Celta and Valencia Clash at Balaídos: Both Desperate to Break Woeful Streaks
Celta aim to build on rare home success while Valencia seek first away win in eight months as both sides meet in a crucial La Liga encounter at Balaídos.
Two sides desperate to put their dismal home and away records behind them face off in Vigo as the calendar flips to 2026.
Fresh Start at Balaídos
Celta Vigo welcome Valencia to Balaídos today at 14:00 local time with both clubs looking to break their respective negative streaks. The Galicians are hitting the reset button at home in 2026 after managing just a solitary victory at their own ground this season - proper pants that record, innit? Valencia, meanwhile, haven’t won a single away match this campaign and are approaching a shocking eight months without an away league victory.
Team News
Claudio Giráldez’s Celta will be hoping to start the new year as they finished 2025 - with a much-needed home win that could propel them toward the European spots. The gaffer receives a double boost with:
- Borja Iglesias and Pablo Durán both returning with medical clearance
- However, Ristic and Carlos Domínguez remain sidelined through injury
- Cervi and Damián miss out through technical decision (dropped, in Adam and Eve)
Valencia’s Struggles
The visitors desperately need points to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Manager Corberán has been working with a three-centre-back formation and two strikers up top - the same approach that saw them compete well against Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano, though they ultimately left empty-handed.
Flu Complications
Valencia’s preparations have been hampered by a flu outbreak in the squad:
- Ugrinic, expected to start, is among those affected
- Hugo Duro and Pepelu have recovered and should feature in the starting XI
- The manager continues juggling his squad like a proper diamond geezer amid the health issues
Key Battle
All eyes will be on the midfield clash between Ilaix Moriba and Javi Guerra. Former Valencia man Moriba has become a regular starter under Giráldez, while Guerra - who hasn’t found his best form this season - gets his chance due to Ugrinic’s illness.