Elche CF vs Celta Vigo: Preview and lineup considerations for La Liga penultimate round

Elche CF and Celta Vigo face off this Sunday at 19:30 in La Liga Santander’s penultimate round. After earning their survival in the Premier League era and doing their homework in the previous match, both teams aim to put on an entertaining show without the pressure of qualification and hope for a result that leaves a positive taste at season’s end.

What they bring to the pitch is a clash that will give important minutes to players who didn’t feature much during the campaign and an opportunity to prove they can contribute to next season’s project.

Francisco must cope with Verdú’s injury absences, with Pere Milla and Pedro Bigas also sidelined. The latter picked up his fifth yellow card against Atlético Madrid last Wednesday and should miss one game.

Meanwhile, the forward line could lean on Ezequiel Ponce, who has recovered fitness after losing his spot against the Colchoneros due to travel issues the day before Cadiz.

Johan Mojica and Fidel Chaves did not train with the group in the latest sessions due to muscle discomfort. Both players face strict sanctions risk with four yellow cards like Marcone, so the coach is likely to rest them to be ready for the final home game against Getafe.

Almería’s coach indicated last Friday that he would field a competitive side but also emphasized giving minutes to less regular players who have performed well over the season.

In this sense, goalkeeper Kiko Box, who played only two Cup games with Francisco, has a solid chance to start in the last two rounds, as Edgar Badía has already met the 50% threshold of games to extend his contract for another year.

Defensively, Barragán could earn a spot right behind him. Diego González and Pedro Bigas, who has been on the bench in recent matches against Cádiz and Atlético de Madrid, will replace the suspended Pedro Bigas in the central axis alongside Enzo Rozo. On the left, Olaza is set to start for the second time since January. The Uruguayan first played in San Mamés against Athletic Club and was summoned again in Cádiz due to Mojica’s injury, though a Covid-19 test prevented travel. He will appear for the first time in Vigo this afternoon.

Lucas Olaza returns to Balaídos, a stage he knows well because, like Lucas Boyé, he wore the Celta jersey in the latter part of the 2018-2019 season. The left-back is on loan from Valladolid, with Elche holding an option to buy at season’s end. Today and on the final day, a strong performance could swing the decision in their favor.

Midfield remains a question mark. Josan may move to the right wing with Fidel absent, another player who has had limited minutes this campaign. A double pivot options include Omar Mascarell and Gumbau, who started against Atlético, with Raul Guti, Kike Pérez, and Marcone also in the mix. Another player seeking minutes is a forward who has featured sparingly this campaign and is eager for a run of games.

Up front, Pere Milla’s absence creates space for Boyé, Carrillo, and Ponce. Shepherd, who already has minutes against the Colchoneros, is ready to start, either in the midfield or on the left wing.

For Celta, coach Coudet must cope with the losses of Hugo Mallo, Nolito, and Cervi, along with the potential absence of Kevin Vázquez.

Elche CF and Celta Vigo face off this Sunday at 19:30 in La Liga Santander’s penultimate round. After guiding them to safety and preparing thoroughly in the previous match, both teams aim to deliver a strong performance without pressure to qualify and secure a result that leaves a positive impression at season’s end.

What they carry into the game is a contest that gives minutes to players who did not enjoy regular roles this season and a chance to show they can contribute to the project next term.

Francisco has Verdú’s injuries to contend with, along with Pere Milla and Pedro Bigas. The latter was shown a fifth yellow card against Atlético Madrid last Wednesday and could be suspended for one match.

Conversely, the Argentines forward Ezequiel Ponce is back after missing his stake against the Colchoneros due to travel issues the previous day at Cadiz.

Johan Mojica and Fidel Chaves did not train with the group in the latest sessions due to muscle discomfort. Both players risk sanctions with four cards like Marcone, so the coach will likely rest them to be ready for the home finale against Getafe.

Almería’s boss announced last Friday a plan to field a competitive side but also stated the aim to give minutes to less regular players who have performed well throughout the season.

In this sense, goalkeeper Kiko Box, who played only two Cup games with Francisco, has a good chance to start in the last two rounds, because Edgar Badía has already met the requirement to play 50% of the season’s games, which allows him to automatically extend his contract for another year.

In defense, Barragán could earn a chance just behind him. Diego González and Pedro Bigas, who were benched in recent matches against Cádiz and Atlético de Madrid, will replace the suspended Pedro Bigas in the central axis and form the defensive duo with Enzo Rozo. On the left, Olaza is set to start again for the second time since jumping back into the squad in January. The Uruguayan previously played in San Mames against Athletic Club and was recalled to Cádiz due to Mojica’s injury. A few days before the match, he tested positive for Covid and could not travel; he will play for the first time in Vigo this afternoon.

Lucas Olaza returns to Balaídos, a ground he knows intimately because, like Lucas Boyé, he wore the Celta jersey in the latter part of the 2018-2019 season. The left-back is on loan from Valladolid, with Elche holding an option to buy at season’s end. Today and on the final day, a strong showing could swing the decision in their favor.

At midfield, uncertainty remains. Josan might enter the right wing and, in Fidel’s absence, another who has seen little action this campaign may switch to the left. A squad of players is vying for a double pivot: Omar Mascarell and Gumbau have started against Atlético, with Raul Guti, Kike Perez, and Marcone also in contention. Another midfielder seeking more minutes is hungry for action.

In attack, Pere Milla’s absence opens the door for Boyé, Carrillo, and Ponce. Shepherd, who has logged minutes versus the Colchoneros, is ready to start and could feature in midfield or on the left flank.

For Celta, Coudet is left counting the losses of Hugo Mallo, Nolito, and Cervi, and he is monitoring a potential return from Kevin Vázquez.