Celta — Villarreal : Match Preview and Prediction for August 31,2025

Celta’s Disappointing Start

Following their performance last season, Celta were once again widely considered strong contenders for a European qualification spot. However, their dreadful start to the current campaign paints a starkly different picture.

Early Season Struggles

The home side surprisingly faltered in their opening home fixture against Getafe, suffering a dry 0-2 defeat. This was followed by two consecutive draws, both 1-1, against Mallorca and Betis, where they had to come from behind to salvage a point in each match.

Defensive Vulnerabilities

Significant defensive vulnerabilities have been apparent, with four goals conceded in just three matches. Notably, two of these goals were directly attributed to defensive errors. This pattern of defensive frailty was also observed during pre-season, where Claudio Giraldez’s squad averaged 1.12 goals conceded per game.

Squad Reshuffle and New Signings

Celta’s management has largely reshaped their squad, offloading three players while acquiring four new talents. Notable departures include Fer Lopez and Jorgen Strand Larsen, both moving to Wolverhampton, and Miguel Rodriguez, who joined Utrecht. Among the incoming players are several intriguing names: Borja Iglesias from Betis, Bryan Zaragoza from Bayern, Ferran Jutgla from Club Brugge, and Ilaix Moriba from RB Leipzig.

Team Availability for Celta

For this particular encounter, Giraldez will be without the services of Starfelt.

Villarreal’s Strongest Start

Villarreal has enjoyed their strongest start to a season in the past five years. They first effortlessly dispatched newcomers Real Oviedo with a 2-0 victory at home, followed by an astonishingly comfortable 5-0 thrashing of Girona. Against the Catalans, the “Yellow Submarine” employed a high-pressing strategy that yielded substantial rewards, scoring four goals within the initial 30 minutes.

Pre-Season Concerns vs Current Form

The visitors had faced considerable criticism for a disappointing pre-season campaign, where their only victory was a 3-2 win against Arsenal, alongside four draws and three defeats. Their defensive performance was particularly concerning, with Marcelino’s side conceding an average of 1.75 goals per game. However, it appears the Spanish coach has effectively addressed these defensive issues.

Squad Adjustments for Villarreal

Villarreal faces a challenging period, having first sold Alejandro Baena to Atletico Madrid, and more recently, Yeremy Pino to Crystal Palace. While they have brought in Renato Veiga from Chelsea, Alberto Moleiro from Las Palmas, and Álvaro Mourinho from Atletico, these new acquisitions will require proper integration into the squad.

Team Availability for Villarreal

Marcelino has not included four players in the match squad: Kambwala, Cabañes, Moreno, and Costa.