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MATCH PREVIEW

Sunday’s action in LaLiga commences in Vitoria where struggling Alaves are really in need of the points as they take on Celta Vigo. The visitors look to be heading towards a safe mid-table finish but European dreams now look distant ones with a huge amount of ground to make up on the sides in the final European places.

Alaves fans will be hoping that the international break has given Abelardo the chance to gather his troops and put some ideas into practice on the training ground. It can’t be easy arriving in the middle of such a congested season to do that but patience is already starting to wear a bit thin with the returning boss struggling to get anything going in his second spell at the club.

Since Abelardo’s appointment in early January, Alaves have played 10 league games, but have only won one and have only collected five points. A repeat over the final 10 games of the season will certainly see them relegated to the Segunda Division and they are going to have start winning these kinds of matches with home form likely to be key in Alaves’ push for survival.

Celta Vigo are no pushovers these days though. While they were beaten 3-1 at home by Real Madrid last time out, they’ve only lost one of their previous eight matches. A few too many draws have though hampered their push for European qualification and it feels as though it may end up being a relatively uneventful end to the season for the Galician club.

Chacho Coudet will be keen to ensure that complacency doesn’t set in and it’s going to be quite interesting to see if Celta can do any business this summer to further bolster this squad which does have the potential to kick on and be a top half team next term. In the final third they are not short on quality but they perhaps will need some defensive alterations to really move to the next level.

PREDICTION

You have to fear for Alaves at this stage as they’ve not really shown many signs of life under Abelardo. It’s still too early in the season for Celta to really take their foot off the gas and they could be difficult opponents here but having only won two away games all season, it’s hard to feel confident that their superior quality will be decisive and a draw looks the most likely outcome.

Disclaimer: For reference purpose only. All above views expressed are those of the author and do not represent the views of ASAA88.