Atletico Madrid vs Celta Vigo: Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

This Sunday, Atlético Madrid will host Celta Vigo in a La Liga match that holds significant implications for both sides. Atlético Madrid, currently positioned fourth in the league with 64 points from 33 games, are looking to secure their spot in next season's Champions League. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo, teetering just above the relegation zone in 17th place with 31 points, are fighting for survival in Spain's top flight. The match presents contrasting objectives for the two clubs, each under considerable pressure to achieve their respective goals as the season nears its conclusion.

• Both Teams To Score @ -135 With BetMGM
• Atlético Madrid To Score 3+ Goals +130 With BetMGM
• Atlético Madrid To Win Both Halves +220 With BetMGM

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 05/12/2024
• Kick-off time: 7:15 am Pacific Time
• Location: Estadio Cívitas Metropolitano

For Atlético Madrid, this season has been one of underachievement by their high standards. Having become accustomed to competing at the very top under the stewardship of Diego Simeone, a trophyless season marks a departure from their recent successes. Simeone, who is in his 13th year in charge, has previously guided the club to two league titles, reached two Champions League finals, and won two Europa League titles along with a Copa del Rey. This pedigree has established Atlético as one of Europe’s formidable sides.

Despite their historical success, Atlético have faced challenges this season, primarily due to an aging squad that desperately requires rejuvenation. Simeone has not been provided with the necessary resources in the transfer market to evolve the team, which has evidently impacted their performance. Yet, the team remains in a relatively strong position, holding a three-point advantage over fifth-placed Athletic Club, with a game in hand. Ensuring a top-four finish would salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign and provide a foundation to rebuild in the upcoming transfer window.

Celta Vigo’s season has been fraught with difficulty, with the club currently finding themselves just four points clear of the relegation zone. The dismissal of Rafael Benítez in March, following a series of underwhelming performances, led to Claudio Giráldez taking charge. Under his stewardship, the team's form has seen modest improvements, but their position remains perilous. Each match now becomes a crucial battle to secure points and avoid slipping further towards relegation.

Celta's struggle this season contrasts sharply with their historical performances in La Liga, where they have often been competitive mid-table contenders. The pressure of the relegation fight, combined with a need to adapt to a new managerial approach, has tested the squad’s resilience and ability to perform under stress. The forthcoming clash with Atlético represents a significant challenge, given their poor track record in recent encounters with the Madrid side.

Historically, Atlético Madrid have had the upper hand in clashes with Celta Vigo. They have won all of the last five meetings between the two sides, including a convincing 3-0 victory earlier this season. Notably, Atlético have not lost to Celta since September 2018, showcasing their tactical and competitive edge in this fixture.

This Sunday’s match between Atlético Madrid and Celta Vigo is pivotal for both clubs, albeit for different reasons. Atlético will aim to consolidate their position in the top four, thereby securing Champions League football for next season, which is crucial not only for financial reasons but also for attracting new talents to refresh the squad. Celta Vigo, fighting for their La Liga survival, face a daunting task at the Wanda Metropolitano but will be buoyed by the knowledge that every point can make a difference in their battle against relegation.

Atlético Madrid Team News

Gabriel Paulista, Memphis Depay, Thomas Lemar and Marcos Paulo are all expected to continue to miss out through injury.

Antoine Griezmann, however, will be available once again after serving a suspension and should come straight back into the starting lineup.

Celta Vigo Team News

Renato Tapia, Joseph Aidoo and Carlos Dotor are Celta's main injury worries heading into this one. The three have been missing for a number of weeks now and are all expected to remain on the sidelines for this one.

Atlético Madrid are currently amidst a mixed run of form having won three and lost two of their last five games. Last week, Diego Simeone's men entered the weekend facing a crucial clash in their quest for a top four finish against Athletic Club, the side narrowly behind them in 5th. The pressure was palpable heading into the game with Atlético knowing a defeat would result in a hugely nervy end to the season, but Atlético delivered a very commendable performance in a 3-1 win where goals from Rodrigo De Paul, Ángel Correa and an own goal from Unai Simon sealed the three points. After some disappointing recent results, that win should give the side from the Spanish capital the confidence they need to close out the season.

Prior to that win over Athletic Club, Atlético fell to a disappointing 2-0 loss away at Deportivo Alavés, a result that compounded the misery the team were already feeling following the 4-2 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund in midweek, which ultimately dumped them out of the Champions League.

Defeat in Dortmund followed a 3-1 win over 3rd placed Girona in Madrid, where a brace from Antoine Griezmann and a goal from Ángel Correa gave them a mightily impressive win on home soil. Before that, Rodrigo De Paul and Samuel Lino were enough to give Atlético a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund.

Celta Vigo's form has also been fairly mixed in recent weeks as they enter this one off the back of two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five games. Their latest outing was a dramatic 3-2 win over Villarreal, where a late goal from Anastasios Douvakis gave them the win against a Villarreal side that had been playing with ten men from the 17th minute onwards. Celta's other two goals came from Iago Aspas and Jørgen Strand Larsen.

This followed a fairly miserable one where Celta were spanked 3-0 by Alavés away from home, a result they'll soon want to forget.

Prior to defeat in the Basque Country, Celta claimed a huge three points in a convincing 4-1 win over Las Palmas thanks to an Iago Aspas brace in addition to goals from Williot Swedberg and Anastasios Douvikas. That result followed a 2-1 defeat in Seville at the hands of Real Betis, which came after a 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano and a 2-1 win over Sevilla, which came courtesy of goals from Carles Pérez and Jørgen Strand Larsen.

Sides like Celta are always dangerous at this stage of the season when survival is on the line, but given Atlético still have plenty to play for themselves we don't expect any complacency here. Deigo Simeone's men have lost only once in La Liga on home soil since January 2023 and have won seven of their last eight home games, so it's hard to see them dropping any points in this one. Atlético Madrid 3-1 Celta Vigo.

Atletico Madrid versus Celta Vigo can be viewed on ESPN+ in the U.S