With Bayern Munich losing to PSG in the Champions League, and Rayo Vallecano defeating Strasbourg to reach the Conference League final, Spain has received a fifth Champions League spot for next season â and Celta can push Real Betis to the end for fifth place, which now carries with it an immense reward.
As things stand, Celta will qualify to the Europa Leagueâs league phase. However, being just six points off Real Betis in fifth, Claudio GirĂĄldezâs squad are going to be aiming for more. Either way, the Celtiña look to be in a good spot to improve from their seventh place finish last season and look primed to participate in a European competition next season after reaching the Europa league quarterfinals this year.
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Celtaâs players to watch include Borja Iglesias, the Spain international with 13 goals this season. Newcomers Ilaix Moriba and Ferran JutglĂ , from RB Leipzig and Club Brugge respectively, have also impressed in their debut seasons at the club.
Miguel RomĂĄn, MatĂas Vecino and Carl Starfelt will miss the match through their respective injuries, and Javi Rueda will be absent due to yellow card accumulation.
Team news
Coming off Tuesdayâs defeat against Arsenal, many were confused as to why JuliĂĄn Alvarez was subbed off prior to the full-time whistle. The knock he suffered in the first leg of that time appeared to be bothering him again, and he already has been ruled out for Saturdayâs game.
In more bad news on the injury front, Johnny Cardoso had to retire from Thursdayâs training session with a high-grade ankle sprain. The Americanâs first season at the club comes to an end, and his World Cup participation could be at risk too.
Additional absentees from training are Pablo Barrios, Nico GonzĂĄlez and Giuliano Simeone. While the injuries to Barrios and Nico are not new, itâs interesting to see Giuliano not training as normal. The 23-year-oldâs form has taken a nosedive in the second half of the season, and a nagging injury could be the cause.
After impressing in his first team debut, Iker Luqueappears close to joining Rayo Vallecano, either on loan or via a purchase of 50 percent of his rights. The 20-year-old attacker wonât be the last of the many cantera debutants this season to draw Primera interest in the summer.
The last time these two clubs faced off was earlier this season in LaLiga. The match ended 1-1 at the
Estadio de BalaĂdos.
**Prediction:**3-1, Atleti win. Antoine Griezmann loves to score against Celta de Vigo, with 11 total goals, so look for a goal from him. Expect Alexander SĂžrloth to score as well, I predict that he scores a brace. Iglesias will score for the visitors.
