Celta Vs Osasuna

Celta Vigo and Osasuna will both be aiming to capitalize on their recent positive performances as they resume their respective La Liga campaigns with a crucial encounter at the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos this Friday night.

The home side delivered a commendable display last weekend, holding Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano. Meanwhile, Osasuna also secured a hard-fought 1-1 stalemate against Real Madrid, with both results paving the way for Barcelona to reclaim the top spot in the league standings.

Celta Vigo, under the guidance of Claudio Giráldez, showcased resilience and determination in their clash against Atletico Madrid. Despite the home side being reduced to 10 men, Celta managed to break the deadlock in the 68th minute when their captain and talisman, Iago Aspas, confidently converted from the penalty spot. However, their hopes of securing a victory were dashed late in the game when Alexander Sørloth found the back of the net, ensuring Atletico salvaged a draw. Although disappointed not to take all three points, Celta will still take immense confidence from their performance against one of the league's title contenders.

The Sky Blues have been in decent form lately, accumulating four points from their last two matches. Prior to the draw against Atletico, they secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Betis in front of their home fans on February 8. That result demonstrated their attacking capabilities and ability to find the back of the net against strong opposition.

As it stands, Celta hold a league record of eight wins, five draws, and 11 defeats from their 24 matches this season, giving them a total of 29 points. They currently occupy 14th place in the standings, but the situation remains highly competitive. With only three points separating them from eighth-placed Real Betis, there is still plenty to play for as the season progresses.

Last season, Celta finished 13th in La Liga, and while they have displayed some inconsistency, they have proven to be one of the more entertaining teams to watch in Spain's top flight. Their attacking output has been impressive, with 35 goals scored in 24 matches, highlighting their offensive prowess. However, defensive frailties have been a concern, as they have conceded 38 goals, making them one of the most vulnerable teams at the back. In fact, they have the joint-third worst defensive record in the division, something they will need to address if they wish to climb further up the table.

One aspect working in Celta’s favor is their home form. They have the fifth-best home record in La Liga this season, amassing 23 points from 12 matches. Seven of their eight wins have come at Balaídos, underlining their strength when playing in front of their supporters. This home advantage could play a significant role as they prepare to take on an Osasuna side that has encountered difficulties on the road this season.

Osasuna, led by Vicente Moreno, have struggled away from home, managing only one win from their 11 away fixtures in La Liga so far. Alongside that solitary victory, they have recorded six draws and four defeats, which has made their away record one of the least impressive in the league. Additionally, their offensive output on their travels has been particularly underwhelming. With just seven goals scored away from home, Osasuna shares the joint-worst attacking record on the road with Valencia, a statistic that does not bode well as they prepare to face a Celta side that thrives at Balaídos.

Despite their struggles away from home, Osasuna have managed to accumulate 32 points from 24 matches this season. That total places them in ninth position in the La Liga standings, three points ahead of Celta and just three points shy of sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano. With the European qualification spots within touching distance, Osasuna remain firmly in the race for continental football next season.

The Pamplona-based outfit will head into this fixture with confidence, having held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at El Sadar in their previous outing. In that contest, Kylian Mbappé gave the reigning champions an early lead in the 15th minute, but a major turning point arrived when Jude Bellingham was sent off. Taking advantage of their numerical superiority, Osasuna fought back and managed to level the score just before the hour mark, with Ante Budimir converting a penalty to secure a well-earned point. That result extended their unbeaten streak in La Liga to five matches, reinforcing their status as a tough team to beat.

Historically, Osasuna have had the upper hand against Celta in recent meetings. Earlier this season, Los Rojillos emerged victorious in a thrilling 3-2 encounter when the two sides met in the reverse fixture. Additionally, last season, Osasuna secured a commanding 2-0 win at Balaídos, highlighting their ability to get positive results against the Galician side. Celta will be keen to avenge those defeats and make the most of their home advantage in Friday's contest.

With both teams carrying momentum from impressive draws against Madrid-based giants, this fixture is poised to be an intriguing battle. Celta will aim to capitalize on their strong home record and attacking prowess, while Osasuna will be eager to break their struggles on the road and continue their push for a European qualification spot. As the La Liga season enters a crucial phase, every point becomes increasingly valuable, setting the stage for an entertaining clash at Balaídos.