Valencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction, Lineups, Betting Pick, Latest La Liga Odds for Saturday, August 22nd
The new LaLiga season gets underway as Valencia prepare to host Celta Vigo at the Mestalla. Read our full match preview, lineups, team news, and prediction.
OC Staff - August 22, 2026, 11:00 AM EDT
3 Minute ReadValencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction: Will Celta Vigo Bring Offensive Firepower in La Liga Opener on Saturday?
The new LaLiga season gets underway as Valencia, currently sitting 20th, prepare to host 15th-placed Celta Vigo on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, at 17:30 UTC. Both teams are eager to make a strong start at the home side's ground and set a positive tone for the rest of the campaign.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Form
The hosts wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a solid 2-0 victory over Hercules. Prior to that, their warm-up run was a mixed bag, including a narrow 1-0 defeat to CD Teruel and a 2-1 loss against Newcastle, alongside a 1-1 draw with Stoke and victories over Derby and Castellon.
The visitors, meanwhile, earned a respectable 1-1 draw against Napoli in their final friendly. Their pre-season also featured a resounding 4-1 win over Sassuolo and a 2-2 draw with Braga, while they ended their previous league campaign on a high with a 1-0 victory over Sevilla.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Head to Head
The last meeting between these two sides in April 2026 saw the away side secure a thrilling 3-2 victory on the road. Over their last six encounters, the visitors have dominated this fixture with four wins, while the home side has managed just one victory, with one match ending in a draw. Entertainment is historically guaranteed when these two clash, with high-scoring affairs being the norm in recent seasons.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Odds
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
- Time: 1:30 PM ET
- Where to Watch: ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Click here for complete Valencia vs Celta Vigo Odds
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Probable Lineups
Valencia (3-5-2): Dimitrievski; Pepelu, Tárrega, de Haas; Gayà, Rodríguez, Ugrinic, Guerra, Vázquez; Duro, Sato
Celta Vigo (3-4-2-1): Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, Rodríguez; Carreira, Febas, Román, Rueda; Swedberg, González; Jutglà
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Team News
The hosts enter this opening fixture plagued by a significant injury crisis. Canós, Marí, Copete, and López are all confirmed absentees, severely limiting the home side's options across the pitch. To make matters worse, Rioja and Foulquier are both major doubts, meaning the home side could be missing up to six first-team players.
In contrast, the visitors have a much cleaner bill of health. Vecino is the only confirmed injury concern for the away side, sidelined with a knee problem.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Match Facts
- Valencia have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 6 matches against Celta Vigo in all competitions.
- Celta Vigo have scored at least 2 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches against Valencia in all competitions.
Prediction: Valencia 1-2 Celta Vigo
This opening fixture presents a tough test for the home side, who will try to replicate the unbeaten run that saw them win three of their final four games last season.
However, their severe squad depletion hands a massive advantage to the visitors. The away team finished an impressive sixth last term to qualify for the Europa League, losing just four away games all season. Given their strong road record and the hosts' defensive issues, the visitors are well-placed to edge a 2-1 victory.
Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals (+125) Click here to get the best odds at DraftKings Sportsbook
With the statistics pointing to plenty of goalmouth action, backing Over 2.5 Goals is the standout bet. This selection has landed in all of the last six meetings between these teams, with the visitors scoring at least twice in five of those fixtures.
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