Real Valladolid welcome Celta Vigo to the Estadio Jose Zorrilla in LaLiga on Wednesday, with both sides looking to make up for narrow defeats on the weekend.
While the hosts were sunk by a Joselu header at Espanyol on Sunday, the visitors were the latest victims of Real Sociedad's record-breaking win streak, falling to a 2-1 defeat to Imanol Alguacil's men.
Match preview
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Despite positive signs from Real Valladolid going forward in recent weeks, the newly-promoted side are struggling to put together any real run of form.
Pucela's two victories so far this campaign, a last-gasp win over Almeria back in September, and a 3-2 win over Getafe at the start of this month, have been sandwiched between disappointing defeats to fellow bottom-half sides, with a 1-0 loss to winless Cadiz before the international break a particular low point for Pacheta's men.
In a similar vein, Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Espanyol will have hurt Los Blanquivioletas, switching off for a split-second to allow the prolific Joselu an opportunity to attack a lofted cross.
Nonetheless, averaging over 14 shots and 55% possession across their last five LaLiga fixtures, Valladolid are a competitive side, and will certainly be looking to control the game with their home support spurring them on.
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Celta Vigo, on the other hand, will be relieved to see the other side of a horror run of games, having faced Atletico Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, Real Betis and Real Sociedad in their last five fixtures, falling to four defeats in that time.
The latest, a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad, was made all the more painful by a returning Brais Mendez, who registered his eighth goal involvement since his move to San Sebastian, against his former club. An inswinging corner, powered home by Igor Zubeldia, proved to be the difference in a relatively even affair.
Eduardo Coudet's men were perhaps unfortunate not to get a result at Camp Nou as well, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen was called into action multiple times.
Iago Aspas is, of course, the man leading the goalscoring charts for Celta, having netted six times in nine league appearances so far this season, but the performances of homegrown midfielder Gabriel Veiga have also been a huge source of encouragement for Os Celestes this campaign, with the 20-year-old looking right at home in coach Coudet's ambitious 4-1-3-2 system.
With more winnable games on the horizon after an incredibly tough run, Celta will be targeting a trip to Valladolid as an opportunity to get some precious points on the board.
Team News
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After a fantastic start to the season, 18-year-old full-back Ivan Fresneda is likely to miss the next few games with a quadriceps injury, allowing Lucas Olaza to come back into the squad.
Centre-back Jawad El Yamiq will miss out again with a hamstring problem, while Gonzalo Plata and Kenedy should also be unavailable.
Shon Weissman impressed off the bench against Espanyol, and could give Pacheta a selection headache in attack.
For the visitors, striker Goncalo Paciencia was sent off in the dying embers of Celta's defeat to Real Sociedad, and will be forced to sit this encounter out.
Otherwise, Coudet seems to have a full squad to choose from, and could name an unchanged side.
Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Escudero, Joaquin, Sanchez, Olaza; Monchu, Mesa, Perez; Plano, Weissman, Sanchez
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Marchesin; Galan, Nunez, Aidoo, Mallo; Beltran; Cervi, Veiga, Oscar; Aspas, Larsen
We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Celta Vigo
Real Valladolid need a reaction here after a disappointing defeat last time out, and should be able to use their home advantage to force a few good opportunities to go on and win the game.
Celta Vigo, however, are a competitive side, and need points of their own. They should have enough to nick at least a draw.
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