Having already confirmed a UEFA Champions League place for next season, Barcelona look to finish the season strongly as they take on Celta Vigo in Tuesday La Liga action.
With only three matches remaining, Barcelona sit second in the Spanish league table, four points above third-place Sevilla and 11 points clear of fifth-place Real Betis, meaning a top-four Champions League spot is secure. Still, Barcelona fans will feel far better about the season with a second-place finish than a fourth-place one, especially considering how 2021/22 began. So, the stretch run is important for the Blaugrana.
The Catalan club is beset by injuries and suspensions, with a number of midfielders unavailable for this match. That could leave the door open for Celta Vigo, who have the chance to build a three-match unbeaten run against Barcelona.
These teams played to a thrilling 3-3 draw in this season’s reverse fixture back in September, with Celta Vigo erasing a 3-0 deficit, scoring the equalizer in the 96th minute. Celta also won against Barcelona last time at Camp Nou, a 2-1 victory that saw an 89th-minute winner.
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Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Barcelona | – | – | – |
| Celta Vigo | – | – | – |
Goals:
None
Commentary:
7 mins to kick: The teams are out for a final warmup, and the match is close to getting under way! Barcelona has little to play for, and Celta Vigo is out of the running for a European place, but these teams still have a history of putting on a show.
Warmup time!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥#BarçaCelta pic.twitter.com/7h0aY251Ba
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2022
77 mins to kick: Lineups are in. Memphis Depay gets the start in a very attacking Barcelona lineup, while Celta Vigo makes no changes from the win last time out, leaving last week substitute heroes on the bench again.
Full lineups below.
107 mins to kick: A cool look inside the Barcelona dressing room ahead of the match!
Home? ✅
Blaugrana? ✅
Fired up? ✅#BarçaCelta pic.twitter.com/CcaUfjBc2F— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) May 10, 2022
120 mins to kick (7:30 p.m. local): With Barcelona’s season essentially wrapped up, and a Champions League place secure, the squad has decided to enjoy training a little bit, with a fun knockout game!
This looks fun 😂
Ahead of their game against Celta Vigo, Barcelona came up with an unique way of preparing for the game 😮 pic.twitter.com/MceJl7u26Z
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 10, 2022
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo lineups
The hosts have significant issues in midfield to deal with. Pedri, Sergi Roberto, and Nico Gonzalez are all out injured, and the ageless Sergio Busquets is suspended for yellow card accumulation. While fan-favorite Riqui Puig was an option in midfield, instead Memphis Depay drops into midfield in a very attacking lineup.
Along the back line there are problems as well. Gerard Pique remains sidelined with a muscle injury, as does American Sergino Dest, while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen returns after missing out over the weekend with an illness.
Young Ansu Fati scored a critical goal off the bench against Real Betis last weekend, having returned from his lengthy injury absence to make two substitute appearances, and but he’s not yet ready for a starting role.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ter Stegen (GK) — Alves, R. Araujo, Garcia, Alba — Gavi, De Jong — Dembele, Depay, Torres — Aubameyang.
Barcelona subs (11): Neto (GK), Tenas (GK), Mingueza, Umtiti, Alvaro Sanz, Arnau Tenas, Jandro, Fati, Traore, Braithwaite, L. de Jong.
Celta Vigo is one of the healthiest teams in La Liga, with defender Hugo Mallo the only player on the sidelines with a patella fracture. Otherwise, the team is fully fit.
The biggest decision for manager Edouard Coudet was possibly upsetting the regular starting lineup for the likes of Renato Tapia or Nolito, who both made a significant impact off the bench in the 4-0 romp of Alaves last time out. The quick turnaround could be a factor, but upsetting the natural order comes with risks, and he has decided to make no changes.
Nolito, in fact, does not make the matchday squad at all, while Tapia is again on the bench.
Celta Vigo starting lineup (4-1-3-2): Dituro (GK) — Vazquez, N. Araujo, Aidoo, Galan — Beltran — Mendez, Suarez, Cervi — Aspas, Galhardo.
Celta Vigo subs (8): Blanco (GK), Carrillo, Tapia, Pineda, Fontan, Solari, Murilo, Veiga.
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How to watch Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | Tues, May 10 | Tues, May 10 | Tues, May 10 | Wed, May 11 |
| Time | 20:30 BST | 15:30 ET | 15:30 ET | 05:30 AEST |
| TV channel | La Liga TV | — | TSN1 | beIN Sports 2 |
| Streaming | Amazon Prime | ESPN+ | TSN Direct | beIN Connect |
UK: The Barcelona-Celta match will be broadcast on La Liga TV, which is available to stream on Amazon Prime UK.
USA: The Tuesday match is available in the United States exclusively on the streaming service ESPN+, which carries all La Liga action.
Canada: In Canada the broadcast is available via TSN via TV and streaming platforms.
Australia: Fans in Australia can watch the match on beIN Sports.
Barcelona vs. Celta Vigo betting lines, picks & prediction
Odds via DraftKings (USA) & Sports Interaction (Canada)
Every club has a bogey team. Celta Vigo is just that for Barcelona.
Currently sitting 11th in the La Liga table, Celta Vigo has achieved a result in five of the last eight league matches against Barcelona. Often, they leave it late. In the last seven league games between these two clubs in which Celta Vigo found the back of the net, the underdogs were the last team to score in six of them, including the last two in which dramatic late strikes earned Celta Vigo points.
Late goals have also punctuated the Barcelona season of late, with three of their last five league matches seeing late strikes in the final 10 minutes plus stoppage time. As Barcelona grapple with injury, this is set up for another thriller, and Celta Vigo can come away with points.
Pick: Last team to score — Celta Vigo (+245 on DraftKings)
Prediction: Barcelona 2-2 Celta Vigo
| DraftKings | Sports Interaction |
|
|---|---|---|
| Barcelona Win | -260 | -257 |
| Draw | +425 | +401 |
| Celta Vigo Win | +650 | +560 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
-135 / +110 | -154 / -102 |
| Over / Under 3.5 goals |
+130 / -150 | +123 / -156 |
| Barcelona -1.5 | +110 | +103 |
| Celta Vigo +1.5 | -125 | -130 |