Overview
Only Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have lost fewer La Liga games than Celta Vigo this season. They have lost just two of their 11 games, but too many draws (seven) have cost Celta their chances of rising in the table.
Coach Claudio Giraldez's team has a record of 2 wins, 7 draws and 2 losses, earning 13 points and ranking 12th.They entered this match in excellent form, winning all 5 recent matches in all competitions and remaining unbeaten in the last 8 matches.
In addition to 2 wins in La Liga, Celta also won 3 matches in Europa League and 2-0 against Puerto de Vega in Copa del Rey.
With a high spirit, Celta will enter the match confidently and find a way to exploit the problems in Barcelona's defense.
Barcelona are playing very well in the opponent's half, but the Catalan team's defense is still a clear weakness. They have conceded 13 goals in 11 La Liga games and three against Club Brugge in a 3-3 draw in the Champions League in midweek.
After 11 rounds, Barcelona won 8, drew 1 and lost 2, with 25 points, ranking second on the rankings, 5 points behind Real Madrid. If Los Blancos beat Rayo Vallecano, the gap will widen to 8 points.
Hansi Flick's side have lost two of their last four league games, but have won three of their last four meetings with Celta, including a 4-3 win in April. Last season's match at Vigo ended in a 2-2 draw, and Celta won 2-1 at home to Barca in the 2022-2023 season.
Personnel situation
Celta will continue to be without the services of Williot Swedberg and Javi Rueda due to injury, while Hugo Alvarez and Ionut Andrei Radu will also be absent.
Radu has a problem with his hand, so Ivan Villar - who has played in 2 of Celta's last 3 matches in all competitions - will start.
Pablo Duran scored twice against Dinamo Zagreb in the Europa League in midweek, but the striker is expected to be on the bench against Barcelona to give up the lead of the attack to Borja Iglesias.
As for Barcelona, Gavi (knee), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back), Raphinha (hamstring) and Pedri (hamstring) are still unable to play this weekend.
Joan Garcia and Andreas Christensen are both making great progress in their recovery from knee and calf injuries. Both are likely to be in the squad this weekend.
Eric Garcia was reported to have a broken nose in the previous match against Club Brugge and will be sidelined. Therefore, Pau Cubarsi is expected to return to the center-back position in the match against Celta Vigo.
Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo are both struggling to get a starting spot after injury, but both are expected to start from the bench.
Expected lineup:
Celta Vigo: Villar, Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso, Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Carreira, Jutgla, Iglesias, Zaragoza.
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, Casado, De Jong, Yamal, Fermin, Rashford, Torres.
The match between Celta Vigo and Barcelona takes place at 3:00 am on November 10 (Vietnam time).
