Real Madrid faces a crucial La Liga clash against Celta Vigo after a disappointing Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona. With key injuries leaving them depleted, including Rüdiger and Alaba, Los Blancos must win their remaining five league games to stay in title contention, trailing Barcelona by four points. Despite previously defeating Celta Vigo twice this season, the Sky Blues have shown improved form recently. Manager Carlo Ancelotti needs a robust performance from his squad, particularly as emergency center-back Tchouaméni must avoid yellow card suspension ahead of El Clásico. Prediction: Real Madrid 2–1 Celta Vigo.
A weakened Real Madrid side faces the challenge of rebounding from Copa del Rey disappointment with a difficult La Liga encounter against Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid is on the brink of finishing the season without significant trophies. After their Champions League exit in the quarterfinals and a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, Los Blancos aim to redeem their season by clinching La Liga.
Carlo Ancelotti’s squad needs to secure victories in their last five league matches to apply pressure on the Catalans, who are currently four points ahead of Real Madrid at the La Liga summit. Celta Vigo is the first hurdle for the defending champions.
Real Madrid has already triumphed over Celta Vigo in both La Liga and Copa del Rey this season, yet the Sky Blues have been improving recently. Just weeks ago, Barcelona needed a last-minute penalty to secure all three points against Celta Vigo. Now, it’s Real Madrid’s opportunity to aim for a similar result.
Here’s everything you need to know prior to this crucial La Liga showdown.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Last meeting: Real Madrid 5–2 Celta Vigo (January 16, 2025) – Copa del Rey
Current Form (All Competitions)
|
Real Madrid |
Celta Vigo |
|---|---|
|
Barcelona 3–2 Real Madrid – 4/26/25 |
Celta Vigo 3–0 Villarreal – 4/23/25 |
|
Getafe 0–1 Real Madrid – 4/23/25 |
Barcelona 4–3 Celta Vigo – 4/19/25 |
|
Real Madrid 1–0 Athletic Bilbao – 4/20/25 |
Celta Vigo 0–2 Espanyol – 4/12/25 |
|
Real Madrid 1–2 Arsenal – 4/16/25 |
Mallorca 1–2 Celta Vigo – 4/5/25 |
|
Alaves 0–1 Real Madrid – 04/13/25 |
Celta Vigo 1–1 Las Palmas – 3/31/25 |
|
Country |
TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
|
United States |
ESPN+, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV |
|
United Kingdom |
Premier Sports Player, Premier Sports 2, LaLigaTV |
|
Canada |
TSN+, TSN4 |
|
Mexico |
Sky+Sky Sports Mexico |
In the wake of the Copa del Rey final, Real Madrid faced multiple injury setbacks. Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, and David Alaba will miss the entire season, joining Eduardo Camavinga, Éder Militão, and Dani Carvajal on the injury list.
Aurélien Tchouaméni, now reassigned to central defense, must tread carefully to avoid a yellow card. A booking against Celta Vigo would trigger a suspension that would keep him out of El Clásico.
Rodrygo, typically a guaranteed starter alongside Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, has been excluded from Real Madrid’s squad.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Celta Vigo (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Vázquez, Asencio, Tchouaméni, García; Valverde, Ceballos, Modrić; Bellingham; Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Celta Vigo’s Carl Starfelt will be out due to a hamstring injury and likely miss the rest of the season. Yoel Lago has taken his place and will team up with Marcos Alonso and Carlos Domínguez in defense.
Jones El-Abdellaoui is also uncertain to play on Sunday because of a thigh injury. The 18-year-old has not debuted for the club since his transfer from Norway’s Vålerenga.
Claudio Giráldez will rely on Borja Iglesias to spearhead the attack, with Iglesias having scored a hat trick against Barcelona, followed by a goal and an assist against Villarreal.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (3-4-3): Guaita; Domínguez, Lago, Alonso; Álvarez, Rodriguez, Moriba, Mingueza; F López, Iglesias, González
Celta Vigo has not won against Real Madrid since 2017. Los Blancos have triumphed in their last 10 encounters, including two matches this season.
Real Madrid’s thin defensive lineup may give Celta Vigo a chance to score, though Ancelotti’s side should still possess enough offensive strength to overcome their rivals at the Santiago Bernabéu.