Real Madrid – Celta Vigo : Preview & Prediction
With a 2-0 win over Cádiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla last matchday, Real Madrid reduced to 11 points its gap to FC Barcelona, the leader of LaLiga Santander (LL), who were held to a draw by Girona. The gap still seems insurmountable, but Los Blancos will continue to fight for their 36th league title after sealing their place in the Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
In their last league game at the Bernabeu, Madrid suffered their first home defeat (G9, E4, P1) in the current campaign, going down 3-2 to Villarreal, who were behind twice. Without the distraction of the Champions League, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad faces a new and demanding duel at home, where they have not strung together two league defeats since March 2019.
Celta Vigo travel to the capital after taking a step back in their ambition to achieve a European place in the year of their centenary. The Celestes visit the Bernabéu after losing 1-0 to Mallorca at Balaídos and seeing a seven-game unbeaten run (G3, E4) cut short. The Vigo side, who have finished in the top ten in the last two LL campaigns, are on an excellent run away from home and will be confident of their chances of toppling Madrid in LL for the first time in almost nine years (last win: 11-5-2014 – E2, P15 since).
The last league win for the team from the Olympic city as visitors against Madrid dates back to November 2006 (E1, P9), reflecting the enormity of the challenge facing Carlos Carvalhal’s squad. Celta’s five unbeaten starts (G2, E3) should give them confidence to take on a giants that could secure the services of midfielder Gabri Veiga, a pearl of the Celeste youth academy who is proving to be one of the big sensations in the current championship.
Players to watch: In the second leg against Chelsea, Rodrygo scored a brace after the 50th minute, a period in which he has scored five of his six most recent goals. Also dangerous down the stretch, Carles Perez has closed Celta’s scoring account in two of the last four matchdays.
Serie A highlight: There have been goals in both the first and second halves of each of the last seven meetings between Los Blancos and Celta (Real Madrid: G6, E1).
Real Madrid – Celta Vigo : Betting Tips
OVER 2.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
