Celta Vigo vs. Osasuna 

Estadio de Balaidos forms the backdrop for a mid-table La Liga encounter between Celta Vigo and Osasuna.

Following a torrid start to the new calendar year, highlighted by a single point from four La Liga fixtures, Celta Vigo seems to have turned the corner. Indeed, Claudio Giraldez’s side held title-bidding Atletico Madrid to a spirited 1-1 away draw last weekend after pulling off a stellar 3-2 comeback against Betis to steer six points away from the bottom three. However, a lack of defensive resilience has recently plagued Celta’s ambition to join the upper half of the standings, with ‘Los Celestes’ failing to keep a clean sheet across their last eight outings in all competitions (W2, D2, L4). Despite significant defensive woes, the hosts have gone from strength to strength at Baladios, racking up three victories across their last four home league games (L1).

A clear majority (79%) of Celta’s La Liga points this term came on home turf (23/29), underscoring the magnitude of the task awaiting Osasuna this weekend. However, the visitors take this trip in high spirits after drawing 1-1 against table-topping Real Madrid last week. A fourth draw across their five La Liga matches since mid-January (W1) cemented their status as ‘stalemate specialists,’ with ‘Los Rojillos’ posting more draws (11) than any other top-flight team in Spain this season. Vicente Moreno’s side may have to settle for another share of the spoils, considering six of their 11 league travels this term have ended all square (W1, D6, L4). However, after winning their last two away league H2Hs, Osasuna may have a more ambitious plan ahead of this trip.