Barcelona vs Celta Vigo tips: Catalans to build on five-star performances
- Sergiu Baltuta
- 22 September 2023
Football tipster Sergiu Baltuta thinks Barcelona will make light work of Celta Vigo when they clash in La Liga on Saturday evening (1730 BST).
Barcelona followed up their 5-0 league win over Real Betis with a similarly emphatic 5-0 victory over Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Champions League.
It was the Catalans' most convincing victories under Xavi, both in La Liga and in the Champions League.
Next up for Barca is a home game against Celta Vigo, who have only won once in their opening five league matches.
After a 0-0 draw in the first round, the home side have won five consecutive matches this season, with the last two being particularly dominant.
Xavi's team is starting to look very promising, particularly after the arrivals of the two Joaos, Felix and Cancelo, who have scored four goals between them in the last two games.
Suggested bet: Barcelona -1.5 Asian Handicap
On the other hand, Celta, who lost Gabri Veiga to Saudi Arabia, has had a disappointing start to the season, collecting only four points in the first five rounds and sitting in 16th place in the league.
Barcelona will try to capitalize on their current good form and put pressure on Real Madrid, who will play their city rivals Atletico away this round.
They’ll also look to avenge a surprising defeat where visitors Celta beat them 2-1 at Balaidos late last season. This was Celta Vigo’s only win away to Barcelona in nine matches.
In seven of the last eight matches between these two teams, there have been more than 2.5 goals scored. In six of those matches, both teams have scored.
Suggested bet: Barcelona to score Over 2.5 Goals
Barca may not being played at Camp Nou right now, but it’s still worth noting that a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad is the only defeat suffered in 21 matches at home.
Despite beating Almeria 3-2 in their most recent outing, Celta have struggled on their travels. O Celtina were winless in seven matches prior to that result.
Celta Vigo manager Rafael Benitez has a record of four wins, one draw, and eight defeats against Barcelona. His last victory came in 2007 when he was manager of Liverpool.
Benitez’s last meeting with Barca saw him suffer a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the Bernabeu against a side led by Luis Enrique.
Barcelona has the league's best attack (13 goals) and second-best defence (4 goals conceded), while Celta Vigo has the league's second-worst attack (4 goals scored) and second-worst defence (7 goals conceded).
