Celta Vigo begin the new season in La Liga with a home game against Getafe. Balaidos was a fortress for the Galicians last term, so they’ll be hungry to make a positive start.
Claudio Giraldez has done a fantastic job in Vigo, promoting a host of young players to the senior squad, and delivering European qualification last term. He has real depth to call upon, which should stand them in good stead when they make their Europa League bow next month.
They’ve strengthened their attack over the summer months, with the additions of Bryan Zaragoza and Ferran Jutgla, although pre-season results have been mixed, with three wins and three defeats.
As for Getafe, they are gearing up for another campaign under Pepe Bordalas after a bottom-half finish in La Liga 2024/25. They were never in serious relegation danger though, and the objective will be to steer well clear of trouble again.
They look to have done some reasonably good business, by adding the likes of Yvan Neyou, Abdel Abqar and Kiko Femenia on free transfers, but scoring goals could be an issue once more after the South Madrid club netted only 0.89 per game on average in the league last term.
How the bookies view it: Celta expected to bag the points
Celta are the 4/6 favourites to win this match with Boylesports. They look worthy of that given their excellent home record last term, when they won 58% of their fixtures in Galicia. If you see it going a different way, you can back Getafe to win at 9/2, while the draw is priced 23/10.
Recent head-to-head: Clubs meet again after final-day showdown
These sides met on the final day of last season, with Celta winning 2-1 at the Coliseum to seal their place in Europe. Getafe have avoided defeat on three of their last four trips to Galicia, although they were beaten 1-0 on this ground on their last visit.
Players to watch: Aspas still going strong
Even at the age of 38, Iago Aspas is still an important player for Celta, and so often their chief attacking threat. He averaged a goal contribution every 116 minutes last term in La Liga, a brilliant record, reaching double figures once more for goals. You can back Aspas to score or assist at 11/10 with PaddyPower in this game.
Predicted Lineups
Young forward Pablo Duran is the only injury doubt for Celta, who may start with new signing Jutgla up top.
Getafe have two suspended players for matchday one, with Alex Sancris and Domingos Duarte unavailable. New signing Femenia is injured, while forwards Juanmi and Borja Mayoral are rated doubtful.
Celta Vigo: Radu, Alonso, Starfelt, J. Rodriguez, Mingueza, Moriba, Beltran, Rueda, Zaragoza, Aspas, Jutgla.
Getafe: Soria, Davinchi, Rico, Djene, Iglesias, Coba, Milla, Martin, Arambarri, Liso, Uche.
Anything else catch the eye?
With their best striker Mayoral rated doubtful, Getafe have big problems up top heading into this game, and may need to use midfielder Christantus Uche as an emergency striker once more. It’s hard to see where their goal threat is going to come from, and you can back the visitors to score under 0.5 goals at 10/11 with Boylesports.
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