Celta Vigo vs Alaves Preview: Team News, Predicted Lineups and La Liga Prediction. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Celta Vigo's recent matches have been low scoring, with eight of their last ten league games featuring under 3 goals. Their strong defensive record and goalkeeper's clean sheets support a tight game. Alaves' low possession and reliance on counterattacks further suggest a controlled, low-scoring match.
A 1-1 draw fits Celta's frequent draws and Alaves' scoring ability. Both teams have limitations in attack and defence, making a tight, balanced scoreline likely.
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REGISTER FREE & UNLOCK TIP →Already registered? Log in18+ · Historical results only. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Betting involves risk.Compare form, H2H, goals trends and key data for Celta Vigo v Alaves.
Celta Vigo welcome Alaves to Abanca-Balaídos on Sunday, 18 October, with both sides looking to turn contrasting starts to the La Liga season into greater consistency.
Celta Vigo vs Alaves — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Celta Vigo and Alaves arrive with similar form, leaving fine margins likely to decide the result.
Celta Vigo and Alaves bring similar scoring profiles, leaving the totals market finely poised.
Celta Vigo carry the stronger defensive profile, while Alaves remain vulnerable in the likely scoreline.
Alaves create more chances, leaving Celta Vigo under pressure to match their attacking tempo.
Three Punchy Stats
- Five unbeaten: Celta have avoided defeat in their previous five La Liga fixtures.
- Eight from 10: Celta's last 10 league matches have featured under 2.5 goals on eight occasions.
- Five in seven: Lucas Boye has scored five goals in seven appearances for Alaves this season.
Attacking Output
Recent attacking records for Celta Vigo and Alaves are shown below.
Defensive Stability
Recent defensive records for Celta Vigo and Alaves are shown below.
Claudio Giraldez's hosts sit ninth with eight points from eight matches, while Quique Sanchez Flores' Alaves occupy seventh place on 11 points. However, recent results suggest the gap between these teams is narrower than the standings indicate.
Celta are unbeaten in five league matches but have struggled to convert draws into victories. Alaves, meanwhile, have lost three of their previous four league fixtures after making an impressive start.
Celta Vigo Seeking Greater Attacking Consistency
Celta's league record of one victory, five draws and two defeats highlights their biggest problem: turning competitive performances into three points.
Their recent 0-0 draw against Elche extended their unbeaten league sequence, although the performance raised questions about attacking creativity. Giraldez's side managed just 34% possession and failed to register a shot on target.
That display contrasted sharply with their emphatic 5-0 victory over Racing de Santander, demonstrating the attacking potential available when Celta find space and establish control.
Defensively, their record remains encouraging. Six goals conceded across eight league fixtures represents a solid foundation, while goalkeeper Ionut Andrei Radu has registered five clean sheets across the team's last 10 league matches.
European commitments could complicate preparations. Thursday's 2-1 Europa League defeat against Juventus followed an earlier 1-0 loss to Omonia, leaving Celta searching for momentum before next week's meeting with Celtic.
Managing fatigue while maintaining attacking intensity will therefore be particularly important.
Alaves Looking to Arrest Their Decline
Alaves began the campaign impressively, collecting 10 points from their opening four league fixtures.
However, their subsequent results have exposed vulnerabilities, with defeats against Racing de Santander, Valencia and Atletico Madrid contributing to a difficult spell.
Their latest setback came against Atletico, who secured a 2-1 victory despite Lucas Boye finding the net.
Sanchez Flores' side managed only 31% possession in that encounter, illustrating their willingness to operate without sustained control of the ball.
Nevertheless, Alaves possess greater attacking productivity than their opponents. They have scored 12 league goals compared with Celta's eight, although they have also conceded two more.
Boye remains their standout attacking threat, contributing five goals in seven appearances.
The visitors can also draw confidence from last season's dramatic 4-3 victory at Balaídos, although Celta have won six of the previous 10 meetings between the clubs.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Celta face several selection problems, with Borja Iglesias, Carl Starfelt, Miguel Roman and Jones El Abdellaoui unavailable through injury.
Pablo Duran is also doubtful, potentially increasing the attacking responsibility on Ferran Jutgla, who has scored once in 10 appearances.
Giraldez could deploy a three-man defence, with Ilaix Moriba and Aleix Febas providing central midfield support.
Alaves will be without injured pair Facundo Garces and Mikel Rodriguez, while Angel Perez serves a suspension following his dismissal against Atletico Madrid.
Boye should lead the attack alongside Toni Martinez, with Sanchez Flores expected to favour a compact defensive structure.
Celta Vigo predicted XI (3-4-3): Radu; Nunez, Lago, Alonso; Rueda, Febas, Moriba, Galan; Alvarez, Jutgla, Gonzalez.
Alaves predicted XI (5-3-2): Sivera; Otto, Koski, Valentini, Tenaglia, Ibanez, Blanco, Suarez, Rebbach; Martinez, Boye.
Tactical Analysis and Match Prediction
Celta's ability to dominate territory without sacrificing defensive stability could determine this encounter.
Their average possession of 50.7% across the last 10 league matches contrasts with Alaves' 40.3%, suggesting the hosts may enjoy more of the ball.
However, possession alone offers little guarantee of attacking success, particularly given Celta's struggles against Elche.
Alaves should remain dangerous through Boye, whose finishing provides an outlet when opportunities are limited.
With both teams experiencing difficulties sustaining momentum, a tightly contested match appears likely.
Prediction: Celta Vigo 1-1 Alaves.
📊 Market Explainer
Total Goals Market
Selection: Under 2.5 Goals. This market is settled by the combined number of goals in normal time. The selected line determines how many goals are needed for the bet to win.
Correct Score Market
Selection: Celta Vigo vs Alaves 1-1. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.
🎯 Pick 1: Under 2.5 Goals @ 8/13
Celta Vigo’s recent league matches have strongly skewed towards low goal counts, making the Under 2.5 Goals market the most logical approach to this fixture. Eight of their previous ten league games have featured fewer than three goals, underpinned by a resilient defensive foundation. Goalkeeper Ionut Andrei Radu has registered five clean sheets across that ten-match sequence. Conceding just six times in eight league fixtures this season gives the hosts a stable base, preventing opponents from forcing open, high-scoring matches.
That defensive solidity meets an Alaves side comfortable operating without the ball, as evidenced by their 31% possession against Atletico Madrid. While Celta average 50.7% possession across their last ten matches compared to the visitors’ 40.3%, Claudio Giraldez’s men have found it difficult to translate that territorial control into consistent chances. Their recent 0-0 draw against Elche, where they failed to register a single shot on target despite holding the ball, illustrates the attacking friction that often leads to a congested midfield battle.
The primary threat to a low goal count comes from Alaves forward Lucas Boye, who has contributed five goals in seven appearances and found the net even in defeat against Atletico. Celta also demonstrated their attacking ceiling earlier in the season with a 5-0 victory over Racing de Santander. However, with Celta managing European fatigue following a 2-1 defeat to Juventus and missing attacking options like Borja Iglesias, their focus will likely remain on structure. The hosts’ established pattern of tight matches and Alaves’ recent sequence of three defeats in four points towards a controlled, low-scoring encounter.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Eight of Celta Vigo's previous ten league matches have featured fewer than three total goals.
- Celta Vigo have conceded only six goals across eight league fixtures this season.
- Alaves managed just 31% possession in their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Risk Factor: Alaves have scored 12 league goals this term, and Lucas Boye's sharp form could break the match open if Celta concede early.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Averaging 50.7% possession across their last 10 league matches, dictating the tempo primarily on home soil.
Averaging just 40.3% possession, dropping as low as 31% against Atletico, leaving them reliant on isolated transitions.
⚔️ Pick 2: Celta Vigo vs Alaves 1-1 @ 9/2
A 1-1 draw aligns perfectly with Celta Vigo’s recent habit of remaining competitive without securing victories. The hosts are unbeaten in five league matches but have recorded five draws across their eight fixtures this season. Despite failing to register a shot on target in their recent goalless draw with Elche, Celta have the capacity to score at home, having netted eight times overall and previously dismantled Racing de Santander 5-0. With Alaves conceding ten goals across their opening eight fixtures, the home side should find a way through the visitors’ defensive structure.
Alaves possess the attacking productivity to ensure they also register on the scoresheet. Quique Sanchez Flores’ side have scored 12 league goals this term, four more than Celta. Lucas Boye represents a reliable focal point, arriving with five goals in seven appearances and proving capable of scoring even during their 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Despite losing three of their last four matches, Alaves remain dangerous and previously triumphed 4-3 at Balaidos last season, demonstrating precedent for scoring away from home in this fixture.
Predicting a precise 1-1 draw relies on both teams maintaining their current limitations. Celta’s absences, including Borja Iglesias and potentially Pablo Duran, place heavy pressure on Ferran Jutgla, who has scored just once in ten appearances. This attacking friction prevents them from pulling away in matches, while Alaves’ recent defensive vulnerabilities prevent them from securing clean sheets. With Celta managing fatigue from their Europa League defeat to Juventus, a tightly contested fixture where both sides manage one goal each represents a logical synthesis of their respective records.
Risk Factor: A Correct Score bet is fragile; an early goal could stretch the match or lead to a 1-0 result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Under 2.5 Goals mean in betting?
The match must have two or fewer total goals scored to win this bet.
How does the Correct Score market settle?
It wins only if the exact predicted scoreline is the final result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
Why is Celta Vigo's defensive record relevant to this match?
Celta have conceded only six goals in eight league games, supporting a low-scoring match.
What happens to a Match Result bet if the game ends in a draw?
The bet loses unless you specifically back 'The Draw' outcome.
Why are Alaves a threat despite recent losses?
Alaves have scored 12 league goals, with Lucas Boye in excellent scoring form.
How might Celta Vigo's European schedule impact this fixture?
Fatigue from recent Europa League matches may force Celta to prioritise defensive structure.
