Celta Vigo vs Alavés 18.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

The two sides arrive at this clash carrying very different momentum. Celta Vigo have stretched their unbeaten run to five La Liga matches, yet an abundance of draws prevents them from climbing the standings. The Basque visitors, in contrast, enjoyed a bright start to the season but have since faltered badly, failing to win in their last four outings. At Balaidos, the hosts will look to extend their unbeaten streak, while the visitors desperately need to end their slide.

Celta: Defense as a Foundation

Claudio Giraldez’s side has gradually steadied the ship in La Liga, but victories remain scarce. Over the last five rounds, the Galicians have not lost a single match – yet four of those ended in draws. After thrashing Racing Santander 5-0, Celta were held to a goalless stalemate by Elche. Remarkably, they have conceded only six goals in eight league games – the best defensive record in the division before the ninth matchday. Athletic Bilbao have also let in six, but they have played two fewer fixtures. On the other hand, Celta have scored just eight times themselves. For all their solidity at the back, a lack of cutting edge prevents them from turning good runs into regular wins.

Additional problems stem from a congested calendar. On Thursday, Celta lost 1‑2 to Juventus in the Europa League, and now they face another league fixture just three days later. Giraldez has limited rotation options due to a mounting injury list. Borja Iglesias, Carl Starfelt, Miguel Román, and Jons El-Abdellaoui are all sidelined, while Pablo Durán is a doubt. Iglesias’s absence is especially painful – he netted 14 goals last season. If Durán also cannot play, the attacking options become even thinner.

Alaves: Second‑Half Lapses

Alaves began the campaign in fine form, picking up ten points from their first four matches, but the trajectory has since turned sharply. In the next four league games, Kike Sánchez Flores’s men managed only a single point – a goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao, followed by defeats to Racing (1‑2), Valencia (0‑1), and Atlético Madrid (1‑2). Against Atlético, Alaves actually performed respectably until Ángel Pérez’s 61st‑minute red card tilted the balance. Once a man up, the Madrid side turned up the pressure and snatched a late winner. A recurring theme in this slump is the team’s vulnerability after the interval: in all three losses, the score was level at halftime, only for Alaves to concede the decisive goal in the second half.

Personnel issues add to Sánchez Flores’s headache. Mikel Rodríguez is out injured, and Ángel Pérez is suspended following his red card. However, Alaves still have a potent weapon in attack: Lucas Boyé has scored five goals in seven league appearances and remains the side’s main threat. This heavy reliance on the Argentine, combined with the overall downturn in form, could prove limiting – especially against a Celta side boasting one of the division’s stingiest defenses.

Predicted Lineups

Celta Vigo (3‑4‑2‑1): Radu – Cáceres, Lago, Alonso – A. Núñez, Febas, Moriba, Galán – Aspas, González – Jutglà Unavailable: Starfelt, Iglesias, Román, El-Abdellaoui, Durán (all doubtful) Coach: Claudio Giraldez

Alavés (5‑3‑2): Sivera – Tenaglia, Castro, Quski, Valentini, Rebbach – Ibáñez, Blanco, Suárez – T. Martínez, Boyé Unavailable: M. Rodríguez (injury), A. Pérez (suspension), Garcés (withdrawal) Coach: Kike Sánchez Flores

Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero

Munuera Montero has officiated four La Liga matches this season, averaging 3.25 yellow cards and 21.25 fouls per game. He has shown one red card and, notably, awarded four penalties in that span. While he has been fairly lenient with bookings so far, he has been very quick to point to the spot.

Prediction & Bet

Main pick: Celta Vigo to win at 2.18. The Galicians are in decent form and remain unbeaten across five league games. Alaves, in contrast, have hit a rough patch and are yet to win an away fixture this season (three trips, no victories). Head‑to‑head history also favors Celta: in the last four meetings, the hosts have avoided defeat three times and won twice. Given current form and home advantage, backing a Celta win at 2.18 looks appealing.

Goals pick: Both teams to score – No at 1.80. Celta have been rock‑solid at the back, conceding only twice in their last five league matches and keeping three clean sheets during that stretch. Alaves have struggled to score lately, finding the net just once in their previous three league outings and drawing blanks twice. Moreover, both teams employ a three‑center‑back system, which can further complicate the creation of clear‑cut chances. A bet on both teams NOT to score at 1.80 seems logical.