Having not played last weekend, Valencia and Celta Vigo will start their campaigns in La Liga on Saturday. Mestalla is the setting, and both clubs have some new signings, who’ll be hungry to impress.
Injury problems for Valencia ahead of season opener
Valencia are expected to hand debuts to recent additions Justin de Haas and Ryūnosuke Satō. They’ve been relatively busy in the transfer market, after loanees such as Largie Ramazani and Lucas Beltrán departed.
They have a number of injury concerns ahead of this match. Sergi Canós, Alberto Mari, Diego López and José Manuel Copete will all definitely miss out. Dimitri Foulquier and Luis Rioja are also rated doubtful.
January signing Guido Rodríguez is available and is set for a key role in midfield. The 32-year-old scored four times in 16 La Liga 2025/26 appearances while completing 87% of his passes.
Valencia predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo (5-3-2): Dimitrievski; Vázquez, Tárrega, Pepelu, De Haas, Gayà; Guerra, Rodríguez, Ugrinić; Sato, Sadiq.
Celta Vigo hoping Febas can offer quality in midfield
There have been changes at Celta Vigo, who signed left-back Javi Galán from Atlético Madrid, while Aleix Febas is a fresh option in the centre of the pitch. Febas was the most-fouled player in La Liga last term and impressed from a deep role, with an average of 54.4 passes per game for Elche.
Borja Iglesias has been given an extended break following the World Cup, so Ferran Jutglà is set to be used as the striker. He registered nine goals in 30 league outings in the 2025/26 campaign.
Matías Vecino is the most notable injury doubt for the visitors. Both Galán and Pablo Durán are available, but may only make the bench following recent fitness issues.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Valencia (3-4-2-1): Radu; Rodríguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Rueda, Román, Febas, Carreira; González, Swedberg; Jutglà.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction
- Safe Tip: Celta Vigo to score over 0.5 goals
- Odds: 1.49 (22Bet)
- Correct score prediction: Valencia 1-1 Celta Vigo
- 22Bet Booking Code: 8K5U7
Key stats:
- Celta Vigo averaged 1.39 goals per game in La Liga last season.
- Including friendlies, the Galicians have scored at least once in each of their past 10 fixtures.
- Valencia kept just one clean sheet in seven pre-season outings.
Backing Celta Vigo to score over 0.5 goals is the safe bet. They are an established top-half team in La Liga now, following back-to-back top-seven finishes. Their squad are stronger after some smart summer recruitment.
By contrast, Valencia were unimpressive in pre-season, losing their final two friendlies. Los Che also kept only one clean sheet in their final nine outings last term.
Valencia vs Celta Vigo Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: Celta Vigo to win or draw
- Odds: 1.699 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: C94U7
Celta Vigo were strong away from home in La Liga last season. They avoided defeat in 79% of their road trips and picked up some impressive away results in Europe, like their 2-0 win in Lyon in March.
With Valencia potentially missing as many as six players, the value lies with the visitors. They look good at odds of 1.699 to take at least a point.
Verdict: Celta Vigo to score over 0.5 goals (1.49) — Valencia 1-1 Celta Vigo
