Celta Vigo vs Real Sociedad preview - Rodriguez targets three points

Posted Friday, April 11, 2014 by PA

Celta Vigo goalkeeper Yoel Rodriguez is setting his sights on a victory against Real Sociedad that would prove the perfect tonic to last week's drubbing at Rayo Vallecano, as well as taking the Galicians to the brink of securing their top-flight status.

Luis Enrique's side sit 13th in the Primera Division table but cannot breathe completely soundly, as they are just five points clear of the relegation zone.

La Real meanwhile are hoping to seal their place in the Europa League and, like Celta, compensate for a heavy defeat last weekend, going down 4-0 at home to Real Madrid.

The Basques are marginal favourites in the game due to their superior league position but should be wary that Sevilla, who sit one place above them in the Primera Division table, lost at Balaidos a fortnight ago.

And it is the performance against Unai Emery's side that Yoel hopes Celta can replicate on Saturday.

"We hope we can produce a performance like we did in our last home game and that the result also goes our way because it would be a huge step for us, almost definitive, in completing our objective," the goalkeeper told reporters.

"I'm sure La Real will try and contest the ball with us more than Sevilla did but we have to be loyal to our style to try and cause them damage.

"We are playing at home and we go into the game after conceding three goals in Vallecas, so we want to wipe the slate clean. Sometimes La Real's players appear to be out of position, but they play that way to cause you damage, so we will have to be very careful."

Celta striker Charles has been given the all-clear to play despite having his nose broken by Rayo's Razvan Rat in the defeat in Vallecas, but will continue to wear the protective mask he has been sporting in training.

Sociedad midfielder Markel Bergara has conceded his team have their work cut out if they want to catch local rivals Athletic Bilbao in fourth spot, instead targeting fifth place.

"Fourth spot is now far away but getting fifth would be huge for us because it would mean avoiding the Europa League play off games, but we have to watch out for Sevilla, because they are very strong," he told reporters.

And he was under no illusions about the difficulty of getting three points at Celta.

He said: "It's going to be a complicated game because the teams that are fighting against the drop always make it difficult for you."

La Real will be without captain Xabi Prieto, who has a sprained ankle, while both left-backs Alberto de la Bella and Jose Angel are doubts.