Celta de Vigo will take on Atletico Madrid in La Liga on Thursday, 16 September in a match that the visitors can't afford to lose as Barcelona drift away from them at the top of the table.
Atletico are expected to challenge for the league title this season after a heavy summer transfer window that saw them spend close to £200m. However, they have already dropped six points this season and are at risk of being cut adrift if they fail to win on Thursday.
The hosts are only three points behind Atletico as things stand so they could leapfrog them with a win here.
How the bookies view it: Atletico go in as favourites
Despite their mixed start to the season, Atletico Madrid are still the favourites to win this match. Betfred have priced a win for the visitors at 19/20 while a victory for Celta de Vigo has been priced at 11/4. The draw, which would be the host's first of the season, has been priced at 13/5.
Recent head-to-head: Atletico dominance
Atletico Madrid need to win on Thursday so they will be buoyed by their recent record against Celta de Vigo. Diego Simeone's men have won their last six matches against Vigo and are unbeaten in their last eleven.
Celta de Vigo's last victory over Atletico Madrid came in 2018 when they won 2-0 in a home match played in September. They will be hoping that is a good omen ahead of Thursday.
Players to watch: Attack vs defence
This match puts together one of the league's highest scorers teams against the team that has conceded the fewest goals so far. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona have outscored Celta de Vigo so far while nobody has conceded fewer goals than Simeone's dogged Atletico.
Vigo's two most prolific players this season are two of the most experienced players in the squad – Iago Aspas and Borja Iglesias. Aspas, a certified club legend at the age of 37, has netted three goals and provided two assists so far while Iglesias has scored three in his four most recent appearances.
The duo haven't started many games together, with Iglesias in particular being used frequently as a super sub but they will be the two men most likely to break through the rock-solid Atleti defence.
Simeone has always built his team around a strong backline and this season, they look as strong as ever. At the heart of the defence are Reinildo, Cesar Azpilicueta and Axel Witsel. All three men are also in their 30s so a battle between five experienced pros is definitely on the cards.
Predicted line-ups
Celta de Vigo will be without Oscar Mingueza due to injury but the rest of the squad is fighting fit. Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul, Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar are all doubts for Atletico but Simeone is expected to recall Antoine Griezmann after he was rested at the weekend.
Celta de Vigo: Guaita – Starfelt, Jailson, Rodriguez – Alonso, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez – Swedbeg, Aspas – Iglesias
Atletico Madrid: Oblak – Reinildo, Witsl, Azpilicueta – Riquelme, Gallagher, Koke, Llorente, Molina – Griezmann, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Celta de Vigo will throw caution to the wind on Thursday. At least three goals have been scored in all of their La Liga matches so far this season with goals going in at both ends in each one. Atletico have been a lot more reserved but both teams have scored in their last two matches. Both teams to score on Thursday has been priced at 8/13 by Betfred.
This La Liga match between Celta de Vigo and Atletico Madrid will be played on Sep 26, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Celta de Vigo vs Atletico Madrid prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
