Celta Vigo vs Barcelona: Preview, predictions and lineups

Barcelona visit Celta Vigo in their first outing following the November international break on Saturday evening as they seek to extend their lead atop La Liga.

La Blaugrana entered the recent club hiatus on a sour note after suffering a surprise defeat away at Real Sociedad, but they have built a healthy lead at the summit of La Liga. While Real Madrid do have a game in hand on their Clasico foes, Barca are currently perched six points ahead of the defending champions.

Hansi Flick's side have been in exceptional form in 2024/25, scoring 40 goals and conceding just 12 across their opening 13 league matches. A visit to mid-table Celta should see them get back on track ahead of a midweek Champions League encounter with Brest.

Claudio Giraldez's side have been predictably mediocre this term and their inconsistent displays see them sitting in the middle of the pack. They have put up a fight in home defeats to Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this term and will have to do the same at home to Barca on Saturday night.

Here is 90min's guide to Celta Vigo vs Barcelona.

Celta Vigo vs Barcelona H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Celta Vigo vs Barcelona on TV - UK and US

Giraldez may favour a defensive set-up / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Celta don't have many fitness concerns ahead of Barcelona's visit but the trio of Jailson, Sergio Carreira and Luca de la Torre are doubts to feature.

Giraldez is likely to opt for defensive security on Saturday evening and former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso could make up a back three. La Masia product Ilaix Moriba could also line up in midfield to help protect the backline.

At the other end, Celta will be relying on former Liverpool striker and club legend Iago Aspas to test Barca's defence, while the on-loan Borja Iglesias has also been in strong goalscoring form this term.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Barcelona

Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Barcelona (3-4-2-1): Guaita; J Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Moriba, Beltran, Ristic; Bamba, Aspas; Iglesias.

Lamine Yamal will be absent on Saturday / Nikola Krstic/MB Media/GettyImages

Injuries have been rampant for Barcelona this season and they remain without a host of key figures, including youngster Lamine Yamal. The teenager was absent from the defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break and he's unlikely to return for the weekend clash with Celta.

Elsewhere, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, Eric Garcia, Ansu Fati and Andreas Christensen are all unavailable. The latter's comeback has been delayed by surgery undergone in recent weeks.

In better news, Ferran Torres is available once again following a hamstring issue and Robert Lewandowski, who missed the November internationals due to a back problem, is back in training ahead of Saturday's trip to Vigo.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Olmo, Torres; Lewandowski.

Barcelona suffered a shock defeat before the international period but should come roaring back against Celta. They will be without the influential Yamal but they retain enough attacking firepower to punish one of the division's leakiest defences.

Only a handful of La Liga sides have scored more than Celta this season and they will have the attacking muscle to unnerve a Barcelona defence prone to a lapse in concentration.

However, Flick's men should see off the challenge with relative ease and pull further clear atop La Liga.

Prediction: Celta Vigo 1-3 Barcelona

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