Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo: Match preview | OneFootball

Following a heartbreaking defeat in the Copa Del Rey final last week, Real Madrid are set to face off against Celta Vigo in match day 34 of La Liga, in what happens to be an early kickoff.

This game is of utmost importance for both sides, but a lot more is at stake for the reigning European champions. Celta is all but set to play in the Europa League next season, but the Merengues have a slim chance of clinching the league title.

Real Madrid will have their task cut out since there are only 6 defenders in the squad, with 2 being called up from Castilla. One of them, Youssef Lekhedim, is likely to receive minutes tomorrow, while Aurelien Tchouameni may partner up with Raul Asencio in defence.

The Spaniard has been average in the past few games, but will have to rise to the occasion since he will have an important part to play in the final five matches, with Antonio Rudiger ruled out for the rest of the season.

To pile onto problems, Rodrygo has not been called up for this fixture due to a cold and slight fever. It was a surprising exclusion to say the least, following a week when it was rumored that he might be on the verge of leaving the club.

Madrid’s midfield will have an important role against Celta, and they’ll be further boosted by Arda Guler’s recent performances. Carlo Ancelotti heaped praise on the youngster in the pre-match presser, and he is in line to receive a start.

Moreover, Kylian Mbappe has been the club’s best attacker this season and is 3 goals behind Robert Lewandowski’s league goal tally, sitting on 22 goals. His partner up front, Vinicius Junior’s decision-making in the final third has been questionable, and the Brazilian will look to end the season on a high.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior. [Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images]

On the other hand, Celta Vigo are comfortably placed 7th in the table, and although they do have a chance to finish 5th at least and earn a spot in the Champions League, that seems unlikely since they are 12 points behind and just 5 games remain in the season.

However, they surely won’t go down without a fight, especially considering their history with Los Blancos and how they’ve given the men in white a tough time.

As always, Iago Aspas, the visitors’ captain and leading goal-scorer, will be the danger man, along with Borja Iglesias – the duo scoring 9 goals each in La Liga.

Aspas, in particular, has a knack for scoring crucial goals and steps up in big games. Since Real Madrid has a vulnerable defense, the Spaniard will look to take his chances. Defensively, even Celta are penetrable, and the duo of Vinicius and Mbappe will look to cause trouble to the away side.

These sides have met twice this season, with Los Blancos winning both ties – once in a close encounter at the Balaidos, followed by the Copa Del Rey quarter-final where the Merengues scored 5 past them.

This game is expected to be a cracking encounter as Celta Vigo looks to be a thorn in Madrid’s race to the league title. A loss here will surely put an end to any title-winning hopes for the men in white.