Celta Vigo vs Osasuna

Celta Vigo finally begin their 2026/27 La Liga campaign on Thursday 27 August when they host Osasuna in a fixture that was postponed from the opening weekend. The match, part of the Regular Season's first round, is a belated start for both sides caused by a fungus outbreak on the Balaídos pitch.

The original August date was scrapped after the turf problem was discovered, rescheduled despite Osasuna's complaints. Both teams enter the contest having watched their league rivals get a head start, leaving this match carrying the weight of a genuine season opener.

Team News and Injury Latest

Osasuna are set to be without versatile defender Valentin Rosier, who has been carrying a biceps femoris injury in his right leg and did not train fully ahead of the original Matchday 1. The delayed start may have bought him time, but the latest reports confirm he remains a doubt.

New manager Luis Miguel Ramis, the former Real Madrid centre-back who replaced Alessio Lisci after Lisci kept the club up on the final day last season, is expected to field a 3-4-2-1 system. The likely XI sees Sergio Herrera in goal behind a back three of Boyomo, Alejandro Catena and Diego Rico. Ante Budimir leads the line, supported by Aimar Oroz and Raúl Moro.

Celta Vigo come into the contest with a clean bill of health and confidence from an unbeaten pre-season under Claudio Giráldez. Ferran Jutglà signed off the summer by scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Napoli, while Borja Iglesias offers a physical alternative in attack. Javi Galán and Pablo Durán were in partial training as recently as 13 August, and final checks on their availability will come closer to kick-off.

Celta Vigo Form Guide: Unbeaten Summer

Giráldez's side navigated five friendlies without defeat, beating Sporting de Gijón 1-0 and Sassuolo 4-1 while drawing with Braga, Académico de Viseu and Napoli. The postponement of the Osasuna match means Celta have had to wait to translate that pre-season rhythm into competitive football, and they will be keen to make up for lost time in front of their home crowd.

Their original Matchday 1 postponement was followed by a trip to Valencia's Mestalla, where they fell to defeat on 23 August, meaning this rearranged fixture is doubly important for building early-season momentum.

Osasuna's Fresh Start Under Ramis

Osasuna enter the league fresher than most, their delayed start a potential blessing after a summer of transition. Ramis arrives from Burgos, where he earned a reputation for overperforming in the Segunda División, and inherits a squad built around the physical presence of target-man Budimir and the creative spark of midfielder Aimar Oroz.

The defensive shape will be key; Osasuna were vulnerable in pre-season when their wide defenders pushed high without adequate cover behind the ball, conceding twice via quick transitions against Al Ain. Celta's pace on the break will test whether Ramis has addressed that structural weakness.

Key Battle: Jutglà vs Catena

With Borja Iglesias providing a powerful Plan B from the bench, Ferran Jutglà is expected to lead the line after his goal against Napoli. He faces an Osasuna back three anchored by Alejandro Catena, whose reading of the game and aerial strength make him the visitors' most reliable defender. Whether Jutglà's movement can pull Catena out of position and open lanes for Celta's attacking midfielders could decide the contest.

If Javi Galán is passed fit on the left flank, his deliveries into the box against an Osasuna defence possibly missing Rosier's versatility on the right would be another route for the Galicians.

Celta follow this with a trip to Real Betis on 30 August, while Osasuna's campaign finally gets into a rhythm when they host Levante the following day. For both sides, three points here would mean a delayed but valuable first foothold in the 2026/27 La Liga table.