Barcelona vs Celta Vigo betting preview - A familiar thorn in Barca’s side?

It’s the final week of action in LaLiga ahead of the winter break will hope to end it with the three-point cushion they hold at the top at the very least. With Real Madrid out of action due to the World Club Championship it’s an opportunity for the blaugrana to get some more breathing space, though both Atletico and Sevilla will be aiming to keep the pressure on.

Their visitors Celta Vigo will have other ideas though, currently in the midst of a pack of 11 teams separated by just seven points in the table from fifth to 16th. Miguel Cardoso’s side have picked up seven points from the last nine available too, and have previous against the holders.

In fact, Barcelona have won just three of the previous eight meetings between the teams in all competitions, so the odds on a home win - while certainly the most likely outcome - are far too low to consider worthwhile. Having avoided defeat in over half of their encounters with Barca in that timeframe the double chance price is extremely high in Celta’s favour, but with Lionel Messi back fit and in ridiculous form once more, there is a reason for that.

The Argentine is, as you would expect, an extremely low price to score at any time on Saturday evening, having taken his league tally to 14 with a hat-trick last time out. He and strike partner Luis Suarez are two of just four players to have reached double figures in LaLiga this season, with Celta forward Iago Aspas a significant other.

The former Liverpool man has been in excellent form for so long that it can no longer be considered as much. Form is temporary after all, and while he may have endured a torrid time in the Premier League, Aspas has been a class act in Spain for years.

That’s something that Barcelona fans and players alike would attest to, with the 31-year-old boasting an impressive record in this fixture since returning to Vigo in 2015. Indeed, with five goals in five league appearances up against the Catalans in that time, he is our top tip in the anytime scorer market.

A huge price of 4.35 with Unibet is over double what most bookies are offering on as many as six different Barcelona players to find the net and one we feel is too good to resist.

Click for the full Barcelona vs Celta Vigo match preview with team news and probable lineups