Real Madrid will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in Spain's top flight when they continue their domestic campaign with a clash against Celta Vigo at the Estadio Municipal de Balaidos on Saturday night.
Los Blancos are currently second in the La Liga table, boasting 21 points from their opening nine matches of the campaign, while Celta occupy ninth, with a successful start seeing them collect 13 points from nine games.
Match preview
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Celta have been a good watch in La Liga this season, boasting a record of four wins, one draw and four defeats from nine matches to collect 13 points, which has left them in ninth spot in the division ahead of their return to action.
The Sky Blues have scored 16 times in the league this term - only Barcelona (28), Real Madrid (19) and Villarreal (17) have more - but they have also conceded 15, which is the joint-third worst defensive record in the division.
Celta entered the October international break off the back of a 1-0 success over Las Palmas, with Borja Iglesias netting the only goal of the contest in the 28th minute to secure all three points.
Claudio Giraldez's side actually have the third-best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 10 points from their five matches, and they will be welcoming a Real Madrid outfit with only one win to show from their four league fixtures on their travels in the opening weeks of the 2024-25 campaign.
Celta have lost each of their last eight league games against Real Madrid, though, with their last top-flight victory over Los Blancos coming more than 10 years ago, which is an indication of the size of their task in Saturday's contest.
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Real Madrid have not been at their best in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, but they are still second in the La Liga table, only three points behind leaders Barcelona ahead of El Clasico next weekend.
Carlo Ancelotti's side were 2-0 winners over Villarreal before the international break, with that success following a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby and a 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League.
Los Blancos have a huge end to the month, as they will welcome Borussia Dortmund in Europe in the middle of next week before hosting Barcelona in the league next weekend.
Real Madrid have won their last three matches against Celta without conceding a goal, but as mentioned, the champions have only been victorious in one of their four away league games this term, drawing with Mallorca, Las Palmas and Atletico.
There has been an argument that Kylian Mbappe's arrival has upset the balance of the side, but the Frenchman has managed five goals in eight league appearances this term, while Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo have three each in La Liga.
Team News
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Celta will be without the services of two players through suspension this weekend, with Iago Aspas, who has scored four times in the league this season, missing alongside Ilaix Moriba.
Both Aspas and Moriba were sent off against Las Palmas last time out, and they are joined on the sidelines by Jailson and Luca de la Torre, while Jonathan Bamba will need to be assessed.
Carl Starfelt should overcome a knock to continue in the middle of the defence, though, and the absences of Aspas and Moriba could open the door for Pablo Duran and Franco Cervi to feature in the first XI.
As for Real Madrid, Thibaut Courtois remains a doubt due to a hip problem, meaning that Andriy Lunin could continue between the sticks, while Dani Carvajal is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
Los Blancos are expected to receive a double injury boost, though, with Eder Militao and Vinicius set to be available after picking up issues against Villarreal, while Dani Ceballos was back on the bench against the Yellow Submarine.
Brahim Diaz and David Alaba remain unavailable for selection, but Real Madrid have not reported any fresh concerns over the international break, with Mbappe and Jude Bellingham also expected to be in the side, while Carvajal's absence will open the door for Lucas Vazquez to enjoy a run in the side at right-back.
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Manquillo, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Beltran, Cervi, Alvarez; Duran, Iglesias, Swedberg
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius
We say: Celta Vigo 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have found it difficult to get going on their travels this season, and Celta are a big threat in the final third of the field. Aspas's absence is a blow for the Sky Blues, though, and we are backing Ancelotti's side to pick up a much-needed three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
