Verdict: Borja Iglesias over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Desperately searching for an immediate La Liga response on Friday night, Real Madrid will travel to Galicia when they meet Celta Vigo.

Celta Vigo

Starting with the hosts, putting in another eye-catching performance over the weekend as they secured a 2-1 victory away at Girona, Celta Vigo are enjoying what has become a recent purple patch and they will certainly be relishing a heavyweight battle on Friday night. Extending on their Europa League adventure on February 26th as they secured a 3-1 aggregate victory against Greek outfit PAOK, Claudio Giraldez’s side have come roaring back from their minor blip on either side of opening February. Skyrocketing their way back into the European spots, Celta Vigo have also gained a reputation for their extended success on home soil. Getting the New Year underway with a stellar 4-1 romp against Valencia, the Sky Blues have won five of their previous six showdowns at Balaidos across all competitions.

Celta Vigo Team News

Dealing with a recent knee injury, academy graduate Pablo Duran is once again expected to miss out on Friday night. However, serving a one-match suspension against Girona last week, leading marksman Borja Iglesias should be handed an immediate full recall in the final third.

Likewise, while veteran defender Marcos Alonso might have missed out last weekend with a knock, Celta Vigo are hopeful that the former Chelsea star will be able to make a timely return. Enjoying what has been an impressive maiden campaign at Balaidos, Romanian international Ionut Radu will start between the sticks here.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, coming under major scrutiny on Monday night as they slumped to an infamous 1-0 defeat at home against local rivals Getafe, Real Madrid watched their La Liga title dreams taken a real blow. Still sat four points adrift of arch-rivals and reigning Spanish champions Barcelona, Los Blancos have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they travel to Balaidos on Friday night. In fact, hit with a last-gasp 2-1 loss away at Osasuna on February 21st, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side have remarkably suffered consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since way back in May 2019. Facing what could be another rugged test when they travel to Galicia this weekend, Madrid should be concerned by their most recent showdown against Friday’s opponents. In fact, the Spanish icons slumped to a 2-0 loss when they welcomed Celta Vigo to the capital for their reverse La Liga battle on December 7th.

Real Madrid Team News

In what is a heavyweight blow for Los Blancos, Real Madrid have confirmed that attacking talisman Kylian Mbappe is dealing with a recent knee issue. Likewise, still dealing with a hamstring injury, England international Jude Bellingham will not play any part on Friday night.

Shown a straight red card after coming off the bench against Getafe on Monday night, Argentinian youngster Franco Mastantuono will miss out through suspension. Brazilian ace Rodrygo could make a first domestic start since Madrid’s 3-2 Super Cup defeat against Barcelona on January 11th.

Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider

• When Celta Vigo and Real Madrid met for their reverse La Liga showdown on December 7th, Friday’s hosts collected a famous 2-0 victory in the Spanish capital.
• Los Blancos have astonishingly suffered consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since way back in May 2019.
• Celta Vigo have won their previous four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-2.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues have won five of their previous six showdowns in front of their own supporters.
• Real Madrid have recorded just a single clean sheet at Balaidos since way back in May 2014.

Conclusion

Suffering consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since way back in 2019, Real Madrid have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders when they travel to Balaidos on Friday night. Falling to a 2-1 loss when they welcomed Celta Vigo to the Spanish capital for their reverse top-flight battle on December 7th, Los Blancos could face another potential headache this weekend. It should also be highlighted, Celta have won five of their last six showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Verdict: Borja Iglesias over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet