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

Both Celta Vigo and Real Betis will be looking to return to winning ways when they continue their respective 2019-20 La Liga seasons with a clash on Saturday afternoon.

Celta will enter this weekend's match off the back of a 5-1 loss at Mallorca, while Betis suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday as their disappointing form continued.

Match preview

Celta had been in impressive form ahead of Tuesday's clash with Mallorca, beating Alaves and Real Sociedad, in addition to drawing with Barcelona, in their three matches before.

The Sky Blues were brought crashing back down to earth by Mallorca, though, as they suffered a 5-1 defeat, which once again dragged them into the relegation mix at a key stage of the season.

As it stands, Oscar Garcia's side are 17th in the table, five points ahead of 18th-placed Mallorca, meaning that another poor result this weekend could leave them vulnerable.

Celta have not actually operated outside of Spain's top flight since the 2011-12 campaign, but there is certainly work to be done in the final weeks if they are to retain their spot at this level for at least one more season.

Betis, meanwhile, have been in disappointing form since returning to action on June 11, losing four of their six matches, picking up just one victory in the process.

The Seville club will enter this weekend's match off the back of successive defeats to Levante and Villarreal, which has left them in 13th position in the table, nine points off the top half.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a disappointing season for the Green and Whites, particularly considering the talent that they can call upon, especially in the final third of the field.

Betis's away form this season has been extremely poor, winning just one of their 16 matches, suffering nine defeats in the process, which is the third-worst record in the division.

Alexis Trujillo's team have actually won their last two La Liga matches against Celta, though, including a 1-0 success in the corresponding game during the 2018-19 campaign.

Celta Vigo La Liga form: LDWWDL

Real Betis La Liga form: LDLWLL

Team News

Celta will be without the services of Denis Suarez until the end of July with a hamstring problem, meaning that Fedor Smolov is likely to return to the starting side for this match.

David Junca and Sergio Alvarez will definitely miss out through injury, but Fran Beltran and Nolito should both overcome knocks for the hosts.

Nolito is potentially battling Santi Mina for a spot in the final third alongside Iago Aspas and Smolov, although Beltran could start on the bench with Rafinha continuing in midfield.

As for Betis, William Carvalho is available once again after missing the clash against Villarreal through suspension, but Nabil Fekir is now banned due to his red card against the Yellow Submarine.

There are expected to be changes from the side that lost on Wednesday night, with Carles Alena, Cristian Tello and Joaquin all in contention to make the starting XI.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup: Blanco; Vazquez, Murillo, Araujo, Olaza; Rafinha, Bradaric, Yokuslu; Nolito, Smolov, Aspas

Real Betis possible starting lineup: Joel; Sidnei, Bartra, Mandi; Pedraza, Carvalho, Alena, Emerson; Joaquin, Iglesias, Tello

We say: Celta Vigo 1-1 Real Betis

Four of the last nine La Liga meetings between these two sides have finished level, and we are finding it difficult to separate them on Saturday afternoon. A draw would not be the worst result in the world for either team, and it is a match that both managers will be keen not to lose.