Celta Vigo welcome in-form Atletico Madrid to Estadio de Balaídos for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Sunday. The visitors appear to be building momentum in recent weeks, while the hosts are still searching for their first league win of the season.
Celta Vigo are coming off a 3-1 home victory over PAOK in their opening UEFA Europa League fixture. They fought back from behind with goals from Iago Aspas, Borja Iglesias and Williot Swedberg earning them the win.
That was the first win for Celta Vigo across all competitions this season, as they are without a victory in La Liga this season. Claudio Giraldez's men suffered a 2-1 defeat at Elche in their previous league fixture.
After enduring a slow start to the season, Atletico Madrid appear to be turning their fortunes around. Diego Simeone's men have won their last three matches across all competitions and are now up to sixth in the table.
Atletico Madrid earned an impressive 5-2 victory over local rivals Real Madrid in their previous La Liga fixture, with Julian Alvarez scoring a brace. They followed up that result with another five-goal haul, beating Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the UEFA Champions League.
How the bookies view it: Atletico overwhelming favourites
Atletico Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites, with BoyleSports offering 3/4 for an away victory. Celta Vigo are considered outsiders, with a home win priced at 11/4 while a draw is also set at odds of 11/4.
Head to head: Atletico on top
Atletico Madrid have a 22-7 advantage, with eight draws from the last 37 matches against Celta Vigo. The Madrid club claimed a 1-0 away victory on their visit to the Estadio de Balaídos last season.
Players to watch: Unstoppable Alvarez
Julian Alvarez has been almost unstoppable lately, finding the net seven times in the last four matches in all competitions. The striker will be keen to maintain his scoring run (Julian Alvarez anytime goalscorer – available at 11/8 with BoyleSports).
Borja Iglesias has caught the eye for Celta Vigo this season, with six goals in all competitions. The striker will carry much of the attacking threat on Sunday (Borja Iglesias anytime goalscorer – offered at odds 11/4).
Probable line-ups:
Mihailo Ristic and Sergio Carreira are currently sidelined with injury and will miss out for Celta Vigo. Aspas, Iglesias and Swedberg should continue up front following their goals in the Europa League, while Marcos Alonso is set to feature at the back.
Jose Gimenez and Thiago Almada are both ruled out with injury, while Alexander Sorloth is doubtful after missing the win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Alvarez should continue leading the line while Robin Le Normand is set to start at the heart of defence.
Celta Vigo: Radu, Alonso, Starfelt, Fernandez, Rueda, Rodriguez, Moriba, Mingueza, Aspas, Iglesias, Swedberg
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Ruggeri, Lenglet, Le Normand, Llorente, Simeone, Gallagher, Barrios, Griezmann, Raspadori, Alvarez
Anything else catch the eye?
Atletico Madrid’s last three matches have produced over 3.5 goals – valued at 2/1 by BoyleSports, who are also offering 3/4 for over 2.5 goals. Both teams have scored in the visitors' last five matches (BTTS YES – valued at 7/10).
Atletico Madrid have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last five matches (Atletico Madrid over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 20/23). The hosts have also scored in both halves in their last three matches (Atletico Madrid to score in both halves – priced at 9/5).
GambleAware