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Kick off: Saturday, 28 November 2015 @21:05
Venue: Balaidos (Vigo)
Head to head record
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon 0-1 (2011/12 Club friendly)
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon 3-0 (2009/10 Club friendly)
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon 0-0 (2007/08 Segunda Division)
Sporting Gijon vs Celta Vigo 0-1 (2007/08 Segunda Division)
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon 1-0 (2004/05 Segunda Division)
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon prediction
Both Celta and Sporting will be looking to bounce back from their back-to-back defeats as they go head to head at Balaidos on Saturday. The hosts will be hoping for a win that would keep them in frame for the European football next season, while Sporting Gijon are looking to make an important step away from the relegation zone.
Are Celta losing their pace?
Unbeaten in their eight opening matches of the new campaign, Os Celticos have suffered a dip in form and are currently on a downslide, having lost three of their last four La Liga games. Those three defeats are their first set-backs this season, following an impressive opening, which saw them hit the top of the standings. One of the most pleasant surprises of the season, Celta Vigo will be hoping for another push towards the European places against Sporting Gijon. At the moment, Os Celticos are occupying the fifth place in the standings, level on points with Villarreal who are sitting in the Champions League qualifying spot. With their eyes set on the major prize and Europe’s elite competition, Eduardo Berizzo’s team will be hoping to bounce back from the most recent slump against Deportivo away. The hosts will once again rely on their key performer Nolito who has scored seven goals in 11 La Liga matches this term. The 29-year-old forward has been targeted by a host of European clubs with Arsenal leading the chase. The Gunners are reportedly set to trigger the release clause and take him away in January, but Berizzo will be hoping that the rumours will not affect his star man.
The hosts are without Jonny, who is ruled out due to his yellow card suspension, while Andreu Fontas and Nemanja Radoja are injured for the occasion.
Can Sporting survive the cut?
Despite the fact they are sitting in the 15th place on the ladder, Sporting Gijon are only three points clear of the last-placed Malaga and will be in for a tough relegation battle with seven other teams, who are looking to survive the cut at the end of the ongoing campaign. With only three wins next to their name, Rojiblancos will be hoping for a positive outcome of their trip to Vigo. Abelardo Fernandez’s men have won only one of their last five outings and are desperate for points that will guide them to safety. They are faced with a stern test though, as they have won only two of their last six meetings with Celta Vigo with the last one being a 1-0 away friendly win back in 2011. Alen Halilovic has been the most outstanding performer for the visitors this season as the Croatian has displayed his full potential in what has been a successful loan spell for the Barcelona starlet so far. He scored two goals in 11 matches this term, but his general presence and ability have been most impressive.
Sergio Alvarez will be the only unavailable player for the forthcoming fixture and manager Fernandez is not expected to make any big changes to his team to the trip to Vigo.
Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon betting tip
The game against Sporting Gijon will be the perfect chance for Celta Vigo to get back to winning ways. The guests will have little to hope for in this match and I expect to see the hosts at least a goal up by half-time.
Watch Celta Vigo vs Sporting Gijon Live Stream
Tip: Celta/Celta
Odds: 2.14 (9/7) @Unibet
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