Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo - Copa del Rey: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

After a chastening defeat in the Supercopa de Espana final, Real Madrid take on Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday night.

Carlo Ancelotti's side had enjoyed a productive opening to the new year, but another emphatic defeat at the hands of Clasico rivals Barcelona has opened the door for another interrogation in the Spanish capital.

The rarely flummoxed Italian manager has been a bit tetchy in the aftermath, and he could do with a bounce-back triumph in midweek before Los Blancos play catch-up to Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Madrid didn't have to exit first gear in the round of 32 of this competition as they downed minnows Deportivo Minera 5-0 ten days ago.

Celta were forced to overcome a burgeoning Real Santander side 3-2 to set up Thursday's tie. The visitors have evolved into a far more intriguing tactical unit in the wake of Rafa Benitez's dismissal, and they're on course for a comfortable mid-table finish in La Liga under promising coach Claudio Giraldez.

They're three-time Copa del Rey finalists but have never won the competition.

Here's 90min's guide to Thursday's Copa del Rey clash.

What time does Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo kick-off?

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo on TV - UK & US

Real Madrid team news

Ancelotti will tinker with his starting lineup on Thursday / Anadolu/GettyImages

Ancelotti paid for leaving his midfield pivot on an island in the Supercopa de Espana final, with Madrid's front four failing to fire with the exception of Kylian Mbappe.

The boss will make changes on Thursday night ahead of the weekend's La Liga tussle with Las Palmas. Mbappe could retain his place up top, but he'll likely be joined by Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in attack. Vini Jr is available but suspended in La Liga, so a start makes sense here.

Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are in contention for starts in the middle of the park, with Eduardo Camavinga suffering from illness and Federico Valverde in need of a rest.

The hosts are still without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Lunin; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia; Ceballos, Modric; Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Mbappe.

Celta Vigo team news

Celta captain Iago Aspas is out with a muscle injury / Octavio Passos/GettyImages

Celta have an outside shot of claiming European football this season, but they have no reason not to prioritise this fixture at the Bernabeu. Highly-regarded head coach Claudio Gonzalez should opt for as strong a team as possible in the Spanish capital.

The visitors cannot call upon veteran skipper Iago Aspas, who's currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Marcos Alonso, once of Barcelona, misses out with an ankle injury and he won't he able to play at the weekend after his dismissal in La Liga last weekend.

Alfon Gonzalez is out for a few weeks but Mihailo Ristic and Javier Rodriguez are both available.

Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (3-4-3): Villar; Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Cervi; Duran, Bamba, Iglesias.

Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo score prediction

Madrid were awful in the Supercopa final, with Ancelotti's tactical blunders starting to become a concern. Rotation should freshen the team up, but they'll be facing an enterprising Celta Vigo team capable of springing an upset.

Giraldez's visitors are a fearless bunch, and they'll take Thursday's cup tie to their vulnerable hosts. However, their willingness to play should open the door for Vini Jr and Mbappe to pounce.

This could be an uncomfortable evening for Madrid, but we'll back Ancelotti's men to bounce back.