Preview: Celta Vigo vs Getafe - prediction, team news, lineups

Celta Vigo will be aiming to make the perfect start to their 2025-26 La Liga campaign when they welcome Getafe to the Balaidos Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts finished seventh in Spain's top flight last season, securing Europa League qualification in the process, while their visitors were 13th, only two points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Celta enjoyed their finest La Liga season for nine years in 2024-25, finishing seventh in the table, which has seen them directly qualify for the league phase of the Europa League.

The Sky Blues will now have to balance domestic and European commitments, but they will certainly have their eyes on another European finish this term due to the quality in the squad.

Claudio Giraldez's side have made five signings during this summer's transfer window, with Ilaix Moriba making the move from RB Leipzig, while Ferran Jutgla, Borja Iglesias, Bryan Zaragoza and Ionut Radu have also joined.

Celta's biggest departure has been Jorgen Strand Larsen to Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Fer Lopez has also made the move to the same club, with those deals banking the Vigo outfit in the region of €50m (£43m).

Last season, the Sky Blues recorded successive wins over Getafe, including a 1-0 victory when the two teams locked horns for the corresponding game in November 2024.

Getafe, meanwhile, finished 13th in Spain's top flight last season, boasting a record of 11 wins, nine draws and 18 defeats from their 38 matches to collect 42 points.

The capital side were only two points clear of the relegation zone, so there is clear room for improvement this season, with a push for the top half not entirely out of the question.

Jose Bordalas's side have been incredibly busy during this summer's transfer window, with Juanmi proving to be their biggest arrival from Real Betis, while Abdel Abqar and Yvan Neyou are also among those to have joined.

Getafe's most notable departure has been key centre-back Omar Alderete, with the 28-year-old making the move to Sunderland, and his exit saw the club bank a healthy fee of €11.6m (£10m).

Celta just lead the overall head-to-head record between the two sides 11 wins to 10, while there have also been nine draws in their previous 30 meetings in all competitions.

Celta Vigo pre-season form:

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Getafe pre-season form:

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Team News

Celta have doubts over five players for their opening match of the season, with Javi Rodriguez, Joseph Aidoo, Franco Cervi, Pablo Duran and Williot Swedberg all needing late fitness tests.

There are set to be some debutants on display for the home side, with Moriba, Zaragoza and Jutgla all in line for spots in the XI, while there could be a start for 38-year-old Iago Aspas.

Celta are again set to play in a 3-4-3 formation this season, with Oscar Mingueza likely to feature as a wing-back.

As for Getafe, Domingos Duarte and Alex Sancris are both out of the match through suspension, while Juanmi is an injury doubt, so his debut may have to wait.

There could be a debut at left-back for Davinchi, while fellow new arrivals Munoz, Neyou and Kiko Femenia are also expected to be in the starting side.

Borja Mayoral had his injury problems last season, only scoring five times for Getafe, but he struck 17 in all competitions during the 2023-24 campaign and will be looking to kick on this term.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Rueda; Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Carreira, Moriba, Beltran, Mingueza; Aspas, Jutgla, Zaragoza

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Femenia; Dakonam, Rico, Davinchi; Munoz, Milla, Neyou; Arambarri; Uche, Mayoral

We say: Celta Vigo 1-0 Getafe

Getafe only conceded 39 league goals last season, but they struggled to find the back of the net, and that could continue this term; we are expecting a tight match on Sunday, with Celta potentially just shading it.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.