but their path to goal has differed across the league phase.
Their 11-goal domestic run in 2026 highlights a side operating at peak finishing efficiency.
Averaging over 14 shots per match, Lille rely on sustained pressure to break down opponents.
Control & Intensity: Style Comparison
A comparison between Lille’s possession-heavy dominance and Celta’s direct, high-intensity start to the year.
Lille dictate tempo through high pass accuracy and sustained territorial advantage.
They enter this fixture on a 100% win rate for the calendar year with only one goal conceded.
Estadio de Balaídos has a charge running through it right now. Celta Vigo have hit 2026 at full throttle — three league wins from three, 11 goals scored, and only one conceded. Claudio Giráldez has his side moving with confidence, and that 3-0 home win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend only turned the volume up.
Lille land in Vigo with the same Europa League points total — nine — but a different mood. Bruno Génésio’s side have taken knocks in recent weeks, including defeats to Rennes and PSG, and they’ve already been edged out away in Europe this season. With the League Phase nearing its business end, this one feels like a pressure test: can Celta keep their rhythm, or can Lille grind their way into control?
Kick-off is 20:00.
Team News & Lineups
Injuries / absences
- Óscar Mingueza (Celta Vigo) — suspended
- Ilaix Moriba (Celta Vigo) — yellow card suspension (until 23.01.2026)
- Mihailo Ristić (Celta Vigo) — injury
- No Lille injuries or suspensions are listed.
Celta Vigo probable XI
Radu; Fernandez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Roman, Sotelo, Carreira; Aspas, Iglesias, Zaragoza
Lille probable XI
Ozer; Meunier, Ngoy, Mandi, Perraud; Bentaleb, Mukau; Mbappe, Haraldsson, Correia; Giroud
What it means
- If Mingueza and Moriba miss out as listed, Celta lose a key connector and a flexible wide/defensive outlet — that can change how brave they are down the flanks.
- Lille’s front line has a clear reference point in Olivier Giroud, while Hákon Haraldsson and Félix Correia bring the running and creativity around him.
The Tale of the Tape
| Metric | Celta Vigo | Lille |
|---|---|---|
| Europa League points (after 6) | 9 | 9 |
| Europa League record | W3 L3 | W3 L3 |
| Europa League goals scored | 12 | 10 |
| Europa League goals conceded | 9 | 7 |
| Europa League shots per game | 13.0 | 14.3 |
| Europa League possession | 52.8% | 58.2% |
| Europa League pass accuracy | 87.1% | 85.5% |
| Clean sheets (all comps) | 9 | 8 |
| Red cards (all comps) | 2 | 6 |
What the numbers tell us
This shapes up as a clash between Celta’s punch and Lille’s control. Lille keep the ball more (58.2%) and shoot slightly more (14.3 per game), but Celta have been the sharper scorers in this competition (12). The tightest line is goals conceded: Lille have allowed 7, Celta 9 — a hint that Lille can absorb pressure, but also that Celta can create enough to force messy moments.
William Hill
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
Show Terms & Conditions
BetMGM
Bet £10 Get £40 In Free Bets
Show Terms & Conditions
bet365
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
Betfred
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets
Show Terms & Conditions
10bet
100% Up To £50 On First Deposit
Show Terms & Conditions
Tactical Battle: How the Match Plays Out
Celta: through balls, quick cuts, and a soft spot wide
Celta’s strengths point to a direct intelligence rather than slow possession for its own sake. They look to play through balls, keep passes short, and turn half-chances into big ones with crisp movement. With Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias in the likely XI, you’ve got craft and a finisher who doesn’t need a flood of touches — Iglesias has seven league goals already.
But there’s a clear danger area: Celta are weak defending attacks down the wings, and they’re very weak in aerial duels. That matters against a Lille side that’s strong in the air and likes to work the match down the left. If Celta’s wide defenders get pinned, the shape can stretch fast — and that’s when passing lanes into the box open up.
Lille: possession with aggression, plus set-piece steel
Lille’s identity reads like a team built to dictate: possession football, control in the opposition half, and an aggressive edge. They’re strong at finishing chances, strong at attacking set pieces, and strong at defending set pieces — that last part is huge in a tight European away fixture.
The obvious route is to overload Celta’s flanks, especially with Perraud and Haraldsson combining, then aim for Giroud when deliveries arrive. Lille’s aerial strength isn’t just about winning headers — it’s about forcing second balls, keeping Celta facing their own goal, and turning Balaídos into a defensive exercise.
Where the game swings
If Celta can win the ball and release runners early, Lille’s possession can become a risk, not a weapon. But if Lille settle and start stacking phases in Celta’s half, Celta’s aerial weakness and wing defending can get exposed in waves rather than one-offs.
Key Moments to Watch
- Wide duels: Celta’s wing defence is a known pressure point, and Lille’s left-sided focus can go hunting for it.
- Set-piece battle: Lille are strong at both ends on dead balls, while Celta’s aerial numbers hint at discomfort when the ball goes up.
- Discipline: Lille have six red cards across all competitions — if the tempo spikes, that risk doesn’t disappear.
- The first punch: Celta’s recent league run has been ruthless in both boxes — if they start fast again, the crowd will feel it.
What could go wrong?
For Celta, it’s getting dragged into an aerial fight and losing territory on second balls until their back line is living off clearances. For Lille, it’s dominating possession without incision — and then one Celta through ball turns control into chaos.
Best Bet for Celta Vigo vs Lille
Celta’s Balaídos surge or Lille’s response — whose Europa League night bends first?
The Punter’s Cheat Sheet
| Factor | The Numbers | Betting Signal |
| Attack | Celta: 12 goals (UEL); Lille: 10 goals | Back BTTS |
| Form | Celta: 11 goals in 3 games; Lille: 2 losses | Celta to Win |
| Defense | Lille: 7 goals conceded; Celta: 9 | Over 2.5 Goals |
| Aerials | Celta weak; Giroud leading Lille line | Giroud Score |
Both Teams to Score
Celta Vigo are the most dangerous offensive side in Spanish football at the start of 2026. They have maintained a ruthless scoring rate, finding the net 11 times in their last three league matches while averaging 13.0 shots per game in European competition. The presence of Borja Iglesias, who has already secured seven league goals this season, ensures that Celta are clinical from high-value through-ball opportunities.
Lille possess the tactical tools and aggression to breach Celta’s back line with regularity. Bruno Génésio’s side dictates play with 58.2% possession and creates a high volume of chances, averaging 14.3 shots per match. They are particularly dangerous on the left flank through Haraldsson and Perraud, which targets Celta’s primary defensive weakness in wide areas.
The match creates a clear clash between Celta’s finishing efficiency and Lille’s set-piece dominance. Celta are statistically weak in aerial duels and defending crosses, providing a significant advantage to a Lille side that features Olivier Giroud as a central target. Lille are strong at both attacking and defending set pieces, meaning they will have high-quality looks even if Celta control the central passing lanes.
The defensive numbers support a high-scoring exchange. Celta have conceded nine goals in the Europa League phase, while Lille have allowed seven. With both sides sitting on nine points and pushing for knockout positioning, the game state will remain open. Celta’s momentum at Balaídos combined with Lille’s 10-goal European total makes the net bulging at both ends the most probable outcome.
What could go wrong?
Lille have struggled for goals in away European fixtures, averaging only 0.33 goals per game on the road in this competition. If Celta Vigo’s suspension-hit midfield fails to provide the usual service to Iglesias and Aspas, the match could transform into a stagnant possession exercise for Lille that lacks clinical finishing in the final third.
Correct Score Lean
Celta Vigo 2-1 Lille
Celta Vigo are currently playing with an intensity that matches their home crowd’s energy at Balaídos. Their 2026 scoring streak of 11 goals in three games indicates they have the firepower to overcome a Lille side that has suffered recent defeats to PSG and Rennes. While Lille’s aerial strength and possession should yield a goal through Giroud or a set-piece situation, Celta’s efficiency in transition and through-ball accuracy will likely provide the winning margin. A 2-1 result reflects the attacking profile of both teams while rewarding Celta’s superior momentum.
Selected Bookmakers Offers
| |
New cust. Deposit £10+ in 7 days & bet on sports. Min odds apply. Reward = 4 x £10 Free Bets (2 x £10 Bet Builders & 2 x £10 Sports bet). Valid 7 days. Free bets not valid on e-sports & non UK/IE horse racing. 18+. T&Cs apply. | |
| |
Open Account Offer - New Customers only. Bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between £5 and £10 to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs , time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required. #Ad. 18+ Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
| |
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. | |
| |
New cust only. Opt-in required. Deposit & place a bet within 7 days and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater to be credited with 3 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 football. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non-UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. Acca Club: Available to new & existing customers. 3 or more selections. Min Odds: 3/10 (1.3) per leg. Max stake: £500. Max Winnings: £200,000 per boost. Profit Boost amounts vary. Horse Racing, Greyhounds & Trotting excluded. Exclusions apply. Full T&C’s apply. 18+ GambleAware.org. | |
 | |
New members only. £10+ bet on sports (ex. Virtuals) 1.5 min odds, settled within 14 days. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days; £20 use on sportsbook, £10 on Bet Builder. Stake not returned. T&Cs.+ deposit exclusions apply #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
| |
New bettors. Select bonus at signup or use code SPORT. Wager deposit & bonus 8x. Max qualifying bet = bonus. Valid 60 days. Odds, bet & payment limits apply. T&Cs Apply; 18+ | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
New customers only, 18+. Min deposit £10. Place a £50 bet on any sport at 2.0+ to qualify for £25 in free bets and 10 Free Spins. Free Bets and Spins valid 7 days. £0.10 Free Spins. T&Cs apply. Please bet responsibly. #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
| |
New members only. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook (ex. virtuals), placed & settled at 1.5 min odds in 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days, use on sportsbook only (ex. virtuals), stakes not returned. T&Cs Apply and deposit exclusions apply. Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
 | |
18+ New customers only. Opt in, and bet £10 on football markets (odds 2.00+). No cash out. Get 6x£5 football free bets at specified odds for set markets, which expire after 7 days. Offer valid from 12:00 UK Time on 25/08/2023. Card payments only. T&Cs Apply | gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly #Ad. 18+Only, gambleaware.org | |
