Two teams battling to stay out of the La Liga relegation zone will lock horns on Sunday afternoon, with Celta Vigo welcoming Real Valladolid to Estadio Municipal de Balaidos.
Real Valladolid are currently 15th in the table, boasting 24 points from 22 matches, while Celta sit one spot higher in 14th, also collecting 24 points from their 22 league fixtures in 2022-23.
Match preview
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Celta put some distance between themselves and the bottom three with back-to-back wins over Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis on January 29 and February 4 respectively, but the Sky Blues have picked up just a point from their two games since, which has left them dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Carlos Carvalhal's side have had a very tough run of games over the last month, and they only narrowly lost at home to Atletico Madrid before claiming a point away to Real Sociedad last time out.
However, a return of 24 points from 22 matches has left them in 14th, just two points clear of the relegation zone, so the club are very much involved in a survival battle at this stage.
Carvalhal's team have one of the worst home records in the league this season, only picking up 13 points from their 11 matches in front of their own supporters, but Real Valladolid have not exactly been excellent on their travels, only collecting seven points from 11 games.
Celta have not actually beaten Real Valladolid in La Liga since April 2014, although four of the last five top-flight fixtures between the two sides have finished all square.
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Real Valladolid were 4-1 winners over Celta in the reverse match earlier this season, so the White and Violets will be looking to do a league double over their opponents.
Pacheta's side secured a return to La Liga by finishing second in the Segunda Division last season, and they are also involved in a survival battle at this stage, sitting 15th in the table, two points ahead of Cadiz.
There are actually only three points between Cadiz in 18th and Sevilla in 12th, which is an indication of how quickly things could change, with only Elche - bottom on nine points - being cut adrift at this stage.
Real Valladolid, like Celta, recently recorded back-to-back wins, beating Valencia and Real Sociedad, but they have picked up just one point from their last two matches and will enter Sunday's affair off the back of a 2-1 loss at Real Betis.
The White and Violets have two huge matches against Espanyol and Elche to come after this one, and it will be fascinating to see how the battle towards the bottom of the division plays out over the next few months.
Team News
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Celta will be without the services of Renato Tapia for this match, as the midfielder was sent off in the latter stages of the 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad last weekend.
The home side's injury situation is unchanged, though, with Agustin Marchesin the only confirmed absentee due to a long-term knee problem.
Tapia was a second-half substitute against Real Sociedad, so it would not be a shock to see the same XI take to the field for the first whistle here, although Haris Seferovic could be brought in to partner Iago Aspas in attack.
As for Real Valladolid, Jordi Masip picked up a collarbone injury during the clash with Real Betis last time out, so there will have to be a change between the sticks here, with Alvaro Aceves expected to start.
Kenedy and Anuar Tuhami are also still sidelined for the visitors due to injury problems.
Cyle Larin has scored three times in his last four appearances for Real Valladolid and is expected to continue in the centre-forward position, but there could be a change in midfield, with Roque Mesa potentially coming into the side to replace Kike Perez.
Ivan Fresneda, who is seemingly one of the most in-demand teenagers in La Liga, is currently out of the first XI, and the defender is expected to start on the bench once again here.
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Villar; Mingueza, Aidoo, Nunez, Galan; Perez, Beltran, Veiga, De la Torre; Aspas, Seferovic
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Aceves; Perez, Sanchez, Hongla, Olaza; Plano, Mesa, Monchu; Plata, Larin, Machis
We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Valladolid
This is a really difficult match to call, as there is not a lot between the two teams. The fact that four of their last five La Liga meetings have ended in draws is difficult to ignore, and we are finding it tough to back anything other than another stalemate in Sunday's contest.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
