Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Ipurua as Eibar welcome Celta Vigo. The visitors are looking up the table rather than down at this stage of the season, but the same cannot be said for Eibar, who have had a poor second half to the campaign. Let's hope for a cracker tonight!

First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.

TEAMS:

EIBAR: Irureta; Boveda, Navas, Lillo, Vila; Garcia, Fernandez; Capa, Lara, Saul; Mikel

CELTA: Sergio; Mallo, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny; Augusto, Krohn-Dehli; Orellana, Mina, Nolito; Larrivey

So there we have it. Eibar boss Gaizka Garitano has selected an attacking XI this evening, with Ander Capa, Javi Lara and Saul Berjon all in support of lone frontman Mikel Arruabarrena. Dani Garcia also starts for the home side, but Fernando Piovaccari and Manu del Moral are both on the bench.

Celta boss Eduardo Berizzo, meanwhile, has once again selected a forward-thinking XI. Santi Mina, who scored four times against Rayo Vallecano last time out, keeps his spot in an attack that also includes Fabian Orellana, Nolito and Joaquin Larrivey, who were also all impressive against Rayo. Experienced Denmark international Michael Krohn-Dehli will once again start in a deeper midfield role.

Somewhat surprisingly, Eibar have not lost any of their last seven league games against Celta – winning six times and keeping three clean sheets in the process. That said, this will be the first time that Celta have travelled to the Ipurua in Spain's top flight. In the reverse fixture this season, Manu del Moral scored his first goal for Eibar to help the newly-promoted side record a 1-0 victory.

A strong first half to the season left Eibar in the top half of the table and dreaming of a European finish, but they have won just one of their last 13 in the league – losing 10 times in the process. That horror run of form has seen them drop into 14th position in the table and they are now just three points clear of the relegation zone. Last weekend, the strugglers were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Real Madrid.

The next two games – including this one – will be just crucial for Eibar. They tackle Celta here, before travelling to fellow strugglers Almeria next Sunday. Next come back-to-back games against Sevilla and Valencia, who are both enjoying excellent seasons. Home form will be vital in the weeks ahead, but only two teams (Elche and Cordoba) have lost more home league games than Eibar this season.

Celta, meanwhile, have had another inconsistent campaign. They have won 10 of their 31 league games, drawing nine and losing 12. A total of 39 points has left them in 10th position in the table – 11 points clear of the relegation zone, but 13 points off the top six. They will enter this match off the back of a thumping 6-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend, however. Kickoff is fast approaching here.

Celta's home form this season has been pretty strong – losing just five of their 15 games, while they have also won four times on their travels. Goals have been a real problem away from home, however, with Eduardo Berizzo's side netting just 13 times in their 16 away games. Celta finished ninth last season under Luis Enrique and will be keen to secure another top-half finish this time around.

PREDICTION! I fancy Celta to emerge victorious here. It should be an open game between two attacking teams, but I expect the visitors to claim all three points. Predicted score: Eibar 0-2 Celta

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first half underway.

There are certain parts of this Eibar pitch that are not the best, but it is far from the worst in the league and Celta should be able to play their style of quick football. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. The away side are already on the front foot here.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Celta have the ball in the back of the net through Larrivey, but the striker was offside when he collected a pass from Nolito. All Celta in the early exchanges here.

Better from the home side as Capa combines with Borja Fernandez outside the Celta box, but the latter's effort was always moving wide of the post. It has been an open start to this contest.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Lara steals possession in midfield before sliding a pass into Berjon, who is through on goal, but the striker fires wide of the post!

CHANCE! It is raining chances at the moment and this time Celta come close to scoring after Nolito feeds Mina inside the Eibar box, but the teenager fires over the crossbar from close range.

Well, it has been some opening nine minutes to this game. It has not taken long to get going, with both teams committing numbers each time they break forward. Still goalless as it stands though.

In truth, a point would not be the worst outcome in the world for Eibar tonight, but they are set up to attack. The same can also be said for Celta and that has created an open start to this contest here.

SAVE! Krohn-Dehli finds a yard outside the Celta box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Alvarez, who remained alert to the danger.

Both teams are playing good football in the final third this evening, but Celta look the side most likely to make something happen in a forward position. Nolito is starting to get on the ball a lot more.

CHANCE! A mistake in the Celta defence allows Capa to break through on goal, but the Spaniard cannot find a finish and instead pokes wide of the post. Some opportunity there!

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but the home supporters are getting behind their team, which is adding a spring to their step. You just get the feeling that Eibar will need to take the lead if they are to win this game. Celta keep the ball well when they are ahead.

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, but the offside flag is raised at both ends of the field as the score remains goalless with 22 minutes played. Larrivey is the latest offender here.

BOOKING! The referee initially pointed to the spot when Larrivey (Celta) went down inside the box, but after consulting his linesman, a booking has been awarded for diving!

The correct decision was reached in the end. Larrivey went down under no contact and attempted to buy a spot kick for his team. Good intervention from the linesman, who was actually further away!

SAVE! Opportunity for the home side as Arrubarrena finds space just outside the Celta box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Alvarez. The temperature has been raised here!

It is all happening at the moment as both sides continue to commit players in the final third. Nolito has a half-chance for Celta, but the Spaniard is denied by Irureta. It is a cracking game here.

Plenty has happened this evening, but we are still waiting for the first goal of the game. Celta have arguably been the more threatening, but Eibar have also had plenty of good moments in attack.

Mina seems to have a problem for Celta here as he hits the deck and stays there...

... Mina is back on his feet and it does appear that the striker will be fit to continue.

CHANCE! It is wonderful from Krohn-Dehli as the Celta midfielder drives through a host of challenges before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide! Super work!

Capa is now down for Eibar after colliding with Jonny in a strong aerial challenge.

This half has had pretty much everything, apart from goals! Capa is back on his feet and will be fit to continue, at least until the interval. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining here.

Possession football from Celta in the last few minutes as they continue to work the ball into wide positions, but Eibar, in fairness, have defended pretty well thus far. Still goalless at the Ipurua.

Celta continue to work the ball into wide areas, but it is breaking down every time they attempt to come inside. A host of fouls in the middle third of the pitch have also slowed the tempo here.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Celta again have the ball in the back of the net as Mallo fires home from close range, but Nolito is adjudged to have handled moments before and the referee intervenes.

This time Celta are awarded a penalty as Mina is brought to the ground by Vila. It was very clumsy from the defender and Nolito will have the chance to send the visitors into a 1-0 lead here.

Nolito makes no mistake from the spot as he rolls his effort into the bottom corner.

Eibar just need to be careful that they do not concede a second before the break, with Celta pressing forward with plenty of numbers. It must be said that this has been a cracking opening half!

It is desperate defending from the home side at the moment as they clear their lines following another period of Celta possession. Once again, Eibar will have to come from behind on their own patch.

CLOSE! Nolito tries the spectacular after spotting Irureta off his line, but the striker's effort, from just inside the Eibar half, is just high of the crossbar! What a goal that would have been!

Eibar are in all sorts of bother at the moment as Celta go looking for their second goal.

HANDBAGS! The referee blew his whistle for half-time, but something occurred in the Celta half which brought a furious reaction from the Eibar players, and indeed bench, who entered the field!

The referee has managed to calm proceedings, but there looked to be a head-butt from a Celta defender. No action has been taken at the moment, but the players are now off the field here!

Anyway, it is half-time and Celta lead 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Nolito. The visitors have had the ball in the back of the net three times in total, but twice they were denied by the referee. Eibar have had some good moments in the final third, but were hanging on a bit late in the first period.

STATS! Celta have dominated the possession with 64%, while they have had six attempts - two of which have been on target. Eibar, meanwhile, have hit the target with just one of their five attempts. Despite the feisty nature of the first period, there has been just one booking thus far.

BENCH WATCH Eibar boss Garitano has plenty of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Abraham, Errasti, Manu del Moral and Piovaccari all in reserve. Celta, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Bongonda, Charles and Hernadez. Will we see changes at the break?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Eibar find a route back into this game? It will be tough. The home side get the second 45 minutes underway.

SUBS! Eibar have made two change at the break here, with Piovaccari and Manu del Moral replacing Lara and Capa. In truth, it is not that surprising that alterations have occurred.

You just get the feeling that Eibar need to score the next goal if they are to stand a chance of taking something from this game. A second for Celta would leave the visitors in such a strong position.

Half-chance for the away side as Orellana meets a loose Boveda clearance inside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The pressure is coming from the visitors.

Eibar are just about surviving at the moment, but that is not enough. Not in this game, not at this stage of the season. Piovaccari does force a corner, but the home side's attack is short-lived.

Possession football from the away side in the last couple of minutes, but they are not creating much in terms of chances. Eibar will always be in the game at 1-0, no matter how late in the night it is.

It is good work from Larrivey as the Celta striker drops his shoulder before driving into the Eibar box, but the Argentine cannot release a strike. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Manu del Moral cannot find a cross towards Piovaccari. Little over 35 minutes remaining here.

Eibar have just started to force the issue in the last few minutes, with Saul threatening from a free kick and Piovaccari having one deflected just wide. It is a really good spell for the home side here.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and you just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals here. It has been a cracking match between two teams that are set up to attack.

BOOKING! Arruabarrena (Eibar) is booked for jumping into Alvarez.

It just isn't happening for Eibar in the final third. They are delivering plenty of crosses from wide areas, but the final ball has been poor all evening. Still Celta hold onto their narrow lead here.

As it stands, Eibar would remain in 14th position - just three points clear of the relegation zone. Celta, meanwhile, would return to the top half of the table. Still more than 25 minutes to play here.

Plenty happening at both ends of the field, but not too much in the way of attempts on goal or excellent chances. In truth, clear opportunities have been few and far between since the break.

SAVE! Berjon finds space in a wide area for the home side, but his powerful effort is straight into the arms of Alvarez, who has not had an awful lot to do in this second period here.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side to score a second as Krohn-Dehli picks out Jonny inside the Eibar box, but his effort is saved by Irureta. Chances at either end here!

SUB! Eibar make their third and final change as Lekic replaces Garcia.

SUB! Celta make their first change of the match as Mina is replaced by Hernandez.

Time is just starting to run out for the home side, but you just get the feeling that chances will arrive in the final 15 minutes or so. Another defeat here would leave them in a really vulnerable position.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Celta to add a second as Jonny sets up Orellana inside the Eibar box, but his effort is straight at the home side's goalkeeper. Should have done a lot better!

Tonight's attendance has been confirmed at little over 4,500 - quite incredible for a fixture in Spain's top flight. The majority inside the stadium, as it stands, will leave this match disappointed.

CHANCES! Wonderful chance for the away side to put this game to bed as Nolito drives towards the box before trying his luck, but Boveda makes the block. It falls for Larrivey, but Irureta is then on hand to make the save. Celta have had opportunities to score a second goal here.

Orellana again tries his luck for Celta, but again his effort is over the crossbar.

Yet another opportunity for Orellana, but the attacker fires straight into the arms of Irureta. Eibar are straight down the other end with Lekic, but his deep cross is just punched clear by Alvarez.

Celta have a free kick just and I mean just outside the box as Navas fells Nolito. Chance here...

... Orellana takes the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Sums up his night!

CROSSBAR! Oh my word! Eibar come close to levelling as Vila lets fly from outside the box, but his effort smashes the crossbar! So unlucky from the Spaniard there!

SUB! Celta make their second change as Krohn-Dehli is replaced by Radoja.

It just will not go in for Eibar, despite all their pressure in the final third. Celta have had a lot of chances to put this game to bed, but there is still time for the home side to take something.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes here.

How on earth has the game only produced one goal?! So much has happened in terms of chances and pressure in the final third. Eibar again look long into the Celta box, but again it is cleared.

SUB! Celta make their third and final change as Nolito is replaced by Charles.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Celta running out 1-0 winners courtesy of a first-half penalty from Nolito. The visitors have returned to the top half, while Eibar remain in 14th position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!