With the La Liga title wrapped up and the second leg of their Champions League semi-final approaching, Barcelona travel to struggling Celta Vigo this weekend.
Ernesto Valverde is likely to make plenty of changes to his starting eleven at the Estadio Balaidos, while Celta will be fully motivated to try and get something out of what is a crucial game for them.
Latest odds
Celta have won their last three home games, although they begin the weekend still just two points above the relegation zone. Fran Escriba’s team have won two and drawn one of their last three home La Liga clashes against Barcelona and William Hill offer them at 11/10 (2.10).
That price that takes into account the weakened side that the visitors are likely to field, as does the 23/10 (3.30) available on the Catalans. The draw is available at 27/10 (3.70).
Team news
Valverde made wholesale changes to the starting eleven at Huesca two weeks ago, giving debuts youngsters Riqui Puig, Jean-Clair Todibo and Moussa Wague, as well as handing rare starts to Kevin Prince-Boateng, Jeisson Murillo and Malcom. We should expect Saturday’s lineup to be extremely similar.
Celta will have captain Iago Aspas fit for the game despite picking up a knock last weekend at Leganes.
Preview
There will be plenty of punters opposing Barcelona this weekend and rightly so. There is little to be gained for the Catalans from the game and all focus will be on their trip to Anfield, despite them holding a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Indeed with the league won, Valverde may chose to field an even more youthful team than he did at Huesca and that should give hope to the hosts.
Celta’s current situation looks much more promising since the return from injury of top scorer Aspas, with the former Liverpool forward netting six goals in six games.
The hosts have scored at home against every side currently in the top seven this season and if they are to score against Barca, Aspas is by some distance their main goal threat.
Tips and predictions
Aspas is priced at 19/20 (1.95) to score at anytime, having netted in Celta’s last three home games. Despite missing nearly three months of the season, Aspas is still the top Spanish scorer in La Liga with 16 goals this season and has scored in each of Barca’s last three league visits to Vigo.
Iago Aspas to score at anytime at 19/20 (1.95) for a 2pt stake with William Hill
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