Alaves’ 2 Away Goals Put Celta Vigo’s Home Attack Under Focus

The home-away question

The defining contrast is Celta Vigo’s uneven home record against Alaves’ low-scoring away campaign. Celta have won 1, drawn 1 and lost 2 of their home games this season, scoring 7 and conceding 5. Alaves have won 0, drawn 2 and lost 1 away, scoring 2 and conceding 3, with 1 clean sheet.

That makes Celta’s ability to turn home possession into goals the key pre-match question, though the available formations alone do not establish either side’s plan. Celta have used a 3-4-3 in 8 matches, while Alaves have used a 3-5-2 in 5 and a 5-3-2 in 3.

Table position and current form

The provisional standings place Alaves seventh with 11 points from 8 games, three points ahead of ninth-placed Celta Vigo, who have 8 points from 8 games. Celta’s most recent 8 results are Draw, Loss, Loss, Draw, Draw, Draw, Win, Draw. Alaves’ 8-match sequence is Win, Draw, Win, Win, Loss, Loss, Draw, Loss. The result therefore offers both teams a chance to improve their position in the regular-season table.

Goal threat and absences

L. Boyé carries Alaves’ clearest scoring record, with 5 goals in 7 appearances. M. Díaz has 3 goals and 3 assists in 8 appearances. Celta list P. Duran, J. El Abdellaoui, B. Iglesias, M. Roman and C. Starfelt as missing through calf, knee, muscle, knee and muscle injuries respectively. Alaves list F. Garces as suspended, A. Perez with a red-card absence and M. Rodriguez with an ankle injury.

Can Celta’s home attack produce more than Alaves’ 2 away goals this season at kickoff?