With all due respect to Celta, their current fourth place looks like a misunderstanding. Sooner or later, the Galicians will face a recession. They are not good enough to continue playing at the same level as in the first part of the season. Celta have also been accompanied by great luck – let’s recollect those red cards their opponents got at the start of the season.
Athletic are more ambitious team with a strong roster. Celta will miss their two key players. Fontàs is a significant loss, but Nolito’s injury is more important. He’s their top scorer and undisputed leader of the attack. Without him, the potential of Celta is significantly reduced. I guess, Athletic can benefit from their opponents’ roster problems and defeat them. Moreover, the club from Bilbao have played quite successfully at the stadium of Celta. Athletic suffered only one defeat in their last eight visits to Balaidos.