Celta Vigo have some catching up to do as they sit outside the top-24 in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase standings but face a tough test against high-flyers Royal Union SG.
Match News and Current Form
After beginning their league phase campaign with successive defeats, Celta managed to get themselves on the board with a 2-1 win away to Celtic on matchday three, which sees them enter this next round in 25th place. The Sky Blues were unable to capitalise on that result as they have failed to win domestically since (D1, L1), which is indicative of their struggles this season where they’ve won just three of their 14 matches in all competitions (D6, L5). Returning home doesn’t even offer a bump in confidence either, as Celta have failed to win any of their last three home matches in the UEL (D1, L2), their joint-longest run without a victory on home soil in major European matches.
Union SG continued their unbeaten start to the league phase with an emphatic 4-0 win over Hapoel Be'er Sheva on matchday three, taking their tally to seven points which sees them start the round in sixth. Their three league phase matches contribute to what is now a 13-game unbeaten run for David Hubert’s men (W10, D3), and form the tail-end of an unbeaten four-game sequence in major European matches (W3, D1), where they last had a longer run without defeat in October 2022, when they registered five continental games without a loss (W4, D1).
Head-to-Head History
These sides have never met but Celta will be confident having never suffered defeat in eight meetings with Belgian opposition (W3, D5), while Union lost their sole visit to Spain when falling to a 3-1 defeat against Atlético Madrid.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Nine of Celta’s last 11 UEL group stage/league phase matches saw both teams score.
Just two of Celta’s last 12 European home matches were decided by a 2+ goal margin.
Union’s last five matches all saw the second half as the highest scoring period.
Six of Union’s last seven away matches featured over 2.5 goals.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Home ground advantage usually brings the best out of Celta’s Hugo Álvarez, since his last 11 goals were all at home. Union’s Guilherme Smith has proven he can shine on the road with four of his last six strikes coming away from home, and he usually bides his time with his last nine goals all coming after half-time.
Celta’s injury crisis seemed to worsen at the weekend when Hugo González went off injured, while Union will be without regular starters Mateo Biondić and Kevin Mac Allister.
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Betting Analysis
The visitors are on a high at the moment so Union to score first might result in a quick payout.
Author: Peter Stavrinou