Athletic vs Celta Prediction
🔊 Can the “Celts” hold on to their top-six spot in La Liga? One of the standout fixtures of Matchday 37 sees Athletic and Celta go head-to-head at San Mamés. Ernesto Valverde’s side have seen their hopes of European football next season dwindle after dropping points in recent rounds. Will the Spanish tactician be able to sign off with a home victory in his final match in charge of Athletic? We’ll find out soon enough. The bookmakers are giving the hosts a slight edge.
Head-to-Head
📊 Let’s break down the stats from the last ten head-to-head meetings: Athletic have claimed five wins, Celta have come out on top four times, and there’s been one draw. Both sides have averaged 1.3 goals per game over that span. It’s also worth noting that in the reverse fixture earlier this season, Claudio Giráldez’s side secured a 2-0 victory at Balaídos.
H2H Stats Matches and Previous Teams Results

Athletic Bilbao Team Overview
🔴 Even the final chapter of Ernesto Valverde’s tenure at Athletic is proving disappointing. Over their last seven matches, the Basques have suffered no fewer than five defeats. As things stand, the Bilbao side sit ninth in the league table, four points adrift of the European spots with just two rounds remaining in La Liga. Athletic’s scoring record is average at best-1.11 goals scored per game while conceding 1.47 on average. Gorka Guruzeta leads the Lions in scoring this season, having netted nine times in 33 La Liga appearances.
⚪ In the previous round of La Liga, Athletic played the role of Robin Hood, allowing Espanyol to claim their first win of 2026. Ernesto Valverde’s men struggled in every phase-transitioning from defence to attack and keeping possession in the opposition half. Their expected goals tally told the story: just 0.82. The Spanish manager favours a 4-2-3-1 tactical setup, which demands high intensity and commitment from his players. Lately, however, there’s been a critical lack of cohesion and mutual understanding within the squad.
Match Results: Athletic Bilbao

Celta de Vigo Team Overview
🔴 The Vigo side are determined to hold onto their place in La Liga’s top six. It’s worth noting that the Celts have been exceptionally effective away from home, collecting 30 points from 18 road fixtures-third-best in the league. Over the course of the season, Celta have averaged 1.42 goals scored per match while conceding 1.31. Borja Iglesias stands out as the main attacking threat for the Sky Blues, having netted 14 times in 33 appearances.
🔵 Earlier this week, Celta suffered a setback in an entertaining clash with Levante (2-3). Claudio Giráldez’s men struggled to overcome the Frogs’ resilience and their drive to secure top-flight survival. Even a brilliant performance from Ferran Jutglà, who bagged a brace, wasn’t enough to salvage any points. The Spanish manager typically opts for a three-at-the-back system, which helps the Celts navigate transitions and maintain positional control.
Match Results: Celta de Vigo
Latest news
Athletic Bilbao
❌ Dani Vivian remains a doubt for the upcoming match after the Spanish defender experienced ankle discomfort following the first half of the clash with Espanyol (0-2). Meanwhile, Nico Williams is ruled out for the remainder of the current season as the forward is nursing a hamstring injury and is targeting a return in time for the upcoming World Cup. The list of unavailable players also includes Yuri Berchiche, Beñat Prados, and Oihan Sancet, with the coaching staff unwilling to risk their involvement unless they are fully fit.
Celta de Vigo
❌ It’s highly likely that Carl Starfelt won’t feature again for his team this season, as the Swedish defender is sidelined with a herniated disc. Miguel Roman is also ruled out for the remainder of the league campaign-the midfielder is currently undergoing rehabilitation following foot surgery. On a brighter note, there’s optimism surrounding Matías Vecino’s return: the Uruguayan midfielder has rejoined full training with the squad in recent days.
⚽ Goals Prediction
It's telling that 8 of Celta's last 10 matches have seen at least three goals scored. A similar pattern emerges in 5 of the previous 6 head-to-head meetings between these sides. It's also worth noting each team's average goals conceded this season: the Basques allow 1.47 per match, while the Celts concede 1.31. With these trends in mind, our pick is over 2 total goals at odds of 1.6*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
Let's build our bet around the current statistical trends. In 9 of Celta’s last 10 matches, there have been no more than ten corners awarded. The same holds true for five recent head-to-head clashes. Looking at the season averages, the Basques concede 4 corners per game, while the Celts allow 4.6. Our editorial choice: under 9.5 total corners at odds of 1.7*.
*Odds are approximate and may vary across different bookmakers.
Editors' Prediction
The Basques are clinging to slim hopes of a European spot next season, but Athletic are dealing with significant injury concerns-several key players will be unavailable for the upcoming matchday. Meanwhile, the Celts have been outstanding on the road, showing impressive efficiency in away fixtures this campaign. Claudio Giráldez’s side look well placed to take advantage of their opponent’s problems here. A final scoreline of 2-1 in Celta’s favor seems plausible. The main bet: Celta double chance.
