Celta Vigo vs Lille: Europa League Clash

Celta Vigo vs Lille: Europa League Clash

The stage is set for an exciting encounter as Celta Vigo prepares to host Lille in a crucial Europa League match at the Estadio de Balaídos. Both teams are in search of a morale-boosting victory, with Celta Vigo enjoying a perfect start to 2026 and Lille struggling to find their form.

Match Preview

Celta Vigo and Lille will face each other for the first time in competitive football, although they did meet in a friendly match in July 2024, which Lille won 3-1. The Spanish side has made a perfect start to the year, winning three La Liga matches out of three against Valencia, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one. This impressive run has extended their unbeaten streak in the Spanish top flight to six games and moved them up to seventh in the table.

Celta Vigo's Form

In the Europa League, Celta Vigo is in a tight spot, sitting 19th in the 36-team standings, just one place above their opponents Lille. With only two games remaining, securing an automatic spot in the last 16 seems challenging, but Giraldez's side remains hopeful of qualifying for the knockout round playoff. A win against Lille would be crucial to avoid slipping out of the top 24 heading into their final match against Red Star Belgrade.

Lille's Struggles

In stark contrast, Lille has suffered defeat in each of their opening three games of 2026, including a 2-1 home loss to Lyon in the last 32 of the Coupe de France and Ligue 1 defeats against Rennes and Paris Saint-Germain. The French side is in need of a victory to consolidate their place in the knockout round playoff positions in the Europa League. A loss to Celta Vigo would put them at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds this term.

Team News

For Celta Vigo, left-back Mihailo Ristic remains sidelined with a muscle strain, while midfielder Ilaix Moriba will serve a one-match ban due to an accumulation of yellow cards in the Europa League. Miguel Roman or Fran Beltran is expected to earn a recall in midfield alongside Hugo Sotelo, while Oscar Mingueza and Sergio Carreira are set to continue as wing-backs in Giraldez's 3-4-3 system. Pablo Duran could start up front after scoring the opening goal in both of his last two games, or top scorer Borja Iglesias might return to the first XI.

Lille's Injuries

For Lille, Hamza Igamane recently sustained an ACL injury and is joined in the treatment room by Benjamin Andre (shoulder), Andre Gomes, and Calvin Verdonk (both muscle). In-demand Matias Fernandez-Pardo is also out with a thigh injury, which could leave Bruno Genesio with a limited selection for the match.

Head-to-Head History

Celta Vigo has only ever faced French opposition five times in their history and has won just once (drawn two, lost two), beating Nice 2-1 on home soil in October of this season's competition. On the other hand, Lille has faced Spanish opposition 17 times and has celebrated victory five times (drawn six, lost six), although they have won each of their last three encounters since November 2021, beating Sevilla, Atletico Madrid, and Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Key Players to Watch

For Celta Vigo, top scorer Borja Iglesias has been in fine form, netting 11 goals this term. His presence in the starting XI could be a game-changer. On the other hand, Lille will be hoping for a performance from their recent high-scoring players, as they look to turn their fortunes around.

Conclusion

The match between Celta Vigo and Lille promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams in need of a victory. Celta Vigo's perfect start to 2026 and Lille's recent struggles make this an intriguing matchup. Fans can expect a competitive and exciting game as both sides look to secure a crucial win.