Real Madrid are looking to make it three wins from three to start their 2023/24 La Liga season as they take on Rafa Benitez's Celta Vigo on Friday night.
Determined to reclaim the crown which Barcelona snatched last time out, Carlo Ancelotti's side have made a promising start to the season with summer arrival Jude Bellingham already emerging as a match-winner in the Spanish capital.
After scoring on his La Liga debut in the 2-0 win over Athletic Club, Bellingham scored twice and notched an assist in last weekend's 3-1 victory at Almeria. Carlo Ancelotti's side are just one of three teams to claim maximum points through two games, with their upcoming opponents, Celta, earning their first point of the campaign away at Real Sociedad on Matchday 2.
Benitez will be determined to get one over his former employers.
Here's 90min's preview of Real Madrid's Friday night clash.
Where are Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid playing?
- Location: Vigo, Spain
- Stadium: Estadio de Balaídos
- Date: Friday 25 August
- Kick-off Time: 20:30 BST / 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT
- Referee: TBC
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Celta Vigo: 0 wins
- Real Madrid: 5 wins
- Draws: 0
- Last meeting: Real Madrid 2-0 Celta Vigo (La Liga) - 22 April 2023
Current Form (Last Five Games)
- Celta Vigo: DLWLD
- Real Madrid: WWDWW
How to watch Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid on TV and live stream
Celta Vigo team news
Speculation surrounding his future means star young midfielder Gabri Veiga will likely be absent from the Celta squad. The Spaniard is hoping to secure a move to Napoli, but negotiations are stuttering.
Iago Aspas will lead the line for the hosts, but they'll be without Goncalo Paciencia and Carles Perez in attack due to calf and muscular problems respectively.
Thus, Jørgen Strand Larsen should continue alongside Aspas up top for Celta.
Celta Vigo predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
(4-4-2): Villar; Mingueza, Starfelt, Nunez, Sanchez; Beltran, Sotelo, Dotor, Bamba; Aspas, Strand Larsen.
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Real Madrid team news
Los Blancos have been dealt a couple of devastating injury blows already this season, with both Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao succumbing to ACL tears.
Andriy Lunin had previously deputised for Courtois between the sticks, but new signing Kepa Arrizabalaga should come in for this game.
Friday's visitors will once again be without Arda Guler after he underwent knee surgery in pre-season, while both Dani Ceballos and Ferland Mendy are expected to miss out too.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Celta Vigo
(4-3-1-2): Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Tchouameni, Valverde, Kroos; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid score prediction
Celta looked somewhat dynamic in their draw at Real Sociedad last time out, but they'll likely aim to frustrate the visitors in Vigo on Friday night. Madrid are still finding their feet in Ancelotti's 4-3-1-2 system, although the early signs are doubtlessly promising.
Given Jude Bellingham's brilliant start and the sheer power of their midfield, the visitors should dominate the contest territorially and be able to sustain pressure for much of the bout. However, will they be able to piece it together in the final third? Benitez's side will try their utmost to lock down the visitors for 90 minutes, but it'll be a tough ask.
A slender away win is in the offing.
Prediction: Celta Vigo 0-1 Real Madrid
This article was originally published on 90min as Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid - La Liga: TV channel, team news, lineups and prediction.