🔈 Will Celta's lack of optimal physical condition impact the final outcome of the match? In the second round of La Liga, the "Iberostar" will host an intriguing clash between the "Vermilions" and the "Celts." Both teams suffered defeats in their opening matches of the season, adding even more intrigue to their upcoming head-to-head. Bookmakers predict a closely contested game, offering the following odds: a Mallorca win at 3, and a Celta victory at 2.55.

Head-to-Head

📊 It's intriguing that neither team holds a significant edge in their head-to-head encounters. Over the last 25 matches, the record stands at 10 wins for Mallorca, 5 draws, and 10 victories for Celta. Notably, last season, the "Celestes" came out on top in both meetings: a 2-0 win at Balaídos and a 2-1 victory at Iberostar.

Mallorca Team Overview

🔴 In the opening match of the Spanish championship, Mallorca were left helpless. A heavy 3-0 defeat to Barcelona vividly highlighted the pressing issues facing the team from the island city. Firstly, Jagoba Arrasate's squad still struggles with building out from the back under pressure. Moreover, the "Cinnabar Reds" lacked the defensive compactness that could have made it more difficult for the reigning champions to find a path to Leo Roman's goal.

⚫ Jagoba Arrasate is also intriguing for how he employs his full-backs in his setup. For instance, Joan Mojica, operating on the left flank, occasionally ventures forward in attack, leaving space behind him. Conversely, Mateu Morey's actions are quite different—he helps create an advantage on the right side, enabling quick transitions from defense to attack. It will be interesting to see what build-up strategy the Spanish specialist chooses for the upcoming match and whether we will witness bold football from the "Islanders."

Celta de Vigo Team Overview

🔵 Few anticipated such a poor performance from Celta in the opening round of the league. The "Celts" were justifiably defeated at home by Getafe (0-2), failing to turn their positional dominance into clear-cut opportunities. The half-spaces, usually vibrant in Celta's build-up play, proved ineffective against Getafe's well-organized defense. Whether Claudio Giráldez managed to address these shortcomings will be revealed soon.

⚪ The marquee signings of the transfer window, Ferran Jutglà and Bryan Zaragoza, failed to impress at the Balaídos. A lack of chemistry and seemingly suboptimal physical condition were reasons why Celta's newcomers couldn't delight the home fans last weekend. Whether they can redeem themselves in the upcoming clash at the Iberostar will be seen shortly.

Latest news

Mallorca

📰 Recently, the Islanders have been active in the transfer market, making both an incoming and outgoing deal. Firstly, Slovakian goalkeeper Dominik Greif has left the club from the eponymous city, moving to French side Lyon. The 28-year-old keeper was a key player last season, and his departure is unlikely to strengthen Mallorca. However, there is some optimism surrounding the loan agreement with Marash Kumbulla. The center-back, owned by Roma, is expected to bolster Jagoba Arrasate's defensive line. 

❌ In the opening match of the season, Manu Morlanes and Vedat Muriqi were sent off. As a result, they will be unavailable for the upcoming fixture against Celta. Samu Costa and Pichu Cuéllar are also doubtful for the game as they continue to experience some fitness issues.

Celta de Vigo

🎤 One of the major headlines in recent days is Carlos Dominguez extending his contract with Celta. The Spanish defender expressed his joy at continuing to represent his childhood club: "It's a lifelong dream come true. I love this club with all my heart and am thrilled to defend its honor on the international stage this season. The last time we were in Europe, I was a ball boy at Balaídos, so all of this still feels like a dream."

❌ Celta's injury list still includes Joseph Aidoo, Franco Cervi, and Carl Starfelt. While Claudio Giraldez doesn't particularly count on the first two, the loss of the Swedish center-back could disrupt the coach's plans over the course of the season.

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

🟨 Yellow Card Prediction

We don't anticipate a high number of fouls and bookings in the upcoming match. In 4 out of the last 5 head-to-head encounters, there were no more than 4 yellow cards. On average, the "Celts" receive just 1.7 yellow cards per game. Both managers do not emphasize physical play in their tactics, so our pick is total yellow cards under 4.5.

⚽ Goal Prediction

The average goal tally in matches between Mallorca and Celta is 2.5 goals per game. However, in 5 of the last 6 meetings, there were no more than 2 goals scored. Let's also consider each team's average scoring rate from last season: the "Islanders" at 0.9 and the "Sky Blues" at 1.5. Therefore, a reasonable bet for this match is total goals under 2.5.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Mallorca typically falls short in the corner kicks department against their opponents, averaging 3.7 compared to 6.3 last season. This is due to their focus on playing defensively and on the counter. The "Celts," on the other hand, have different stats and tendencies: 4.1 compared to 4.2. Our analysis suggests that the visitors will have a positional advantage and earn a few more corners. We'll go with Celta to win the corner count with a (0) handicap.

The football Celta played last weekend was far from impressive. On the other hand, judging Mallorca's performance against the reigning champions while playing with nine men for most of the match would be unfair. The home advantage also favors the "Islanders"—they have lost to Vigo only once in their last eight encounters at home. Considering these factors, a final score of 1-0 seems a reasonable expectation. The editorial's key choice is Mallorca will not lose.