Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Saturday, 14 February

Espanyol will host Celta Vigo at the RCDE Stadium on Saturday, 14 February, in what promises to be an intriguing LaLiga encounter. This match is crucial for both sides as they look to climb the league table and secure valuable points. Espanyol, playing at home, will aim to use their familiarity with the RCDE Stadium to their advantage against their visitors.

Celta Vigo, meanwhile, will be eager to challenge Espanyol and prove their quality away from home. Both teams are keen to improve their standings in LaLiga, making this match a significant fixture in their respective campaigns. With both sides having much to play for, this encounter could offer plenty of action and opportunities for betting enthusiasts.

Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Both teams to score: yes	1.91

Considering both teams’ recent form and defensive vulnerabilities, our recommended betting tip is ‘Both Teams to Score (BTTS)’. Espanyol and Celta Vigo have shown tendencies to both score and concede goals during crucial periods, making this a promising bet.

• Celta Vigo have conceded most goals in the 61-75 minute interval this season, showing defensive lapses at critical times.
• Espanyol have conceded most goals in the 31-45 and 46-60 minute intervals, indicating vulnerability in both halves.
• The last encounter between these teams at Espanyol’s home ground ended 3-1, showcasing their ability to score against each other.

With Espanyol’s Pere Milla in good scoring form and Celta Vigo’s ability to find the net in the latter stages of matches, goals from both sides seem likely.

Betting Odds

Espanyol are stepping onto their home turf at the RCDE Stadium as slight favourites with betting odds of 2.43. However, Celta Vigo, with odds of 3.00, should not be underestimated given their knack for pulling off surprises in away matches.

Betting Tip	Odds
Espanyol to win	2.43
Draw	3.17
Celta Vigo to win	3

The draw is priced at 3.17, reflecting the tight nature of this LaLiga clash. For those looking at alternative markets, both teams have shown tendencies to score, making the over 2.5 goals market worth considering.

Espanyol Analysis & Past Performance

Espanyol enter this fixture on the back of a challenging run, with their last five LaLiga matches yielding no victories—four losses and a solitary draw against Levante (1-1). This run has seen them concede 12 goals while only finding the net five times, averaging a disappointing 1.00 goal per game scored and 2.40 conceded. Their recent 4-1 defeat to Villarreal highlighted ongoing defensive frailties and an inability to maintain possession effectively, despite marginally leading with 51% possession.

Home Side	Away Side	Outcome	League	Date
Villarreal	Espanyol	4 – 1 (Defeat)	La Liga	9 Feb 2026
Espanyol	Deportivo Alaves	1 – 2 (Defeat)	La Liga	30 Jan 2026
Valencia	Espanyol	3 – 2 (Defeat)	La Liga	24 Jan 2026
Espanyol	Girona	0 – 2 (Defeat)	La Liga	16 Jan 2026
Levante	Espanyol	1 – 1 (Draw)	La Liga	11 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Espanyol’s home form has been slightly better, with two wins in their last five home encounters, albeit still marred by three losses. The team has struggled to keep clean sheets, failing to do so in their last five matches, which underlines defensive vulnerabilities. Their scoring rate at home averages 1.00 goals per match while conceding 1.60, showcasing an urgent need for tactical adjustments to improve their defensive solidity.

Espanyol’s league position reflects their current form, sitting 6th with 34 points, indicating a mid-table standing. Pere Milla remains Espanyol’s leading threat up front, having contributed six goals this season. However, for Espanyol to improve their win ratio and secure a higher league standing, addressing both defensive and attacking inconsistencies will be crucial.

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Espanyol Suspensions & Injuries

Espanyol face a significant setback with the absence of Javi Puado due to a cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out for the season. This injury deprives Espanyol of a versatile attacking option, potentially impacting their ability to break down defences. Puado’s absence necessitates a tactical adjustment, with the team likely relying more heavily on Roberto Fernández in the forward role.

Additionally, the absence of Carlos Romero and Ramon Terrats further limits Espanyol’s squad depth. Though not part of the starting lineup, their injuries constrain the options available to coach Manolo González, particularly in terms of rotation and tactical flexibility. This could influence the team’s stamina and strategic options as the match progresses.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Javi Puado	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for the season

With no suspensions affecting the lineup, Espanyol can focus on optimising their available players. However, the injuries might push the coach to consider a more conservative approach, emphasising defensive solidity to compensate for the reduced attacking options. This could influence the betting markets, potentially making Espanyol a less favourable option given their current squad limitations.

Espanyol Key Players

Espanyol’s top scorer, Pere Milla, who has netted 6 goals this season, is pivotal in their attacking setup. Operating from midfield, Milla’s ability to transition from defence to attack quickly and his knack for finding the back of the net make him a constant threat. His partnership with Tyrhys Dolan, another key midfielder, could prove crucial in breaking down Celta Vigo’s defence. Dolan’s agility and dribbling skills complement Milla’s goal-scoring prowess, creating a dynamic midfield duo.

Defensively, Leandro Cabrera stands out as a formidable presence. His leadership at the back and aerial ability are vital for Espanyol to maintain solidity against the attacking threats posed by Celta Vigo. Alongside him, Fernando Calero’s tackling and positioning will be essential in thwarting opposition advances.

Expected lineup for Espanyol:

• Goalkeeper: Marko Dmitrovic
• Defenders: Omar El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Jose Salinas
• Midfielders: Urko Gonzalez de Zarate, Pere Milla, Tyrhys Dolan, Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito
• Forward: Roberto Fernandez

Tactically, Espanyol will likely rely on their midfield strength to control the game’s tempo. With Milla driving forward and Cabrera anchoring the defence, Espanyol aim to balance attack and defence effectively. Their ability to execute quick transitions through the midfield could be decisive in exploiting any gaps in Celta Vigo’s setup.

Espanyol Tactics and Formation

Espanyol Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Roberto Fernández
• Midfield Pivot: Urko González de Zárate and Pol Lozano
• Defensive Challenge: Conceded an average of 2.4 goals in the last five games
• Notable Strategy: Strong midfield presence but vulnerable defensive transitions.

Espanyol’s 4-2-3-1 formation is designed to provide a balanced approach between defence and attack. The midfield pivot of Urko González de Zárate and Pol Lozano is critical for maintaining possession and breaking up opposition play, allowing Pere Milla to operate effectively as an attacking midfielder.

Defensively, Espanyol have struggled, conceding 12 goals in their last five matches. The backline, consisting of Omar El Hilali, Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, and Jose Salinas, has been under pressure, failing to secure clean sheets due to vulnerabilities during defensive transitions.

Offensively, Espanyol look to Roberto Fernández to lead the line, with support from wingers Tyrhys Dolan and Edu Expósito. Despite their recent struggles, the team aims to leverage their midfield strength to create opportunities and improve their scoring consistency.

Celta Vigo Analysis & Past Performance

Celta Vigo’s recent form has been inconsistent, with only one win in their last five matches across all competitions. This stretch includes a disappointing 1-2 loss against Osasuna at home and a goalless draw against Getafe. These results highlight Celta Vigo’s struggle to convert home advantage into victories, which is concerning as they prepare to face Espanyol away.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Celta Vigo	Osasuna	1 – 2 (Loss)	LaLiga	6 Feb 2026
Getafe	Celta Vigo	0 – 0 (Draw)	LaLiga	1 Feb 2026
FK Crvena Zvezda	Celta Vigo	1 – 1 (Draw)	Europa League	29 Jan 2026
Real Sociedad	Celta Vigo	3 – 1 (Loss)	LaLiga	25 Jan 2026
Celta Vigo	Lille	2 – 1 (Win)	Europa League	22 Jan 2026

Recent Form:
Celta Vigo’s attack has been underwhelming, scoring an average of 1.00 goals per match over their last five games, and managing to find the net in four of these encounters. Defensively, they have conceded an average of 1.40 goals per game, keeping only one clean sheet during this period. Their inability to secure clean sheets consistently has been a point of concern, impacting their overall performance.

In away matches, Celta Vigo have shown slightly better resilience with a record of one win, one loss, and three draws from their last five games on the road. Despite this, their away win ratio stands at 20%, indicating performance issues outside their home ground. Currently, Celta Vigo sit 7th in the LaLiga standings with 33 points, reflecting a mid-table stability that belies their recent struggles on the pitch.

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Celta Vigo Suspensions & Injuries

Celta Vigo face some challenges with injuries as they prepare for their upcoming match against Espanyol. Key players such as Jaime Vázquez, who is out with a groin injury, and Álvaro Núñez, also suffering from a groin issue, are expected to be unavailable. The absence of these players could impact Celta Vigo’s depth, particularly in the midfield and attacking areas, where their creativity and experience might be missed.

Andrés Antañón is also sidelined with a muscle injury, with a return slated for late February 2026. This further limits the options available to coach Claudio Giráldez, who may need to rely more heavily on younger or less experienced squad members to fill these gaps. Players like Ilaix Moriba and Sergio Carreira will likely see increased responsibility in midfield due to these absences.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Jaime Vázquez	Groin strain	Unknown
Álvaro Núñez	Groin strain	Late February 2026
Andrés Antañón	Muscle strain	Late February 2026

With no suspensions affecting the squad, Celta Vigo will likely maintain their 3-4-3 formation, but the tactical impact of these injuries might lead to a more cautious approach, especially in midfield transitions. The betting markets might see this as a potential advantage for Espanyol, given the weakened state of Celta Vigo’s lineup.

Celta Vigo Key Players

Celta Vigo’s attacking prowess is spearheaded by their top scorer, Borja Iglesias, who has impressively netted 9 goals this season. Known for his clinical finishing and intelligent positioning, Iglesias is a constant threat to any defensive setup. His ability to hold up play and link with fellow forwards Fer López and Hugo Álvarez adds a dynamic edge to Celta Vigo’s attack, making them a formidable force in the final third.

In midfield, Ilaix Moriba plays a pivotal role as a playmaker. His vision and passing range are crucial in transitioning the ball from defence to attack, while his ability to control the tempo of the game provides balance to the team. Defensively, Carl Starfelt’s presence offers solidity and composure, essential in organising the backline and thwarting opposition advances.

Expected lineup for Celta Vigo:

• Goalkeeper: Ionut Andrei Radu
• Defence: Javi Rodríguez, Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso
• Midfield: Javi Rueda, Ilaix Moriba, Miguel Román, Sergio Carreira
• Forward: Fer López, Borja Iglesias, Hugo Álvarez

Celta Vigo Tactics and Formation

Celta Vigo Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 3-4-3
• Key Forward: Borja Iglesias
• Midfield Engine: Ilaix Moriba
• Defensive Setup: Three-man backline with Marcos Alonso
• Notable Strategy: High pressing and wide play to exploit spaces.

Celta Vigo’s 3-4-3 formation is designed to maximise their attacking potential while maintaining defensive stability. With Borja Iglesias as the key forward, he is supported by wingers Fer López and Hugo Álvarez, providing width and pace. In midfield, Ilaix Moriba is pivotal in driving the team forward, linking defence with attack.

Defensively, the trio of Javi Rodríguez, Carl Starfelt, and Marcos Alonso forms a solid backline. This setup allows Celta Vigo to cover wide areas effectively while maintaining central compactness. The presence of Alonso adds experience and leadership to the defensive unit, which is crucial given their recent struggles to keep clean sheets.

Offensively, Celta Vigo emphasise high pressing, aiming to regain possession quickly and exploit spaces, particularly on the flanks. This tactic has led to a mixed run of form, with 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in their last five games, highlighting the need for consistency in their defensive transitions.

Espanyol vs Celta Vigo Head-to-Head Record

Espanyol and Celta Vigo have faced off 42 times, with Espanyol winning 17 matches, Celta Vigo 13, and 13 games ending in a draw. The last meeting saw Espanyol triumph 1-0 away at Celta Vigo in LaLiga, showcasing their recent dominance.

When these two met at the RCDE Stadium last in LaLiga, Espanyol secured a convincing 3-1 win. Historically, Espanyol have been strong at home against Celta Vigo, which might give them an edge in this fixture.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Celta Vigo	Espanyol	0 – 1	LaLiga	2025-11-30
Celta Vigo	Espanyol	0 – 2	LaLiga	2025-04-12
Espanyol	Celta Vigo	3 – 1	LaLiga	2024-11-30
Espanyol	Celta Vigo	1 – 3	LaLiga	2023-03-18
Espanyol	Celta Vigo	1 – 1 (Extra time: 2 – 0)	Copa del Rey	2023-01-03