Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Hosts can take another step towards safety

Celta Vigo welcome Athletic Bilbao to Balaidos in La Liga on Wednesday night (Premier Sports Player, 21:00) looking to strengthen their safety position. They are currently five points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final three matches of the season.

They will be looking to respond to their 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid last time out, while Bilbao have experienced three draws in their last five matches. Below I have laid out my Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao predictions, accompanied by match odds and team news.

Celta Vigo vs Athletic Bilbao Odds

Celta Vigo are 8/5 to win this contest, giving them an implied probability of 38.5%. Athletic Bilbao are valued at 7/4, which gives them a 36.4%. The draw can be backed at 23/10 (30.3%).

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in 54% (19/35) of Celta Vigo's clashes this season. It has also landed in 40% (14/35) of Athletic Club's fixtures this campaign. BTTS is on offer at 4/6, while over 2.5 goals is 10/11.

Athletic Club's Inaki Williams has scored 12 goals in La Liga this term and he is 23/10 to score anytime on Wednesday, and 13/2 to open the scoring. Celta Vigo's Jorgen Strand Larsen has the same amount and is marketed at 8/5 to score anytime and 9/2 to score first.

Team News

The hosts are likely going to miss Mihailo Ristic due to injury, with the player having missed the defeat to Atletico Madrid last time out. Joseph Aidoo is definitely ruled out, but Williot Swedburg and Carles Perez could make the squad after recently returning to training.

Athletic Club are missing their top scorer Gorka Guruzeta, who recently had appendix surgery, and he is unlikely to feature again this season. Duo Oihan Sancet and Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta are unlikely to be involved in Wednesday's meeting despite having made progress in their own recoveries from injury.

Defender Yuri Berchiche will be unavailable as he serves a one-match suspension after picking up a milestone fifth yellow card of the campaign. Meanwhile, Yeray Alvarez and Aitor Paredes are back from their own respective bans.

Draw @ 23/10

With Celta Vigo having been unbeaten in their last four clashes on home soil, including three wins, as well as Athletic Bilbao's recent trend of draws, I can see a stalemate here on Wednesday evening.

A point would be beneficial to both clubs as the hosts are already five points clear of Cadiz in 18th and Athletic Club are seven points ahead of Real Betis in sixth. A draw could help them both strengthen their positions, as long as other results were to go their way too, but given the recent form of both sides, I can see them cancelling each other out.

Celta Vigo have been involved in 10 draws already this term and Athletic Club have played in 11. Both teams have had a habit of picking up draws this year and I believe this will continue in midweek.

The hosts have been impressive on home soil of late while the visitors have managed just two wins from their last eight on the road. I still think Bilbao will have the quality once again to help them get another point on the board as over the course of the season, Celta's league position doesn't lie.

Over 3.5 goals @ 9/4

I may be backing a stalemate but I don't think it will be short of goals. As mentioned earlier, two key players on either side in Larsen and Williams have provided the goods throughout the season with 12 goals apiece - and that will be an interesting contest to follow inside the match on Wednesday.

Over 3.5 goals has landed in Celta's last two home matches against Villarreal and Las Palmas, and it has also been a winning bet in two of Athletic Club's last three outings. There is going to be a a lot of talent on display here, which should make for an interesting battle.

Another player to watch for the hosts will be veteran forward Iago Aspas, having scored two goals in his last two matches at Balaidos. With three prolific goalscorers likely to be on the field for this one, I don't think goals will be in short supply.

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