Celta Vigo winger Fabian Orellana. (Photo : Getty Images)
Contending squad Celta de Vigo (16-11-9, 57 points) is set to square off with middling club Malaga CF (11-13-12, 45 points) in a 2015-2016 La Liga season matchup at the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos this Sunday, May 8th.
Celta Vigo was defeated by fellow contenders Athletic Bilbao, 1-2, on the road at the San Mamés Stadium in their most recent La Liga match last Sunday to snap a seven-game undefeated streak, as reported by ESPN.
The Sky Blues actually scored the opening goal of the contest at the 13th minute via a goal from Chilean winger Fabian Orellana off an assist by compatriot Marcelo Diaz, but the game was immediately equalized by Bilbao forward Aritz Aduriz at the 38th.
Things went from bad to worse two minutes later for head coach Eduardo Berizzo's side when vice-captain Gustavo Cabral was sent off after getting booked with a second yellow card within three minutes.
The 10-man Os Célticos were not able to stay at par with the hosts for the rest of the match, resulting in a winning goal by Los Leones midfielder Raul Garcia at the 72nd.
The loss was the first for Celta Vigo in eight games, settling them at the sixth spot of the league table with a Europa League berth in hand.
Meanwhile, Malaga thrashed relegated team Levante UD, 3-1, at their home ground of La Rosaleda stadium on Monday, as per SkySports.
Malaga's Croatian striker Duje Cop scored a brace during the match to lead manager Javi Gracia's side to their first win in six games.
Cop opened the scoring at the 30th minute as it was answered by Levante midfielder Jose Luis Morales three minutes before the break to make it 1-1 at the half.
The contest looked headed into a draw as both teams were unable to score since then until Cop found the back of the net again one minute before full time and Uruguayan winger Chory Castro added another one in injury time to complete Los Boquerones' three-goal haul.
The predicted result is a tough 1-0 decision for Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Alvarez; Mallo, Araujo, Gomez, Jonny; Diaz, Wass; Orellana, Hernandez, Nolito; Aspas
Malaga starting lineup (4-4-2 formation): Ochoa; Rosales, Albentosa, Torres, Ricca; Juanpi, Camacho, Fornals, Castro; Cop, Charles
