Celta Vigo are flying. European qualification secured for 2026-27, a two-year extension for Marcos Alonso, and a squad that has been smartly rebuilt with four summer signings including Altay Bayindir on loan from Manchester United. They opened the season with a gritty draw at Valencia, and the spine looks settled: Radu in goal, a back line marshalled by Alonso and Lago, and a midfield that can actually play through pressure. This is not the Celta of old, the one that flirted with relegation. This is a side with belief, momentum, and a home crowd at Balaidos that smells blood.

Athletic Bilbao, meanwhile, are in a strange place. They beat Sevilla 2-1 in their opener, which sounds great, but the underlying picture is less convincing. Nico Williams is short of match fitness after winning the World Cup with Spain — he barely played in pre-season and is expected to start on the bench. That changes everything. Without him stretching the pitch, Athletic lose their sharpest weapon. They also had a quiet summer, with only Eder Garcia stepping up from the B team. This is a squad that relies on continuity, but the engine room looks a little tired after a long campaign and a World Cup summer for their key men.