Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo Preview
After qualifying for their 11th UCL semi final in 13 seasons, Los Blancos play an opponent against whom they enjoy an amazing record.
Three days after reaching their 11th UCL semi final in 13 seasons, the Los Blancos are set to play Celta Vigo tonight in La Liga. In the league this season, the defending champions have been rather inconsistent. They started their La Liga title defense with an impressive unbeaten run of 12 games including prominent wins over Atletico Madrid and Barcelona before losing 3-2 to Rayo beginning their loss of form leading up to the world cup. Although, the performance improved after the world cup, it was not good enough to make a solid comeback in the league.
Carlo Ancelotti hinted in his pre match press conference that he would consider rotating players who are tired after the mid week fixture. So, rest to key players such as Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos is expected. However, the captain Karim Benzema seems fit and should start the match as the striker. It would be worth watching how some of the other players who have not been regularly starting fare tonight like Dani Ceballos and mainly Aurélien Tchouaméni who has been pushed down the order in the midfield as compared to before the world cup when he was the starting 6. Real Madrid have an amazing record against Celta and last lost to them back in 2014.
As for Celta Vigo who have not won a league game in this month, it would be another tough fixture at the Bernabéu. However, they are unbeaten in their last five away league games, but considering Real’s great record against them, this streak may come to a halt tonight. Their best bet should be on veteran striker Iago Aspas who has scored 4 goals and 4 assists in 17 appearances against Real. They would miss the services of their veteran Right back Hugo Mallo , who got a red card in his last league game against Mallorca.
Real Madrid go in to their 30th league game tonight being 9 points behind the current league leaders Barcelona. Also, Atletico Madrid have improved their league form and are only 2 points behind them at third place. Therefore, anything other than a win will surely not satisfy the Los Blancos. On the other hand Celta are on 12th with 36 points and they sit safe from drop zone but they would not want to get too comfortable and should look to fight hard even if they are heavy underdogs coming in tonight. Real Madrid would be looking to build on their brilliant run since the last international break and hope to dominate the game from the get go. My prediction is 4-1 to Real Madrid.