Alaves and Celta Vigo Battle for Crucial La Liga Points

VITORIA-GASTEIZ, Spain — Deportivo Alaves and Celta Vigo will face off in a pivotal La Liga clash on Monday night at the Estadio Mendizorroza, with both teams fighting to secure their positions in Spain’s top flight. The match, scheduled for 8 p.m. local time, comes at a critical juncture in the season as Alaves aim to climb out of the relegation zone, while Celta Vigo seek to distance themselves from the drop.

Alaves, currently 17th in the league with 20 points from 20 matches, are coming off a stunning 3-1 victory over Real Betis. Kike Garcia‘s hat trick in that match has given the Basque side a much-needed boost. However, their defensive record remains a concern, having conceded 32 goals this season. Manager Luis Garcia will hope to build on the momentum from their recent win, but the team will be without key players due to suspension and injury.

Celta Vigo, sitting 13th with 24 points, have struggled in recent weeks, losing three consecutive matches across all competitions. Despite their attacking prowess, led by Iago Aspas, their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed, conceding 32 goals—the same as their upcoming opponents. Manager Claudio Giraldez will be without several players due to suspension and injury, adding to the challenge of securing a positive result on the road.

The two teams have had contrasting fortunes in their recent encounters. Alaves secured a 3-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season, but Celta Vigo emerged 2-1 winners when they met earlier this campaign. Historically, Celta have dominated this matchup, winning six of their last eight La Liga meetings.

Alaves’ home form has been inconsistent, with three wins, three draws, and three losses in nine matches. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo have struggled on the road, winning just one of their nine away games this season. Both teams will be desperate for points as the relegation battle intensifies.

Predicted lineups for the match see Alaves fielding Owono in goal, with Kike Garcia leading the attack. Celta Vigo are expected to start Guaita in goal, with Aspas spearheading their offensive efforts. The match is anticipated to be tightly contested, with both teams likely to share the spoils in a 1-1 draw.