Celta Vigo aim to get back on track in La Liga this Sunday when they host Deportivo Alavés at the Municipal de Balaídos. The match, corresponding to the ninth matchday, represents a key opportunity for the sky-blue team to add points after their UEFA Europa League defeat.
The Vigo-based side approaches the clash from ninth place in the table, with 8 points from a possible 24. Their record of 1 win, 5 draws and 2 losses in the domestic competition reflects a need for greater consistency. Alavés, meanwhile, arrive as the seventh-placed team with 11 points, promising a very even contest. The last time they met, on March 22nd, the game was a goal festival that ended with a 3-4 away win.
Recent form and probable lineups
Celta are coming off a 1-2 loss to Juventus in Europe last Thursday, a result that ended a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions. In the league, their last result was a goalless draw against Elche. The team led by Claudio Giráldez usually deploys a 3-4-3, with a defence formed by Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago and Marcos Alonso, and a midfield where Moriba and Aleix Febas provide balance.
Up front, the attack typically consists of Hugo Álvarez, Ferran Jutglà and Williot Swedberg, who provided the assist for Celta's goal against the Italians. Alavés, who lost their last league match to Atlético de Madrid, will likely repeat their 3-5-2 setup with players like Blanco and Luis Rioja in midfield. In defence, Abdel Abqar, Rafa Marín and Javi López are set to start.
Match details and context
The match is scheduled for Sunday, October 18th at 16:15 local time in Vigo and will be broadcast live on DAZN LaLiga. For Celta, this home game is key ahead of a busy October schedule. With the team 16 points off the top, every point is valuable to close in on European positions. Alavés, for their part, want to get back to winning ways in the league after two matchdays without a victory. Celta's last league win at Balaídos was a resounding 5-0 against Racing Santander in mid-September. The referee appointed for the match is Miguel Ángel Ortiz Arias from the Madrid Committee.
