Match Overview
Celta Vigo welcome Athletic Bilbao in a tight La Liga matchup on Sunday. The hosts seek to build on recent improvements in attack, while Athletic lean on a reliable defense to stay in the European conversation. Their last meeting finished 2-1 to Athletic, and head-to-head trends suggest another close contest. Expect a disciplined battle decided by fine margins.
- Fixture: Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao
- Competition: La Liga
- Venue: Not provided
- Date: 14-12-2025
- Kickoff: 15:15 / 15:15 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Celta Vigo
- I. Radu
- Sergio Carreira
- Óscar Mingueza
- Javi Rodríguez
- Marcos Alonso
- I. Moriba
- Hugo Sotelo
- Miguel Román
- Fran Beltrán
- Borja Iglesias
- Pablo Durán
Athletic Bilbao
- Unai Simón
- Yuri
- Jesús Areso
- Dani Vivian
- Aitor Paredes
- Mikel Jauregizar
- Ruíz de Galarreta
- Oihan Sancet
- Unai Gómez
- Álex Berenguer
- Gorka Guruzeta
Injury & Suspension Report
Celta Vigo
- Carlos Domínguez – Muscle Injury
- Bryan Zaragoza – Muscle Injury
- J. Aidoo – Muscle Injury
- Pablo Durán – Shoulder Injury
Athletic Bilbao
- Robert Navarro – Ankle Injury
- Yeray – Doping
- Beñat Prados – Knee Injury
- Unai Eguíluz – Knee Injury
- Maroan Sannadi – Knee Injury
- Aymeric Laporte – Muscle Injury
Head-to-Head
Athletic hold the historical edge, leading the series with 26 wins to Celta’s 14, alongside 16 draws across 56 meetings. Recent clashes have typically been tight and lower scoring, with Athletic winning 2-1 in their January encounter.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Celta Vigo enter with steady but modest momentum: two wins in their last five and seven goals scored in that span. Their approach has leaned toward patient possession and controlled tempo, often producing under one goal per game against comparable opponents while conceding slightly more. Even so, they can strike decisively in transitions, highlighted by W. Swedberg’s recent brace away at Real Madrid, a reminder of the cutting edge they can find when space opens up.
Athletic Bilbao’s shape and discipline have been their foundation. They have two wins and a draw in their last five, but only three goals scored, underlining an attack that has cooled. At the back, Unai Simón’s form and the protection from Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes have delivered four recent clean sheets and eight overall this season across competitions. With Aymeric Laporte unavailable and Yeray out, maintaining that defensive standard will be key away from home.
Midfield control could decide the rhythm. For Celta, Fran Beltrán and I. Moriba will be tasked with moving the ball through pressure and supporting Borja Iglesias and Pablo Durán. Athletic’s Oihan Sancet provides a creative link, while Ruíz de Galarreta and Mikel Jauregizar offer balance in possession and cover in front of the back line. If Athletic’s press pins Celta deep, transitions for Álex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta become pivotal; conversely, if Celta control phases, their circulation can create the half-spaces they’ve used well in recent weeks.
Athletic Bilbao eyes a vital La Liga berth as the Lions hunt European pride, with Vigo’s Celestes atmosphere looming large.
With European positions in sight, Athletic’s priority is to bank points through solidity and game management. Their recent clean-sheet record suggests they can absorb long spells without the ball and still create enough through Sancet’s line-breaking passes and Guruzeta’s movement. For Celta, incremental attacking gains and confidence from headline performances, such as Swedberg’s brace, will encourage a front-foot approach without overcommitting.
Prediction: a cautious, balanced game with limited clear chances. Draw 1-1.