Preview: Celta Vigo vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

Celta Vigo welcome Osasuna to Balaidos on Saturday, in a tough first assignment since the sacking of Eduardo Coudet in midweek.

The Galicians have one point from their last five games following a 3-1 defeat to Almeria last time out, while the visitors are unbeaten in their last three, having swept aside Real Valladolid on Sunday.

Match preview

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Despite a tough start to the season for Celta, the news of Eduardo Coudet's dismissal was met with sadness from Vigo and beyond on Wednesday, as a popular figure left the Spanish game.

Having revived Celta's disastrous start to the 2020-21 season, employing an ambitious 4-1-3-2 formation that encouraged an adventurous, attacking style, there was optimism that the Argentine's squad would be able to play their way out of a torrid run of form.

Nonetheless, despite flashes of attractive football, a run of six defeats in their last eight LaLiga outings, including three-goal defeats to Atlético Madrid, Valencia and Real Valladolid, forced the board to take action.

Coudet's replacement is former Sheffield Wednesday coach Carlos Carvalhal, who will need to pick up his players immediately after a 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted Almeria last time out.

Just moments after scoring a sensational goal, Gabri Veiga picked up a red card early in the first half, allowing the Andalusian side to mount an emphatic comeback.

The visit of Osasuna is not the easiest of starts for the new coach, but perhaps we will see a change in approach from the Portuguese manager, as he gets to work on tightening up one of LaLiga's leakiest defences.

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The visitors, on the other hand, were back to their convincing best last weekend, as they dominated Real Valladolid throughout a decisive 2-0 win.

With goals from Moi Gomez and Chimy Avila, Los Rojillos recorded their fifth home victory of the season, a feat that only Real Betis and Barcelona can match in the Spanish top flight.

While Jagoba Arrasate's men have been slightly less consistent on the road, they still became the first side to take points from Real Madrid this season, with an impressive 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Organised and hard-working, the club from Pamplona are currently occupying a Conference League qualification spot in seventh and have an outside chance of shaking up the European race if they continue to win so consistently at home.

They need to take advantage of fixtures like this on the road, however, against out-of-form opponents amid a managerial change, if they are to mount a serious charge.

Team News

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The hosts will continue without club captain Hugo Mallo at right-back, who remains sidelined with a thigh injury, while both Augusto Solari (ankle) and Luca de la Torre (hamstring) will be missing from the midfield.

Gabri Veiga misses out here due to suspension, which could open the door for Peruvian enforcer Renato Tapia to return to the starting XI.

Osasuna's starting goalkeeper Sergio Herrera will be unavailable once again, as his knee troubles continue, while stand-in keeper Aitor Fernandez continues to impress in his absence.

Exciting Moroccan winger Abde Ezzalzouli will also miss out, as he faces a race against time to recover from a thigh injury before the World Cup.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Marchesin; Galan, Aidoo, Nunez, Mingueza; Cervi, Tapia, Beltran, Oscar; Aspas, Strand Larsen

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Cruz, D. Garcia, U. Garcia, Pena; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Avila, Budimir, Gomez

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Osasuna

Celta have been playing some good attacking football in recent weeks but have been let down by their finishing, along with an incredibly leaky defence.

Carvalhal will not have had long to work with the team, but we are expecting to see a response from his players against an Osasuna side with just three goals scored away from home this campaign.

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