Celta vs Barcelona: opportunity to get closer to the LaLiga lead before the break

Celta de Vigo and FC Barcelona face each other this Sunday at the Estadio de Balaídos, with the Blaugrana aiming for their ninth victory in LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. Hansi Flick's team defeated Elche last week (3-1), but once again showed defensive doubts after drawing in Bruges, in the Champions League (3-3).

Celta, for their part, arrive at their best moment of the season, with five consecutive victories in all competitions, two of them in the League and as visitors, against Osasuna (2-3) and Levante (1-2). Claudio Giraldez's team only recently secured their first League victory in matchday 10, but they have reacted after the October break.

Barça, on the other hand, lost on their last two visits in the tournament (4-1 in Seville, 2-1 against Real Madrid), after almost eleven months undefeated away from home in the League. In Balaídos, **Flick's team drew in 24/25 (2-2)** and the record is even, with 4 wins for each side and 5 draws in 13 matches. The last Barça victory in Vigo was on February 18, 2024 (1-2), with a brace from Lewandowski

• 📺 Where and when to watch the match: the channels broadcasting Celta-Barcelona WATCH

Barça seeks to get closer to the LaLiga lead before the break

For now, Barça is second with 25 points, 5 less than leaders Real Madrid. A 'merengue' slip-up in Vallecas against Rayo (3:15 PM this Sunday) and a Barça victory against Celta would reduce the gap just before the third international break of the season, the last one of 2025

For now, Celta has 13 points and remains in 13th place, after several weeks flirting with relegation. The celestial team thrashed Dinamo Zagreb (0-3) in Croatia on Thursday and arrives with one less day of rest, but with the advantage of returning home after almost three weeks.

However, at Balaídos, Giráldez's team has not managed to win in the league. The team lost to Getafe (0-2) and drew against Betis, Villarreal, Girona, Atlético, and Real Sociedad. Before the defeats in Seville and Madrid, Barça defeated Mallorca, Levante, Rayo, and Oviedo as visitors. The Catalans, for now, maintain the best offense in the tournament (28 goals) and the second best in Europe

• ℹ️ Squad list: the players called up by Hansi Flick for Celta-Barcelona: SEE

Hansi Flick will keep his starting XI from recent matches

Celta de Vigo vs FC Barcelona: probable lineups and absences for the league match

For the 12th matchday of LaLiga, Hansi Flick welcomes back Andreas Christensen, but could lose Jules Koundé. The Frenchman suffered a knock against Bruges and did not complete Saturday's training, making it unlikely he will start in Vigo.

Szczesny will remain in goal, awaiting the return of Joan García after the break. Eric García would occupy the right-back position if Koundé does not recover, while the pairing of Araujo-Cubarsí would return to the center. On the left, there are no doubts about Balde's presence

There should also be no surprises in midfield. With Pedri González unavailable, Marc Casadó will once again accompany Frenkie de Jong in midfield, while Fermín López, who is coming off two assists in Bruges, should remain as an attacking midfielderAbove, Lamine Yamal will once again accompany Marcus Rashford and Ferran Torres. Dani Olmo and Lewandowski will wait for their opportunity on the bench, as will Roony Bardghji and Marc Bernal. Raphinha is still sidelined, and he is also expected back after the break. Gavi and Ter Stegen are long-term absentees

• 👉 Lineups: the probable starting XIs for Celta de Vigo and FC Barcelona: VIEW

Celta to seek surprise against Barça with defensive problems

In Celta's case, the good news for the Galicians was the return of goalkeeper Andrei Radu, who had been absent for the last two games due to injury. Giráldez will be able to count on all his starters, opting for a back three and several familiar faces to Barça.

Right-back Óscar Mingueza, Ilaix Moriba, and Ferran Jutglà will be starters on Sunday, as will Marcos Alonso. Last season, the Galicians scored 6 goals in 2 games against the Blaugrana team and will try to take advantage of Barça's defensive problems in recent weeks.

In the last 9 games, Flick's team has conceded 16 goals (1.77 per game) and has not managed to keep a clean sheet since September 22nd (3-0 against Getafe). Szczesny has conceded 15 goals in 8 games and last season he conceded a hat-trick from Borja Iglesias, on a matchday when the Catalans came back from 1-3 in the 63rd minute to win at Montjuïc (4-3).

• 📌 Follow the match live Celta de Vigo vs FC Barcelona on FC Barcelona Noticias and find out everything don't miss a thing!