Celta Vigo vs Alaves - La Liga

The La Liga returns to the home ground on March 22, 2026, where Celta Vigo and Alaves will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Manchester City face the K-League All-Stars in Seoul on Wednesday as part of their pre-season tour of Asia.

The two sides arrive with plenty to prove, and the La Liga contest at the home ground offers a chance to lay down a marker. The hosts are desperate for a lift, with LLLWD in their last five and a win rate of 0% that underscores the size of the task facing them. On their travels the visitors have been workmanlike, LL in their last five and a win rate of 50% to show for it. Where Celta Vigo have built their campaign on solidity, Alaves have often chased flair, and that fundamental difference should make for compelling viewing. Arsenal also saw the importance of having good depth at right-back when Mosquera was forced to start the Champions League final with PSG out of position - which then resulted in the young Spaniard conceding a penalty.

Stylistically, this is a compelling matchup. Celta Vigo favour a patient, possession-based approach, whereas Alaves are at their most dangerous when allowed to hit quickly on the counter. In attack, Brazilian forward Kaua Elias has emerged as a name of interest, with United scouts watching the Shakhtar Donetsk striker after his hat‑trick against Kudrivka on Monday.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones graduates from the PFA Business School alongside Tim Krul, Danny Simpson and Ilkay Gündogan among others.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. Expect a tight, competitive affair that could easily end all square at 2-2. With positions in the La Liga table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.