Will the Basques’ run continue in Galicia?
On the first matchday of the 2021/22 season, Real Sociedad conceded a 4-2 away defeat at FC Barcelona. After that, however, the Basques remained unbeaten in twelve consecutive league games. Not only are they on course for a place in the Europa League intermediate round. They are also the current leaders in La Liga.
The men from Donostia-San Sebastián travel to Galicia with a broad chest, where they could defend their lead in the table with another win. The odds are evenly balanced ahead of the matchday eleven encounter between Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad.
It should be noted that things have not gone too well for the Celtiñas at home to Abanca Balaídos so far. The Galicians have lost four of their five home games in league play in the 2021/22 season and thus only occupy 18th place in the home table. Accordingly, it is good to bet on an away win for the Basques in Celta Vigo against Real Sociedad.
Celta Vigo – Statistics & current form
Since the summer of 2012, Real Club Celta de Vigo have been an uninterrupted fixture in Spain’s top flight. In the summer of 2016, the Celtiñas finished sixth in the final table and qualified for the Europa League, where they advanced to the semifinals.
Most recently, they finished the 2020/21 season in a secure mid-table position in eighth place for the first time after two very difficult years with a relegation battle right to the end. Accordingly, coach Eduardo Coudet is sitting firmly in the saddle.
Ten points out of a possible 30 from the first ten league games
At least for the time being, because the Celestes made a real false start to the new season. The Galicians took just one point out of a possible 15 from their first five league games before winning three of their last five, despite two more defeats.
In total, they have ten points out of a possible 30, which is only enough for 15th place in the current table. At the same time, the cushion on a direct relegation place is just three points.
Lost four of their five home games in league play
Nevertheless, the mood at the Celtiñas could be considerably worse, especially since the so far hardly penetrating offensive found its scoring touch again on Monday of all days. The Galicians won 3-0 away to bottom side Getafe, their first convincing victory of the young season.
Now it is up to the Celestes to bring exactly that scoring threat, which was ultimately also due to the fact that they were outnumbered for half an hour, onto the pitch again in order to improve their poor home record.
Predicted line-up of Celta Vigo:
Dituro – Galán – Murillo – Aidoo – Mallo – Beltrán – Nolito – Suárez – Méndez – Aspas – Mina
Last matches played by Celta Vigo:
LaLiga
10/25 2021 – Getafe 0 – 3 Celta Vigo
10/17 2021 – Celta Vigo 0 – 1 Sevilla
10/03 2021 – Elche 1 – 0 Celta Vigo
09/27 2021 – Celta Vigo 1 – 0 Granada
09/21 2021 – Levante 0 – 2 Celta Vigo
Real Sociedad – Statistics & current form
Real Sociedad de Fútbol, based in Donostia-San Sebastián, have won the Spanish Championship twice before in 1981 and 1982. Since then, however, the Basques have had nothing to do with the fight for the title. The last time they celebrated a runner-up finish was in the summer of 2003.
Currently, however, the team, which has been coached by Imanol Alguacil since December 2018, is on an excellent path. In 2020, Erreala secured the Copa del Rey for the third time after 1909 and 1987.
21 points from the first ten games are enough to lead the table
In addition, the Basques are also unbeaten in La Liga since the 4-2 defeat at Barcelona from matchday one. Since then, the Txuri-Urdin have picked up 21 points out of a possible 27, which puts them at the top of the table ahead of Real Madrid.
Most recently, they were on the verge of defeat at the hands of reigning national champions Atlético Madrid, but could not hold on to their 2-0 lead at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sunday (final score: 2-2).
Only nine goals conceded from first ten league games
However, it is the defence that is the showpiece of Imanol Alguacil’s troops. The Basques have conceded only nine goals in ten league games, with four of those nine goals coming from the 4-2 defeat in Barcelona on matchday one, which has been mentioned several times.
The betting on Erreala’s away win at Celta Vigo against Real Sociedad against the Galicians, who are not in too good a shape, is accordingly under a good star. After all, the Txuri-Urdin also brought their strong form onto the pitch internationally. In the Europa League, the Basque club also remained unbeaten in three games and is on course for the intermediate round in Group B behind AS Monaco. Both competitions combined, this makes twelve consecutive competitive games without defeat on record.
Predicted line-up of Real Sociedad:
Remiro – Zubeldia – Le Normand – Elustondo – Gorosabel – Merino – Guevara – Zaldúa – Oyarzabal – Sörloth – Isak
Last matches played by Real Sociedad:
LaLiga
10/24 2021 – Atletico Madrid 2 – 2 San Sebastian
Europa League Grp. B
10/21 2021 – Sturm Graz 0 – 1 San Sebastian
LaLiga
10/16 2021 – San Sebastian1 – 0 Mallorca
10/03 2021 – Getafe 1 – 1 San Sebastian
Europa League Grp. B
09/30 2021 – San Sebastian 1 – 1 AS Monaco
Celta Vigo – Real Sociedad Direct comparison / H2H balance
Head to head: 40 – 32 – 51
There have been a total of 123 meetings between the two teams so far and the Basques lead the direct comparison with 51 victories. Erreala have also lost five of their last seven competitive matches (two defeats). The last time they played at the Abanca Balaídos was almost exactly a year ago on 1 November 2020, when they won 4-1 away.
Celta Vigo – Real Sociedad Tip
When it comes to Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad, the prediction has to take into account that the Galicians have only won one of their five home games and have lacked scoring threat, especially going forward, except for their recent away win at bottom side Getafe. Against one of the best defences in La Liga, it will be difficult for the Celestes to score at all.
Adding to this is the Basques’ strength of form, who are unbeaten in twelve consecutive league games and top the La Liga table. Virtually everything points to an away victory for Erreala.
