Celta Vigo vs Lille: Prediction, Team News, and Lineup Preview
On Thursday night, Celta Vigo will face Lille at the Estadio de Balaidos in their critical Europa League matchup. This meeting marks the first competitive encounter between the two clubs.
Celta Vigo’s Recent Form
Celta Vigo has had a strong start in 2026, winning all three of their La Liga matches against Valencia, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano. They have scored 11 goals while conceding just one. Their latest victory was a 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, which extended their unbeaten streak in the league to six matches (five wins and one draw).
Currently, Celta Vigo is positioned seventh in La Liga, tied on points with Real Betis and just two points behind Espanyol. However, their Europa League campaign has not been as successful, as they currently sit 19th in the standings after winning three and losing three of their six fixtures. With only two games left, they are four points away from automatic last-16 qualification and hope to secure a spot in the knockout round playoffs.
Lille’s Challenges
In stark contrast, Lille enters this match struggling, having lost their first three games of 2026. They recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Lyon in the Coupe de France and a 3-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. This has caused Lille to slip from third to fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings.
Bruno Genesio’s side needs a significant victory to boost their morale and secure their place in the Europa League knockout round. They currently have only three points from four matches in the League Phase and are similarly at risk of failing to qualify, especially if they lose again to Celta Vigo.
Injury and Suspension Updates
Celta Vigo
- Mourning the absence of midfielder Ilaix Moriba (suspended).
- Expect Miguel Roman or Fran Beltran to step in alongside Hugo Sotelo in midfield.
- Pablo Duran seeks to start after recent scoring success.
Lille
- Missing left-back Mihailo Ristic due to a muscle strain.
- Hamza Igamane has an ACL injury, affecting their depth in defense.
- Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the attack due to a lack of available forwards.
Predictions and Expectations
This match is critical for both teams, especially Celta Vigo, who aim to maintain their positions in European competition. Historically, Celta has struggled against French teams, winning only once in five matches. However, with their current form, they are favored to win this match.
The expected scoreline leans towards a narrow victory for Celta Vigo, with a predicted final outcome of 2-1.
