Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid

Estadio de Balaidos forms the backdrop for a lopsided La Liga encounter between out-of-form Celta Vigo and high-flying Real Madrid.

Celta Vigo’s 12th consecutive season in La Liga couldn’t have gone any worse thus far. After barely securing survival last term, ‘Los Celestes’ parted with manager Carlos Carvalhal in June, bringing Rafa Benitez to take his place in an effort to ensure a more solid campaign. But following a dismal 2-0 home loss to Osasuna on the opening weekend, Celta had to find a stoppage-time equalizer to hold Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw last time out, suggesting another season-long fight against the drop could be in store. Madrid’s upcoming visit to Vigo won’t make life any easier for Benitez, especially given that Celta’s last home win over ‘Los Blancos’ dates back to 2014. That’s not to mention they’ve conceded in all ten competitive home H2Hs since!

On the other hand, Real Madrid’s life without Karim Benzema has been a resounding success. Marquee summer signing Jude Bellingham delivered a match-winning performance in a come-from-behind 3-1 win at Almeria last weekend, scoring twice and assisting once. His stellar display came less than a week after inspiring ‘Los Merengues’ to a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao, which makes them one of only three La Liga sides to boast a 100% record after the opening two rounds. Delivering action from the get-go, they’ve found the net within the first 30 minutes on both league travels this term. Carlo Ancelotti may need his frontline at its best, considering his men haven’t kept a clean sheet on their last 16 competitive trips to Celta! But since they netted 2+ goals in 14 of those 16 matches, including the last ten in a row, there’s no reason for skepticism.