Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid Soccer Expert Picks & Predictions

Celta has only managed to win one of their opening nine league games of the season for a total of six points, leaving them 18th in the table, level on points with 19th-placed Granada.

Celta finished 13th in Spain’s top flight last season. They have been present in La Liga since earning promotion in the 2011-12 campaign, so it would be a surprise to see them drop out of the league this term.

On top of that, they have a new and super-experienced manager. Rafa Benitez signed a three-way deal with Celta last summer. The former Liverpool, Newcastle, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Napoli, Inter Milan, and Valencia boss is determined to earn his side a European spot next season.

He is one of the most successful coaches in the history of his country and has coached world-class teams in the main European leagues, but he also needs support from the investors and new players in his squad.

Atletico Madrid on Fire

Atletico edged a close game against Real Sociedad before the international break, with Antoine Griezmann’s 89th-minute penalty securing a 2-1 victory at Wanda Metropolitano.

La Liga betting favorite sits fourth in Spain’s top flight on 19 points, five behind leader Real Madrid with a game in hand, as their fixture with Sevilla, scheduled for the start of September, was postponed due to bad weather.

Atletico has a huge European fixture away to Celtic next week, while they are entering a kind run of fixtures in La Liga, so it would not be a surprise if the team continued to put wins on the board. We will continue to include them in our soccer expert picks.

Atletico will be without the services of Vitolo, Jose Gimenez, Memphis Depay, Thomas Lemar, and Reinildo for this weekend’s contest. Angel Correa, Caglar Soyuncu, and Pablo Barrios are major doubts.

Celta Vigo Winless at Home

The home fans at Estadio de Balaidos in Vigo are yet to celebrate a La Liga win this term. This is Celta’s worst nine-game start this century. Meanwhile, Atletico is the only Spanish top-flight club to win their last four games before the international break, including high-profile scalps of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad.

Celta Vigo’s last 28 domestic league home games all saw at least one goal scored. Atletico won each of their previous four head-to-heads against Celta Vigo, scoring nine goals. Celta’s last victory against Atletico at this venue came in 2018.

Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid Match Information

• Match: Celta Vigo (1-3-5) vs. Atletico Madrid (6-1-1)
• Location: Estadio de Balaidos, Vigo, Spain
• Day/Time: Saturday, Oct. 21, 3 p.m. ET
• Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid Live Stream: Fox, Fubo.tv

Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid Betting Lines

Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid Betting Picks for Oct. 21

The visitors enter this clash as favorites, priced at +107 on the three-way moneyline according to the latest La Liga odds, while the goal line is set at 2½.

A series of devastating injury setbacks, the latest upon defender Joseph Aidoo, who was seen on crutches after Ghana’s game against Mexico last week, has contributed to Celta Vigo’s disappointing season. We don’t see that improve soon, and combined with Atletico’s great run of form, we are obliged to back the visitors on the moneyline.

Soccer Pick: Atletico Madrid ML (+107)

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