Barcelona will be aiming to strengthen their grip at the top of the table in Spain as they travel to Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday. The Catalans are still unbeaten in the league this season and should maintain their fine record over Celta who are having an erratic campaign.
After the midweek disappointment in the Champions League, Barcelona will be keen to show a reaction as they return to La Liga. The task will be to strengthen their grip on top spot and fend off bitter rivals Real Madrid, who are only behind on goal difference.
It has been a solid La Liga campaign so far for Barcelona who are unbeaten after seven matches. They have claimed six victories in that run and won 1-0 at Mallorca in their previous fixture with Robert Lewandowski's first half effort proving the difference.
One impressive thing about Barcelona’s fine campaign is that Camp Nou appears to be regaining its status as a fortress. Xavi’s men are unbeaten at home this season and head into Sunday’s clash with a 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad and a 3-0 triumph over Elche in their last two home La Liga fixtures.
Celta Vigo travel to Camp Nou off the back of a 1-0 victory over Real Betis in their previous La Liga fixture. They struck early in the contest through Gabri Veiga and were able to fend off the visitors and hold on for the win.
That was a much-needed win for Celta Vigo as it ended a run of two straight La Liga defeats. However, it was not enough to pull Eduard Coudet's men out of the bottom half of the table, although they are now 11th, just one point off the top 10.
One problem that persists for Celta is their poor record on the road as they have claimed just one win away from home all season. However, that win came in Catalonia where they beat Girona 1-0 with Iago Aspas getting the goal.
How the bookies view it
The bookies have Barcelona as overwhelming favourites with a home win priced at 4/13 by SBK. A victory for Celta Vigo is valued at 10/1 by William Hill while bet365 is offering odds of 5/1 for a draw.
Head to head
Barcelona have a 25-11 advantage with 14 draws from 50 previous matches against Celta Vigo. The Catalans have won four of the last five home meetings and triumphed 3-1 in the most recent fixture at Camp Nou back in May.
Players to watch
Robert Lewandowski remains the biggest goal threat for Barcelona and heads into Sunday’s clash looking to add to his nine La Liga goals this season. The Polish striker is priced at odds of 4/6 by bet365 to get on the score sheet.
Celta Vigo will once again be relying on Iago Aspas, who is their top scorer with five goals in seven matches this season. The striker has also found the net three times in his last two matches against Barcelona and is priced at 15/4 by bet365 to maintain his scoring run.
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona’s home matches this season have been one-sided and they could be backed in the -1 handicap market at 5/6 with BoyleSports. The Catalans have won both halves in their last three home matches across all competitions and are priced at 15/8 by Paddy Power for a similar outcome.
Four of Lewandowski’s nine goals this season have been the opener and the striker could be backed to score first on Sunday at 9/4 with bet365.
This La Liga match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo will be played on and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Barcelona vs Celta Vigo prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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