Elche CF vs RC Celta de Vigo

There's early-season breathing room at stake. Elche sit 18th with five points from seven matches, already edging toward the relegation zone, while Celta Vigo are a little more settled in 14th on seven points. Neither side wants to fall further behind this early, making the three points unusually valuable for an October fixture. Form has been shaky all around. Elche were beaten 3-2 by Real Madrid last time out after clawing back from two down, only to concede late. Celta have drawn too often for comfort, though a 5-0 thrashing of Racing Santander showed their attack can still click. Rafa Mir remains Elche's main outlet on loan from Sevilla, while Celta captain Iago Aspas is still sidelined with a thigh injury picked up last month. The reverse fixture last season went Elche's way, a 2-1 home win that snapped a rough run against Celta Vigo in the series. Our prediction: 1-1