Celta come into this one with a spring in their step. They've been grinding through pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Académico de Viseu, but that result flatters the opposition. The real story is at Balaídos, where Celta are a different animal. They've built a fortress there, and the fans create a wall of noise that rattles visiting sides. Recent form at home has been solid, and they'll be desperate to make amends after a mixed start to the campaign. The 1-0 win over Sevilla in January shows they can beat the big boys when it clicks.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are a team in transition. They've had a quiet summer, with only Eder Garcia stepping up from the youth ranks. That's a statement of intent — they're trusting the academy, but it also means they lack the spark of new signings. Their recent form has been patchy, especially away from San Mamés. The 2-1 loss to Sevilla in August 2025 and the 3-2 defeat at home to the same side in March 2025 show they can be vulnerable. And with Nico Williams still finding his feet after Spain's World Cup win, they might not be firing on all cylinders just yet.

Celta have momentum. They're at home, they're confident, and they've got a point to prove. Athletic are the ones with questions to answer. This is the perfect time to catch them.