The Matchday 6 fixture of the Europa League 2025/26 group stage between Celta (Spain) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on December 11 at the Balaídos stadium in Vigo. Celta vs Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Celta
Claudio Giráldez's side suffered a surprise 2-3 away defeat to Ludogorets in the last round. Celta trailed 0-3 before managing to pull two goals back, but the loss ended their three-game winning run in the Europa League and marked the first time since 2016 that they have conceded more than two goals in this competition. With nine points, the Spaniards sit tenth in the group table and, with 11 goals scored in the group stage, are second only to Midtjylland (12) for goals in the main section of the Europa League.
- The team has won four of their last five home matches in the Europa League.
- Celta have conceded in each of their last eight home games in this competition.
- At least three goals were scored in five of the Spaniards' last six Europa League matches.
Probable Celta lineup (3-4-3)*
Iván Villar – Yoël Lago, Manu Fernández, Mihajlo Ristić – Ángel Arcos, Damián Rodríguez, Ilaix Moriba, Óscar Mingueza – Younes El-Abdellaoui, Ferran Jutglà, Borja Iglesias.
Carlos Domínguez, Javier Rueda and midfielder Fran Beltrán will miss the game through injury.
Bologna
Vincenzo Italiano's side recorded a convincing 4-1 home win over Salzburg in the previous round. Bologna extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to four matches (2 wins, 2 draws) and recorded their first big victory of this campaign. The club has failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their five group-stage matches. In the standings, the Italians have eight points and have moved up to 18th position.
- The team is unbeaten in seven of their last eight European matches (3 wins, 4 draws).
- The club failed to score more than one goal in 10 of their previous 13 European fixtures.
- Bologna have conceded in six of their last seven matches in European club competitions.
Probable Bologna lineup (4-5-1)*
Łukasz Skorupski – Emil Holm, Torbjørn Heggem, John Lucumi, Haralambos Lykogiannis – Nicolò Cambiaghi, Giovanni Fabbian, Nicola Moro, Lewis Ferguson, Federico Bernardeschi – Santiago Castro.
Goalkeeper Łukasz Skorupski, defender Martin Vitík and midfielder Remo Freuler will miss the match through injury.
Referee
Radu Petrescu (Romania)
Matches – 6 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 21;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 17%.
Prediction for Celta vs Bologna
Celta are a confident side at home and regularly collect positive results there. Across their last nine Europa League home matches, Celta have suffered only two defeats, both against experienced European opposition – Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk. In the current campaign they have won both home games and scored five goals in those matches.
Bologna are playing only their second European season in the 21st century and have limited continental achievements to date. They failed to progress from the group stage in the last Champions League campaign, and qualification for the Europa League knockout rounds this season is far from guaranteed. Away fixtures have been particularly difficult for the Italian side: in their last six European away matches they have recorded just one win (2 draws, 3 defeats), and in four of those games Bologna failed to score.
I expect the hosts to produce a strong performance, and my prediction: Celta (Draw No Bet)
* For each team the starting XI shown is the one used in their previous match in this competition.
