Celta Vigo vs Barcelona Live: Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
The La Liga title race is done and dusted, with three games yet to be played. Barcelona had their title coronation last week, and they will be hoping to not let their momentum snap, even though a number of fringe players are set to start, when they lock horns with Celta Vigo at Balaidos on Saturday night.Celta Vigo have had a season to forget, having grappled with a relegation battle for much of their 2018-19 campaign. The poor run of results has seen two managers lose their jobs, with both Antonio Mohamed and Miguel Cardoso being dismissed, before Fran Escriba finally improving their standing.
Celta Vigo
Fran Escriba does not have many pressing injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of the visit of Barcelona. On Saturday, the Celta Vigo boss will be without just one first-team player, with Emre Mor recovering from a knock he sustained last month.
In fact, Escriba has only greeted more good news this week, with David Junca passed fit to return after recovering from a groin injury. Iago Aspas is not showing any effects of a minor shoulder injury he sustained last week, while Okay Yokuslu is back from suspension.
Yokuslu and Junca should slot back into the starting lineup straightaway, replacing Lucas Olaza and Jozabed Sanchez, respectively. Joining Junca at the back, should be Celta captain Hugo Mallo, Wesley Hoedt and David Costas, with Ruben Blanco protecting the goal.
Up ahead in midfield, Yokuslu’s partner in the middle of the park ought to be Stanislav Lobotka, who will hope to keep things tight. Sofiane Boufal is likely to start out on the left side of the Celta Vigo midfield once again, while Brais Mendez should be deployed on the opposite flank.
Upfront, Aspas will be the man under the spotlight, having been the catalyst of Celta Vigo’s turnaround since his return from injury. The experienced striker will have Maxi Gomez for company as his strike partner.
Barcelona
Rafinha Alcantara remains the only player unavailable for Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde, who is set to ring in the changes on Saturday, having rested a number of first-team players with an eye on the return leg against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
In fact, among those who featured against the Reds earlier this week, only Clement Lenglet, Nelson Semedo, Carles Alena, Philippe Coutinho, Arturo Vidal and Ousmane Dembele are part of the travelling squad.
Elsewhere, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets are out through suspension, although judging by Valverde’s squad selection, the veteran duo might have been rested anyway. It thus, looks like a lineup similar to the one that faced Huesca last month would be named against Celta Vigo as well, with an entirely new starting eleven likely.
The changes will come into effect right at the back, with Jasper Cillessen set to replace the rested Marc-Andre ter Stegen and make his first La Liga start of the season. Meanwhile, in addition to the shuffles, Valverde should also bring about a change in the formation, with a back-three being restored, as was the case against Huesca.
The three centre-backs ought to be Samuel Umtiti, Jeison Murillo and Thomas Vermaelen, while Jean-Clair Todibo might start as a defensive midfielder, a position where he can use his pace to good effect. Todibo will likely be joined by Carles Alena, who will provide the creative impetus, while Moussa Wague and Semedo should be the two wing-backs.
Upfront, the firepower will come in the form of Dembele, Malcom and Kevin-Prince Boateng, who needs to do much better than he did last time out. Dembele too, will look to prove a point as he continues to improve his sharpness after looking sluggish against Liverpool.
