Alavés vs Celta Vigo: Preview & Prediction

La Liga Battle at Mendizorroza: Alavés Hosts In-Form Celta Vigo

Deportivo Alavés and RC Celta de Vigo prepare for a crucial La Liga showdown at Estadio de Mendizorroza on Saturday, November 22, 2025. Both teams enter this fixture with contrasting momentum but shared ambitions as they navigate the mid-table landscape.

Form Guide and Season Context

Alavés sits 10th in La Liga with 15 points after 12 matches, boasting one of the league's stingiest defenses (11 conceded). However, their attacking output matches their defensive record (11 scored), highlighting a need for clinical finishing. The Babazorros' recent form shows inconsistency: loss-win-draw-win-loss in their last five league games.

Celta Vigo arrives in 13th place with 13 points, relying on resilience with seven draws already this season. Despite a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona, they've won five of their last six matches across competitions, showcasing newfound attacking potency with 12 goals in their last five games. Their Achilles' heel remains defense, having conceded in every league match this season.

Head-to-Head Dynamics

Historically, Celta holds the edge with six wins in the last ten encounters. However, Alavés dominates at home with 17 victories in 34 meetings at Mendizorroza. The teams' last clash ended in a 1-1 draw, setting the stage for another competitive fixture.

Team News: Key Absences and Returns

Alavés: Nikola Maras (ligament injury) remains sidelined indefinitely. Lucas Boye returns from suspension after his red card against Espanyol, strengthening their attack. The defensive pairing of Nahuel Tenaglia and Victor Parada is expected to anchor the backline.

Celta Vigo: Williot Swedberg continues his rehabilitation. Hugo Alvarez doubts due to physical discomfort, but the major boost is Javi Rueda's return. His creativity—1 goal, 3 assists—will free up Iago Aspas in attack. Carlos Dominguez is ruled out with an ankle injury.

Predicted Lineups

Alavés (4-3-3): Sivera; Castro, Tenaglia, Parada, Enriquez; Calebe, Blanco, Suarez, Alena; Martinez, Boye

Celta Vigo (4-3-3): Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, Fernandez; Rueda, Moriba, Sotelo, Mingueza; Duran, Iglesias, Jutgla

Players to Watch

Alavés' Lucas Boyé returns fresh from suspension, aiming to add to his 2 goals this season. Celta's Ferrán Jutglà has been instrumental in their resurgence, with creative runs linking midfield to attack.

Match Prediction

Despite Alavés's defensive solidity, Celta's attacking rhythm and confidence from their five wins in six games give them the edge. Expect a tightly contested first half before Celta's quality breaks through. Prediction: Alavés 1-2 Celta Vigo.

"Celta’s sharp attacking form and renewed confidence should give them the edge in this clash." – Sports Mole

Betting Insights

Celta Vigo has won four of their last five away matches, with over 2.5 goals in four of those games. Alavés has won two of their last four home games. Celta's ability to score on the road (goals in eight consecutive away games) could exploit Alavés's vulnerability at set pieces.

What's Next?

For Alavés, a win would solidify their top-half push under Eduardo Coudet. Celta aims to build on their mini-revolution, with Claudio Giraldez looking to climb further from the relegation zone.