Honestly, if you only watch La Liga for the glitz of Madrid or the drama at Barca, you’re missing the real soul of Spanish football. There’s something grit-your-teeth gritty about Alaves vs Celta de Vigo. It isn't just another mid-table scrap; it’s a tactical chess match played by two clubs that refuse to accept their "small team" status.
They met back in November 2025 at Mendizorroza. It was cold. It was tense.
Most people looked at the 1-0 Celta win and thought, "Oh, just another penalty." But that’s where they’re wrong. That game was a masterclass in Claudio Giraldez’s positional play versus Luis Garcia Plaza’s (or more recently Eduardo Coudet's, depending on the week’s rumors) defensive structure. Iago Aspas, the man who basically is Celta Vigo, tucked that penalty away in the 55th minute, but the story was the 50 minutes of stalemate that came before it.
Alaves dominated the early ball. They looked comfortable. Then, slowly, Celta’s triangles started appearing all over the pitch.
Why the Alaves vs Celta de Vigo rivalry is actually a tactical nightmare
Celta Vigo has changed. They aren't the team that just waits for a moment of magic anymore. Under Giraldez, they play this high-speed passing game that’s tied for the best passing rate in the league. They move the ball like they're on a timer.
Alaves, on the other hand, have turned Mendizorroza into a fortress of frustration. Before that November loss, they were sitting in the top half of the table specifically because they conceded fewer goals than Barcelona. Think about that for a second.
The matchup usually boils down to one thing: can Alaves break their own "efficiency" curse? In that last game, they had 52% possession and more corners, yet they couldn't find the net. It’s a recurring theme. You've got guys like Carlos Vicente, who has been on fire with nine goals this season, but when Celta’s back three—led by a resurgent Marcos Alonso—locks in, the space disappears.
The Aspas Factor and the New Blood
It’s almost a joke at this point. Iago Aspas is 38, yet he’s still the one winning games. He won the penalty, he scored the penalty. But Celta isn't just a one-man show anymore. Keep an eye on Williot Swedberg and Bryan Zaragoza. They provide that chaotic energy that allows Aspas to roam.
On the Alaves side, the emergence of Toni Martinez has been huge. He’s been dealing with a nagging heel injury lately, but when he’s on, he’s a handful. He scores in bunches. If he’s fit for the return leg in March 2026, Celta’s defenders are going to have a much longer afternoon than they did in November.
Breaking down the March 2026 rematch
We’re heading toward the return leg at Balaídos on March 22, 2026. The stakes are shifting. As of mid-January, Celta is surprisingly sniffing around the European spots, sitting in 7th. Alaves? They’re hovering in 16th, just two points above the drop zone.
The vibe for Alaves vs Celta de Vigo has changed from a battle for 10th to a desperate fight for survival for one and a dream of Europe for the other.
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- Celta’s Clean Sheet Streak: They’ve logged four clean sheets in their last five games. Carl Starfelt has been a literal wall, averaging nearly nine clearances a game in some stretches.
- The Alaves Injury Crisis: Lucas Boyé and Toni Martinez have both been "touch and go." Without their primary strikers at 100%, Alaves looks toothless.
- The Midfield Battle: This is where it gets nerdy. Antonio Blanco for Alaves is the "destructor." He has to stop Celta’s Moriba and Beltran from dictates the tempo. If Blanco gets overwhelmed, the game is over by halftime.
It's sorta fascinating how these two teams mirror each other’s struggles from different years. Celta used to be the one flirting with relegation while Alaves sat pretty. Now the roles have flipped.
What to look for if you're betting or watching
Don't expect a 4-4 thriller. These games are usually decided by a single mistake or a set piece.
Honestly, the "Under 2.5 goals" market is usually the safest bet here, even if it’s the boring one. Celta has become incredibly disciplined at the back. They don't gamble as much as they used to. They wait for the opposition to get impatient.
If you're watching, watch the wings. Javi Galan (if he's involved) or Oscar Mingueza often act as the secondary playmakers for Celta. For Alaves, everything goes through Carlos Vicente. If he’s doubled up on, Alaves struggles to progress the ball into the final third.
Actionable insights for the next match:
If you’re tracking this matchup for the upcoming March clash, keep these three things in your notes:
- Check the 60th-minute substitutions: Both teams have been using all five subs lately. Giraldez likes to refresh his wing-backs early to keep the passing triangles sharp.
- The "First Goal" Rule: In the last four Alaves vs Celta de Vigo meetings, the team that scored first hasn't lost.
- Watch the booking count: These games get chippy. In November, four yellow cards were handed out in a game that didn't even have that many fouls. The tension is real.
To get ahead of the curve, monitor the fitness of Toni Martinez. If he’s back to full sprinting capacity, Alaves’ odds of snatching a draw at Balaídos skyrocket. Otherwise, expect Celta to control the rhythm and grind out another professional result.
Next Steps: You should check the official La Liga injury reports 48 hours before the March 22nd kickoff to see if Lucas Boye has cleared his latest fitness test, as his presence completely changes Alaves' vertical threat.