Athletic Bilbao vs Celta Vigo Match Preview: Spanish Primera Liga

Celta Vigo travel to the San Mames Stadium this Monday evening to face Atletic Bilbao in the Spanish Primera Liga.

Atheltic Bilbao started their season off with a 2:1 victory over Valladolid at the Estadio José Zorrilla.  

They followed that win up with a 2:0 home win against Osasuna before losing 3:1 to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last time out.

Celta Vigo are unbeaten so far this season – they started their season with a 2:2 draw against Espanyol before defeating Real Betis 2:1 and most recently, drawing 1:1 with Granada.

Although it is still very early in the season, Athletic Bilbao are 6th while Celta Vigo are 7th in the Spanish Primera and a win for either side will move them into 5th position.

Recent form:

Athletic Bilbao – L W W L W D L

Celta Vigo – D W D L W L W

Athletic Bilbao have lost 3 of their last 7 while Celta Vigo have lost 2 in 7.

Head-to-head

These two sides have met 28 times in recent years and Athletic Bilbao come out on top most often (Athletic Bilbao 11 wins, Celta Vigo 6 wins, 11 draws)

The last 5 meetings between these two sides finished 1:1, 1:0, 1:1, 0:1, 1:0

Bookmakers side with Athletic Bilbao in this tie.

Current betting odds: Athletic Bilbao (4/6) Draw (11/4) Celta Vigo (4/1)

Gamingtips Prediction – Athletic Bilbao 2:1 Celta Vigo

Athletic Bilbao finished 12th in the Spanish Primera last season scoring 44 goals in 38 matches and conceding 65.

Celta Vigo finished 17th, just one point above the relegation zone – they scored 37 goals in 38 matches and conceded 52.

Both sides have scored 5 goals and conceded 4 so far this season and based on last seasons statistics, this match may well come down to which side can take their chances.

Celta Vigo averaged less than one goal per game last season and if they are to continue their unbeaten run they will need to score at least one goal against a Bilbao side who like to go forward at home.

Athletic Bilbao had the 4th worst defensive record in the Spanish Primera last season so there is hope for Celta Vigo who already upset the odds when defeating Real Betis in their second match of the season.

Ultimately Bilbao should have enough quality to overcome Celta Vigo – Celta struggled in the Spanish Primera last season and if this game were being played in December of 2012, Bilbao would be a much shorter price than what is currently on offer.

From a statistical point of view, under 2.5 goals will attract punters based on the fact that the last 5 meetings between these two sides each had less than 3 goals per game.

This game gets underway at 21:00 GMT+1