Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid
A new La Liga season is about to start and what better way to kick off the year than with a slew of action-packed fixtures.
One of which is the upcoming match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid – two teams who are on opposite sides of the table last season.
Celta Vigo will look to improve on their campaign last season by hosting Los Blancos at home in the Balaidos.
On the other hand, Real Madrid are looking to turn things around after a putrid pre-season. Team manager Zinedine Zidane must be feeling the pressure right now as he tries to lift Los Blancos to championship anew.
With a sold-out crowd anticipating this matchup, SBOBET looks on what’s ahead for these two clubs that might provide some of the best La Liga 2019 highlights on Saturday.
Talking Points
Can Celta Vigo rise above the table this time?
The Celtics staved off relegation last season by just five points and for sure they would like to go further in the upcoming season.
Team manager Fran Escriba has made eleven signings over the summer with emphasis on bolstering their attack. After all, Celta Vigo’s fortunes last season were heavily reliant on the availability of main man Iago Aspas.
The growing legend of Aspas still remains with Celta Vigo. The 32-year-old striker tallied 20 goals and six assists last season and he continues to be a thorn on the side of opposing defences. All in all, Aspas put in 75 goals in 128 games while playing for the squad.
Returning for Celta is a rising star in Brais Mendez. Last season, the 21-year-old was responsible for 13 goals and emerged as the team’s top playmaker.
Following a failed loan to Arsenal, forwards Santi Mina and Denis Suarez will provide additional depth and quality. Both are expected to play on Saturday versus Real.
The management has done a great job of establishing a better cast of players this time around, increasing their La Liga 2019 odds of surpassing last season’s finish. It’s just a matter of developing their young core while remaining healthy throughout the long year ahead.
Expect for them to at least reach for the middle third of the table at season’s end.
Zinedine Zidane continues to be in the hot seat for Real
Real Madrid is clearly thirsty for championship anew which is why they made a variety of transactions over the past summer with Zidane at the helm.
Los Blancos signed the likes of Luka Jovic, Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Brahim Diaz, and Eden Hazard – who has been underwhelming so far for the team.
The team experienced a miserable summer, capped by key losses against Tottenham and Atletico Madrid. While fans are quick to blame Zidane for such, much of their misfortunes can be attributed to their players getting injured.
Marco Asensio will be sidelined indefinitely due to a ruptured ACL in their match against Arsenal at the International Champions Cup, while Ferland Mendy and Brahim Diaz are both dealing with their own injuries as well.
All hope is not lost for Real though, as the door has opened for Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale to be inserted at the starting XI and provide quality.
What about Gareth Bale?
Speaking of Gareth Bale, it must be confusing for him right now given his current situation.
Days ago, the Welsh footballer almost went to Jiangsu Suning club in China for a three-year deal, only for him to pull the plug.
His frosty relationship with his team manager didn’t help either as Zidane last month really pushed for his exit due to the difference of their play-style preferences.
Or so we thought.
Just two days ago, Zidane made an interesting statement regarding his current relationship with the beleaguered striker.
“James (Rodriguez) and Bale are players of the squad. They are both registered, but anything can happen and I, as a coach of Real Madrid, must count on them. I count on them 100 per cent,” said Zidane.
With multiple players at sickbay, it might be high time for the French manager to give Bale a chance this time.
History
These two clubs have met 33 times where Real Madrid have won 21 in those matches. Celta Vigo were victorious seven times and there have been four draws between them.
Los Blancos dominated Celta in their two games last season. Real scored a 4-2 win back in November last year and a 2-0 home victory last March.
Betting Tip
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Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid | Real Madrid Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.82 |
| August 17, 23:00 (GMT+8) |
Even with their share of struggles over the past few weeks, Los Blancos’ firepower may be too much for the up-and-coming Celta Vigo squad.
The combo of Eden Hazard and Karim Benzema would surely give Celta’s defence fits, and their defence would be much more solid with Sergio Ramos back.
For Celta manager Fran Escriba, putting up a good fight is a victory in itself for the team. They will have to learn on how to generate offence with or without Iago Aspas.
Real Madrid is primed to get a 2-1 victory in this game.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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