Valledos Stadium duel: Celta is eager to meet strong teams, Betis competes for successive victory with stable state

Written Rises: Xiaobai Replayer

At 3 a.m. on August 28, the third round of La Liga will usher in a noticeable showdown, and Celta will face Real Betis at home at Valledos Stadium. The two teams have their own styles and their performances in the new season are also different. This game is undoubtedly full of suspense.

Celta performed poorly in the beginning of the new season. In the first round of home games, they unexpectedly lost to the newly promoted Levante with a score of 0-2. They challenged Mallorca away from home in the second round. Although they achieved a draw of 1-1, they currently have a score of 1 draw and 1 loss and only earned 1 point, making them temporarily ranked third from the bottom of the standings and are deeply on the brink of the relegation zone. They need a win to reverse the unfavorable situation and enhance the morale of the team.

In contrast, Real Betis is in a relatively stable state in the new season. In the first round of home games, they defeated Alaves 2-1 with a winning victory and challenged Athletic Bilbao away in the second round. The two sides played 0-0 with each other, and the record of 1 win, 1 draw and 4 points made them in the middle of the league. The team's offense and defense performance is relatively balanced and shows strong competitiveness.

Recalling past confrontation records, Celta has the upper hand in his last 6 encounters with Betis, achieving an outstanding record of 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, scoring 13 goals and conceding 10 goals during the period, and 5 big goals. The most recent encounter was in February 2025, when Celta reversed the victory over Real Betis 3-2 at home. This victory greatly enhanced the self-confidence of Celta players and made them more psychologically calm when facing Betis.

From the perspective of lineup and tactics, Celta's main central defender Starfelt continued to miss due to knee injury and back midfielder Moriba continued to miss the air defense capabilities of substitute central defenders Ugo Alvarez and Mingeza. Their success rate for the top-square last season was only 62%. However, forward core Borja Iglesias, who transferred from Betis on August 12, will face his old owner this time. He has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist against Betis in the last three matches, with a significant psychological advantage. Coach Hilardes continued to use the 4-2-3-1 system, relying on the vertical impact of wingers Rodriguez (5 goals and 7 assists last season) and Duran (3.1 breakthroughs per game) to try to launch a lightning counterattack when Betis's fullback was inserted, but the team's high-pressing success rate on the team's defense line was only 38%, which was easily broken by the opponent's long pass.

Betis, the main right gate, Ector Bellerin, is suspected of playing due to Achilles tendon inflammation. If 20-year-old Angel Ortis is ordered to take the lead in the crisis, his weakness of insufficient recovery speed (sprint speed 31.2km/h) may become a breakthrough target for Celta winger Xavi Rodriguez. The new forward nuclear Lo Celso is in a hot state, with a win-win victory in Alaves in the first round. He has participated in 100% of the team's goals (1 goal, 1 assist). The 4-3-3 system of 71-year-old Chilean coach Pellegrini emphasizes midfield control, and the pass success rate of Fernals + Roca by the double midfield combination is as high as 89%, which can effectively cut Celta's frontcourt connection. However, new forward Cucho Hernandez (25 goals and 14 assists in the US League) has not yet fully integrated into the team system, and the task of counterattack remains mainly on Lo Celso.

Combining all factors, Celta has a home advantage and historical confrontation has the upper hand. Iglesias will definitely do his best to face the old owner. But the hidden dangers in the team's defense line may be seized by Real Betis. Real Betis is stronger overall, has more mature tactical execution, and Lo Celso is in excellent form. However, away games and the integration of Cucho Hernandez also added variables to the game. This game is very likely to be a goal battle, and both sides have the opportunity to score. Predicted scores 1-1, Celta scored a point at home with tenacious defense and Iglesias' performance, while Real Betis relied on Lo Celso and the control of the midfield to avoid losing.