Vigo/Valencia, May 13 (EFE).- Celta and Valencia star in a dramatic duel this Sunday in Balaídos, with the Galicians forced to react after winning only one of their last seven games and the Valencianists with no margin for error in the fight to avoid the descent.
The clash is a final for both teams. In Vigo there is fear of relegation, despite the fact that Carlos Carvalhal’s team has 39 points and there are only fifteen left at stake. Celta has entered into a worrying game dynamic, which has coincided with a drop in the performance of Iago Aspas.
The Spanish international also turned on the alarm lights at the Afouteza sports city on Thursday, when he withdrew early from training due to knee discomfort. The importance of the duel, however, will make him play the clash.
Those who will not be on the pitch at Balaídos are the center-back Joseph Aidoo and the left-back Javi Galán, two of Carvalhal’s indisputables. Both will serve a penalty. Their positions will be occupied, in principle, by Renato Tapia and Franco Cervi, respectively.
The Peruvian international returns to the team after not being able to travel to Getafe for a personal reason, while the Argentine is chosen by the sky-blue coach ahead of the Medrano subsidiary side.
For its part, Valencia faces this duel much more overwhelmed in the fight for salvation, even though it is out of the relegation places. The 34 points that make it fourth from bottom are the same as Getafe’s, which is third from last, and are only three more than those of Espanyol, which is penultimate.
Rubén Baraja’s team faces this match after having been able to salvage a point from their regional duel with Villarreal last day. The passing of days has ‘increased’ the value of that tie but also the feeling that the team has acquired enough maturity to understand its limits in this complicated fight.
The big doubt throughout the week regarding the coach’s plans has been and is at the point of attack. With Edinson Cavani suspended (as was full-back Thierry Rendall) and Marcos André injured, the only striker left in the first team is Hugo Duro, who has not trained with the group until this Saturday due to discomfort and, although called up, it will be a doubt until the last minute.
If the man from Madrid is in good condition, he starts with options to be the starting ‘nine’. If he is not, the options are to reconvert Samuel Lino or Justin Kluivert, who will reappear after several weeks injured, or to bring on the young Alberto Marí. His presence would reinforce the weight of the homegrown players in the last days.
Although the Valencia squad has conspired to avoid cabals, the day could be especially propitious for the rivals of the rest of the team immersed in this fight. For now, they will face their clash with the peace of mind that Cádiz (35 points) have lost this day; He will also do so knowing the result of Getafe, who visits Madrid this Saturday.
In addition, Espanyol receives a Barça on Sunday that can be proclaimed champion of the League. Valladolid, who also has 35 points, has a difficult visit from Sevilla.
– Probable lineups
Celtic: Iván Villar; Hugo Mallo, Tapia, Unai Núñez, Cervi; Carles Pérez, Beltrán, Gabri Veiga, Luca de la Torre; Quotes, Seferovic.
Valencia: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Diakhaby, Cenk, Gayà; Javi Guerra, Nico, Almeida; Lino, Kluivert or Castillejo and Duro or Marí.
Referee: Soto Grado (Castilla y León committee).
Stadium: Ballads.
Time: 14:00 CET (12:00 GMT)