With the international break looming, Celta Vigo is determined not to head into the halt without a win, while Villarreal arrives full of confidence after two opening victories that included seven goals scored and none conceded.
Villarreal arrives as the early pace-setter, and the threat is clear: a team already showing a potent attack. Celta, meanwhile, aims to translate a solid second half against Betis into three points and steady momentum as the season progresses. The question is how the hosts manage the visitors’-firepower and how well they balance rotation with a need for continuity.
On the Celta side, the squad looks set to be rotated once more under Claudio Giráldez. The only guaranteed starter is goalkeeper Ionut Radu, with the rest of the XI up for grabs. Among the contenders to join him, names such as Marcos Alonso, Sergio Carreira, Carlos Domínguez, Manu Fernández, Fran Beltrán, Miguel Román, Damián Suárez, Jones El-Abdellaoui, Ferran Jutglá, Bryan Zaragoza, and Iago Aspas figure prominently. Zaragoza could earn his first start of the season, though he remains working his fitness and system familiarity.
Up front, Aspas is expected to look for spaces for Jutglá and Bryan Zaragoza, who is eager for his first goal of the campaign. In midfield, the Sotelo Moriba pairing is fashionable at the moment, but physical readiness will dictate how long it lasts. On the wings, Javi Rueda is pushing for involvement, which could allow Mingueza to provide more control on the opposite flank.
Villarreal’s threat is real and immediate. The visitors will need to contend with a squad that has shown impressive finishing so far, and they’ll aim to translate their away form into a positive result at Balaídos. Historically, Villarreal has struggled when visiting Vigo recently, losing on their two most recent trips to Balaídos, and those games featured first-half red cards for the visitors in one or both halves.
There’s no rush, but it would be wise for Celta to curb any early signs of a slump before they spread. A strong, disciplined approach and intelligent rotation could help them weather the battle and build momentum before the break.
Bottom line: a tactically charged clash awaits as Celta seek to extend momentum and Villarreal look to maintain their perfect start, with Radu anchoring the defense and a host of attacking players ready to step into the breach for Celta.
Summary: Celta aims to snap a short dip in form before the international break with a lineup that blends rotation and continuity, while Villarreal arrives with a potent, high-pressure attack and a history of tough visits to Balaídos. Key storylines include Ionut Radu’s role, Zaragoza’s potential debut start, and how Aspas, Jutglá, and Bryan Zaragoza link up against a dangerous Villarreal side. If Celta can control the game’s pace and exploit spaces behind Villarreal’s defense, they stand a good chance of padding their progress ahead of the break.