Barcelona v Celta Vigo Betting Tips [10 May 2022]

Only three matches remain in the La Liga season when second-place Barcelona take on 11th place Celta Vigo for matchday 36 at the Camp Nou in the capital of Cataluña. Barcelona triumphed 2-1 over Real Betis in their last match after a 94th minute Jordi Alba goal gave the Blaugrana their second consecutive La Liga win and three wins from their last four. The result, coupled with back-to-back draws for third-place Sevilla, has seen the Catalans open up a five point lead over Los Nervionenses. Their opponents today have had a mixed season and sit 11th in the league table with a total of 43 points. With only nine more possible points on the table, Celta Vigo won’t be able to better the 53 points which saw them finish the 2020/21 campaign in eighth. Los Celestes come into this match in good form after a convincing attacking display saw them run out 4-0 winners over bottom-place Alaves in their last match.

The Barcelona faithful will surely be disappointed that bitter rivals Real Madrid have secured their record 35th league title and are through to the final of the Champions League, however, there is plenty to be optimistic about for next season. Xavi’s appointment as manager in November has rejuvenated the club and they look a much more convincing team under his stewardship. The former Al-Saad boss is 16-3-2 in La Liga since taking over and is averaging a stellar 2.26 points per league match. Barcelona come into this match as significant favorites to keep their strong run going against a Celta team that has struggled to get on the scoresheet when playing away from home. The visitors have failed to find the net in nine of their 17 away trips and have managed just 16 goals. Despite their offensive struggles, Celta’s stalwart defense has allowed them to remain competitive as they have kept a league high eight away clean sheets. While Barcelona have been largely excellent since the appointment of Xavi, they have been vulnerable at times and there are recent matches where the attack has stalled completely.

We’re going to back at least one team being held scoreless in this match. There is definite value in the bet at this price due to the visitors' impressive away defensive performances and Barcelona’s slight trend of failing to get going when playing at home in recent matches. Most likely we are looking at the hosts winning to nil as our route to cashing this bet but don’t count out this stout Celta defense’s ability to frustrate their opposition.