Celta Vigo Faces Las Palmas Amid Controversial Mega Project Protests

VIGO, Spain (March 31, 2025) — Celta Vigo is set to host UD Las Palmas this weekend in a crucial La Liga match that sees both teams striving for vital points in their respective campaigns. Celta emerged with a narrow victory against Leganés three weeks ago, while Las Palmas desperately seeks to escape the relegation zone.

The match is particularly significant for Celta, who aims to push for European competition next season. Simultaneously, fans are expected to voice their opposition to Altri’s controversial mega cellulose project planned for A Ulloa, a region in Galicia. Local activists argue the plan threatens the environmental integrity of the area.

Celta’s coach, Claudio Giráldez, will have to make do without defender Óscar Mingueza, who is suspended, and Williot Swedberg, who is nursing a muscle injury. Giráldez has also opted to leave out Manquillo from the squad but has included Fer López and Jones El-Abdellaoui, both of whom recently played for Celta’s reserve team during La Liga’s hiatus. Marc Vidal, having lost his starting spot at Fortuna, is another addition to the squad.

Las Palmas, under the guidance of Vigo native Diego Martínez, will look to avenge their previous meeting with Celta, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat in a tense encounter. This time, they are motivated by the need for points, having gone 11 matches without a win since early January, where they garnered just three draws.

The October clash in Gran Canaria was a hard-fought battle. Celta’s Borja Iglesias scored early, yet Celta had to defend their lead with only nine players after two red cards were shown in the second half. In their last meeting at Balaídos, Las Palmas initially scored but was overwhelmed by a Celta comeback led by Iago Aspas, who netted two goals in a decisive victory.

In an effort to solidify their position, Giráldez may surprise fans with his lineup. There are possibilities of fielding Guaita in goal, defend ed by Javi Rodríguez, Starfelt, and Marcos Alonso. The formation could shift to a three-center-back system, a configuration not used since their last visit to Alavés. Over the past weeks, players Cervi and Hugo Álvarez were considered for return, although both are also recovering from injuries.

The midfield pairing of Beltrán and Moriba is likely to repeat against Las Palmas, with Carreira taking the right flank. In attack, Giráldez could deploy Aspas, Borja Iglesias, and Alfon, while options include Fer López on the right wing and Pablo Durán up front as a striker.