Celta lose their forwards before Juventus visit Balaídos
Juventus are Celta Vigo’s visitors at Abanca-Balaídos on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the second round of the Europa League league phase. Both clubs need a reaction of sorts: Celta lost 1-0 at Omonia on matchday one, while Juventus thrashed NEC 5-0 but have won only one of their last three Serie A games. Kick-off is at 21:00, with Dutch referee Sander van der Eijk in charge.
“No le tenemos miedo a nadie.” – Celta Vigo manager Claudio Giráldez
Predicted lineups: Celta vs Juventus
Celta’s attack has been hit hard this week. Pablo Durán, their top league scorer with two goals, picked up a calf problem at Elche, and Borja Iglesias has a soleus injury from training. Miguel Román, Carl Starfelt and Ilyas El-Abdellaoui are also out, and three B-team players have been called up. Iago Aspas, back on the bench at Elche after a muscle tear, is the most likely replacement for Durán. Juventus are without captain Manuel Locatelli, Kenan Yildiz, Khéphren Thuram, Jérémie Boga and Edoardo Ekhator, but Lloyd Kelly returns after serving a UEFA ban. With Lazio to come at the weekend, Luciano Spalletti is expected to rotate.
Celta Vigo Team News & Preview
Celta are ninth in LaLiga with eight points from eight games. Their defence has been the strength, with only six goals conceded, but they have scored just eight. After the 5-0 win over Racing, they lost 1-0 at Omonia in this competition and drew 0-0 at Elche on Sunday, a performance Giráldez openly criticised: “El nivel del día de hoy no me llega, es una realidad.”
Losing Durán and Iglesias in the same week leaves Celta with very little proven goal threat. Aspas is 37 and returning from injury, and Jutglà has one league goal. Celta have also played eight games in 29 days, with Alavés to come on Sunday.
What works for or against Celta
- Only six goals conceded in eight LaLiga games.
- Durán and Iglesias both injured this week.
- Failed to score at Omonia and at Elche.
- Eight games in 29 days.
Juventus Team News & Preview
Juventus are sixth in Serie A with 11 points and nine goals scored in six games. They lost 3-2 at Sassuolo, beat Atalanta 2-0 and drew 1-1 at Cagliari on Sunday, where Randal Kolo Muani scored and hit the woodwork. Spalletti was sent off after a touchline row at full time, but that ban applies only in Serie A.
The bigger problem for Juventus is creativity. Without Yildiz, Locatelli and Thuram, much depends on McKennie and Kolo Muani, and the defence has been reliable with five goals conceded in six league games.
What works for or against Juventus
- Only five goals conceded in six Serie A games.
- Beat NEC 5-0 on matchday one.
- Locatelli, Yildiz and Thuram all missing.
- Lazio at the weekend, so rotation is likely.
Celta vs Juventus Odds
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Celta Vigo vs. Juventus Stats Comparison
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Celta Vigo vs. Juventus Form Guide
Celta Vigo Form, Stats & Data
Celta score and concede fewer goals than almost anyone in LaLiga. They are compact and organised in a back three, but without Durán and Iglesias the goals have to come from Jutglà, Álvarez and a 37-year-old Aspas.
Juventus Form, Stats & Data
Juventus have been solid rather than spectacular in Serie A, with 1.5 goals scored and 0.83 conceded per game. The injuries to Yildiz and Locatelli take away much of their control and creativity in midfield.
Celta vs Juventus: Prediction & Betting Tip
This looks like a tight, low-scoring game. Celta have lost their two main strikers this week and failed to score in two of their last three matches, while Juventus are missing their most creative players and have a big league game on Sunday. Both teams have strong defensive records, and I struggle to see both sides finding the net.
My main concern is Juventus‘ quality in attack, even without Yildiz. Kolo Muani is in good form, and if Juventus score first, Celta will have to open up, which could lead to a late goal at the other end. Still, Celta’s lack of fit forwards makes me happy to back at least one blank.
Both Teams to Score – No at 1.81 with Winz is the bet. Correct score: 0-1.