Sevilla vs Celta Vigo preview - Celta looking up

Posted Monday, March 04, 2013 by PA

Celta Vigo have the chance to climb out of the relegation zone for the first time in over a month when they take on wounded Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium.

A run of four defeats and two draws in six Primera Division matches had seen Celta slump into the bottom three and fall four points adrift of safety.

However, last weekend's 2-1 home win over Granada saw that poor run come to an end and lifted them back to within two points of fourth-bottom Real Zaragoza.

With Zaragoza losing to Getafe on Friday night, Celta have the opportunity to move out of the bottom three if they can beat a Sevilla side hurting from their midweek Copa del Rey semi-final exit.

Celta goalkeeper Javi Varas, who is on loan from his home-town club Sevilla, insists the Galician side make the long trip south with confidence boosted by last weekend's triumph.

"The victory against Granada allowed us to break the poor run we were on, and even though there is still a long way to go, now safety looks a little closer. As well as that, the mood in the camp has risen," the 30-year-old told Efe.

Celta beat Sevilla 2-0 at home earlier in the campaign and another victory would set them up nicely going into what could be a decisive few weeks in the club's season.

Celta's next three games see them face Real Madrid, arch rivals Deportivo La Coruna and then Barcelona.

Varas said of those matches: "We cannot go out already defeated in any game because I'm sure in all of them we will have our chances."

Sevilla's cup disappointment at the hands of Atletico Madrid means their only chance to salvage something from a disappointing season is to get into the European places in the Primera Division.

Unai Emery's men started the weekend in 12th place on 32 points, eight off the top six.

Winger Jesus Navas said following the Atletico game: "We need to now concentrate on getting into European competition. The team is working hard and we need to improve on the mistakes we've been making, while building on the positives."