In the LaLiga matchup at Abanca Balaídos, Celta Vigo, sitting in 6th place, are keen on securing a European spot. They host 17th-placed Deportivo Alaves, who are focused on avoiding relegation. This important Round 29 fixture takes place on March 22, 2026, at 16:15. Both teams have much at stake: Celta is looking to strengthen their hold on the top half of the table, while Alaves are striving to remain in LaLiga.
Celta’s top striker, Borja Iglesias, has scored 11 goals, making him a key threat in attack. Meanwhile, Deportivo Alaves’ Lucas Boye, not far behind with nine goals, is expected to lead his team’s offensive efforts. Recently, Celta has shown a balanced attack and defense, netting six goals but allowing five in their last five matches. In contrast, Alaves have scored six but conceded nine, revealing a defense that Celta may exploit.
Celta’s home performance is notable, winning six out of their last eight games at Balaídos. Alaves, however, have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches. Historically, Celta have had the upper hand in this matchup, remaining unbeaten in their last five clashes with Alaves.
Celta Vigo vs Deportivo Alaves Prediction & Betting Tip
Celta Vigo’s strong home form and superior league standing suggest they’re likely to perform well. Alaves’ defensive issues, with nine goals conceded over the last five games, might help Celta secure a win. Under Coach Claudio Giráldez, Celta’s tactical advantage and attacking prowess are expected to shine. Although Alaves might try to defend tightly, Celta should manage a two-goal margin victory. Considering Celta’s goal-scoring ability and Alaves’ defensive frailties, the recommended bet is:
| Recommended Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Celta Vigo -1.50 (AH) | 3.65 |
Celta Vigo vs Deportivo Alaves Odds
Celta Vigo’s dominant home record and current form make them favorites. Alaves’ poor away performance reduces their chances. With both teams’ recent scoring trends, the market might lean toward over 2.5 goals. Given Alaves’ defensive struggles, a convincing Celta win seems likely. Here are the odds reflecting these outcomes:
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Celta Vigo -1.50 (AH) | 3.65 |
Celta Vigo Team Analysis
Celta Vigo Recent Performance
Celta Vigo have shown resilience recently. Their recent matches were:
- 1-1 draw away against Real Betis on March 15, 2026.
- 1-1 draw with Lyon in the Europa League on March 12, 2026.
- 1-2 loss to Real Madrid on March 6, 2026.
- 2-1 victory over Girona on March 1, 2026.
- 1-0 win against PAOK in the Europa League on February 26, 2026.
In these matches, they scored six and conceded five, managing just one clean sheet but proving effective in attack.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-15 | LaLiga | Real Betis 1 – 1 Celta Vigo |
| 2026-03-12 | Europa League Final Stage | Celta Vigo 1 – 1 Lyon |
| 2026-03-06 | LaLiga | Celta Vigo 1 – 2 Real Madrid |
| 2026-03-01 | LaLiga | Girona 1 – 2 Celta Vigo |
| 2026-02-26 | Europa League Final Stage | Celta Vigo 1 – 0 PAOK |
Celta Vigo Key Players
Key players for Celta include:
- Borja Iglesias: The main attacker with 11 goals; essential for Celta’s offense.
- Ionut Andrei Radu: Key goalkeeper vital for maintaining goal safety.
- Carl Starfelt: A central defender who excels in aerial plays.
- Marcos Alonso: The veteran full-back contributing to both defense and attack.
- Sergio Carreira: Noted for speed and crosses from his wing-back role.
- Hugo Sotelo: Midfield playmaker creating opportunities.
- Pablo Duran: A forward known for his movement and link-up ability.
- Oscar Mingueza: Provides defensive support in midfield.
Celta Vigo Suspensions & Injuries
Several players are unavailable for Celta Vigo:
- Miguel Roman: Out long-term with a fractured metatarsal.
- Ferran Jutgla: Undisclosed injury leaves his participation uncertain.
- Ilaix Moriba: Suspended due to yellow card accumulation, challenging the midfield depth.
| Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Miguel Roman | Injured | Metatarsal fracture |
| Ferran Jutgla | Injured | (unspecified) |
| Ilaix Moriba | Suspended | Yellow card suspension |
Celta Vigo Tactics and Formation
Under Claudio Giráldez’s guidance, Celta Vigo is likely to use a 3-4-3 formation. Their tactics include high pressing and fast transitions, using wing-backs Carreira and Alonso for width and overlaps. Sotelo and López in midfield focus on keeping the ball and distributing it well. In attack, Iglesias, Duran, and Alvarez will play energetically, pressing the opponent. Defensively, Celta will adopt a high line to limit space, emphasizing possession at home.
Deportivo Alaves Team Analysis
Deportivo Alaves Recent Performance
Alaves have faced difficulties, as seen in their recent scores:
- A 1-1 home draw with Villarreal on March 13, 2026.
- A 2-3 loss away at Valencia on March 8, 2026.
- 0-2 defeat away to Levante on February 27, 2026.
- 2-2 home draw with Girona on February 23, 2026.
- 1-1 draw away at Sevilla on February 14, 2026.
They scored six goals but conceded nine in these five matches, struggling to record clean sheets and showing ongoing defensive issues.
| Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-13 | LaLiga | Deportivo Alaves 1 – 1 Villarreal |
| 2026-03-08 | LaLiga | Valencia 3 – 2 Deportivo Alaves |
| 2026-02-27 | LaLiga | Levante 2 – 0 Deportivo Alaves |
| 2026-02-23 | LaLiga | Deportivo Alaves 2 – 2 Girona |
| 2026-02-14 | LaLiga | Sevilla 1 – 1 Deportivo Alaves |
Deportivo Alaves Key Players
Alaves will rely heavily on these players:
- Lucas Boye: Top scorer with nine goals, crucial for their attack.
- Antonio Sivera: Experienced goalkeeper important for defense.
- Nahuel Tenaglia: Dependable defender, currently injured.
- Pablo Ibanez: Central midfielder providing defensive cover.
- Carles Alena: The creative force in midfield.
- Angel Perez: Valued midfielder in transitions.
- Antonio Martinez: Known for link-up play as a secondary striker.
- Youssef Enriquez: Back in action after a suspension, dynamic in midfield.
Deportivo Alaves Suspensions & Injuries
Alaves face several player absences:
- Carlos Benavidez: Indeterminate recovery from a leg injury.
- Nahuel Tenaglia: Muscle injury makes his participation doubtful.
- Youssef Enriquez: Suspended due to card accumulation, affecting midfield options.
| Player | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Carlos Benavidez | Injured | Leg injury |
| Nahuel Tenaglia | Injured | Muscle injury |
| Youssef Enriquez | Suspended | Yellow card suspension |
Deportivo Alaves Tactics and Formation
Coach Quique Sánchez Flores might use a 3-5-2 formation, focusing on using wing-backs such as Otto, with Parada possibly adjusting given Tenaglia’s absence. The strategy is to maintain compactness with a midfield trio of Ibanez, Blanco, and Alena. Up front, Boye and Martinez aim to strike on counter-attacks, while defensively, a low block seeks to thwart Celta’s advances. Set-pieces could be vital for scoring.
Celta Vigo vs Deportivo Alaves Head-to-Head Statistics
Recent history shows Celta Vigo’s dominance over Deportivo Alaves, as they remain unbeaten in their last five meetings, with three wins and two draws. Their latest clash resulted in a 1-0 win for Celta at Mendizorrotza on November 22, 2025. Although Celta has the edge, matches have often been close with few goals.
| Date | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-22 | Mendizorrotza | Deportivo Alaves 0 – 1 Celta Vigo |
| 2025-01-27 | Balaídos | Deportivo Alaves 1 – 1 Celta Vigo |
| 2024-08-16 | Balaídos | Celta Vigo 2 – 1 Deportivo Alaves |
| 2024-04-27 | Mendizorrotza | Deportivo Alaves 3 – 0 Celta Vigo |
| 2023-09-28 | Balaídos | Celta Vigo 1 – 1 Deportivo Alaves |
Venue and Weather
Abanca Balaídos in Vigo, Spain, is the setting for this match, capable of accommodating up to 29,000 fans, ensuring a lively atmosphere. The vibrant Celta supporters create a strong home-field advantage. On game day, pleasant weather is anticipated, with a temperature of 17.3°C and clear skies offering ideal playing conditions. Gentle breezes averaging 2.35 m/s are unlikely to affect play significantly, promising smooth gameplay. Fans can look forward to a dynamic, technically engaging game, well-suited to Celta’s playstyle.
This fixture at Balaídos presents an exciting battle, with Celta looking to maintain dominance and Deportivo Alaves fighting for top-tier survival. With contrasting goals in this LaLiga season, the match is set to be significant for both teams’ campaigns.
