Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Soon-to-be-former La Liga champions Real Madrid entertain perennial mid-table tenants Celta Vigo at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

Fresh from reaching the Champions League semi-finals for the third season running off the back of a 4-0 aggregate triumph over Chelsea in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid return to La Liga action, where they’ve blown hot and cold lately. ‘Los Blancos’ are on the verge of surrendering the crown to arch-rivals Barcelona after alternating between victories (3) and defeats (2) in their last five league matches. With 11 points standing between the two sides at the commencement of this matchday, Carlo Ancelotti’s men have nothing but pride left to play for. But after Villarreal’s 3-2 win at the Bernabeu last time out knocked Madrid down from a 100% unbeaten record in their first 13 home league games (W9, D4), the hosts will be keen to unleash their wrath on Celta.

That’s not what the visitors would want to hear following a gut-wrenching 1-0 home defeat to Mallorca in the previous round. Celta’s prospects in this fixture look bleak, considering they’re winless in their last 17 La Liga H2Hs (D2, L15), including a thumping 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in August. Yet high scoring has been a common theme in Celta’s recent league meetings with Madrid as each of the last four has witnessed over 2.5 goals and both teams on the scoresheet. ‘Los Celestes’ owe some credit for their current mid-table comforts to a decent-looking five-game undefeated streak outside the Balaidos (W2, D3). And with three of those four matches featuring 4+ total goals, the high-scoring theme could be the order of the day again.