La Liga action heats up as Celta de Vigo hosts the formidable Real Madrid at the iconic Municipal de Balaidos in Vigo, Spain. Celta Vigo currently sit 9th in the standings while Real Madrid are 1st in the League.

Head-to-Head

In the last seven years, Real Madrid has dominated the rivalry, winning 12 out of 14 matches against Celta Vigo, with only 2 draws.

• Celta Vigo Wins: 0
• Draws: 2
• Real Madrid Wins: 12

Last 5 Encounters

1. 10 March 2024 – Real Madrid 4 – 0 Celta de Vigo
2. 26 August 2023 – Celta de Vigo 0 – 1 Real Madrid
3. 23 April 2023 – Real Madrid 2 – 0 Celta de Vigo
4. 21 August 2022 – Celta de Vigo 1 – 4 Real Madrid
5. 2 April 2022 – Celta de Vigo 1 – 2 Real Madrid

Form Guide

Celta Vigo’s Recent Form

• La Liga: L, W, L, L, D, W

Celta Vigo has struggled recently, with only one victory in their last five matches. Their inconsistent form makes them vulnerable against a stronger side like Real Madrid.

Real Madrid’s Recent Form

• La Liga: W, W, W, W, D, W
• All Competitions: W, W, W, D, L, W

Real Madrid is on a roll, showcasing a strong performance in La Liga and across all competitions. With only one draw and no losses in their last five matches, they come into this game with significant momentum.

Key Players

Celta Vigo

• Iago Aspas: The veteran striker remains a critical player for Celta, capable of changing the game with his goal-scoring ability.
• Oscar Mingueza: The defender has been instrumental in defense and contributes with assists, making him a vital asset for the team.

Real Madrid

• Jude Bellingham: The young midfielder has been in sensational form, proving to be a key player for Madrid both in midfield control and attacking.
• Vinicius Junior: His pace and dribbling skills make him a constant threat on the wing, capable of breaking through defenses and creating goal-scoring opportunities.

Possible Lineups

Celta Vigo (4-3-3)

Guaita; Manquillo, Starfelt, Alonso; Mingueza, Beltran, Cervi, Alvarez; Duran, Iglesias, Swedberg

Real Madrid (4-3-3)

Lunin; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius

5 Betting Tips

1. Bet on Real Madrid to win: Given their recent form and head-to-head record, backing Madrid is a solid choice.
2. Over 2.5 goals: Historical data suggests that matches between these two often see more than two goals scored.
3. Both teams to score: Celta Vigo has shown some attacking promise, which could lead to them finding the net despite Madrid’s strong defense.
4. Real Madrid to lead at halftime: They have been strong starters in matches, often going into the break ahead.
5. Iago Aspas to score anytime: Given his track record, he is likely to find chances against Madrid’s defense.

Important Facts

• Celta Vigo has not won any of their last eight encounters against Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid’s last victory at Celta Vigo was in 2014.
• Celta Vigo scores 38% of their goals between the 16-30 minute mark, the highest in La Liga.
• Real Madrid scores 37% of their goals between the 61-75 minute mark.
• In matches played at Celta Vigo’s home, the most common result is 1-2 in favor of Real Madrid.

Swot Analysis: Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid

Celta Vigo

Strengths:

• Home Advantage: Historically, Celta Vigo has had a moderate level of success at home, winning 8 of the last 27 encounters against Real Madrid.
• Scoring Timing: Celta Vigo scores 38% of their goals between the 16-30 minute mark, indicating a strong early-game performance.
• Recent Improvement: Celta has improved in the league standings, moving from 18th place with 6 points a year ago to 9th place with 13 points currently.

Weaknesses:

• Poor Record Against Real Madrid: Celta Vigo has not won any of their last 8 games against Real Madrid, including recent defeats (0-4 and 0-1).
• Scoring Issues: They have not scored in 1 of their 5 home matches in La Liga this season, highlighting struggles in finding the back of the net against stronger opposition.
• First-Half Performance: Celta wins only 30% of their matches in the first half, suggesting a need for better starts in games.

Opportunities:

• Capitalizing on Home Matches: With their current form, they can aim to exploit home games better, especially against mid-tier teams.
• Player Development: Young players, like Oscar Mingueza, could enhance the team’s attacking options and assist capabilities, providing room for improvement.

Threats:

• Form Against Strong Teams: Consistent losses to Real Madrid could impact the team’s morale and confidence in crucial matches.
• Inconsistency in Performance: Their overall performance has been mixed in La Liga, which can be detrimental to securing consistent points.

Real Madrid

Strengths:

• Dominant Record: Real Madrid has an impressive head-to-head record against Celta Vigo, winning 36 out of the last 54 matches.
• Consistent Scoring: They score an average of 2.6 goals against Celta Vigo and 1.77 goals when playing away, showcasing their attacking prowess.
• Strong Recent Form: Real Madrid has not lost any of their last 5 matches against Celta and continues to perform well in La Liga.

Weaknesses:

• Away Draws: Despite a strong record, Real Madrid has only achieved a single win out of 4 away matches this season, indicating room for improvement in away performance.
• Inconsistent Early Game: While strong in the second half, they score only 37% of their goals between minutes 61-75, which may indicate reliance on late-game performance.

Opportunities:

• Building Momentum: Continuing their winning streak against Celta can help bolster team morale and position in the league standings.
• Depth of Squad: The team possesses a deep roster with key players like Vinicius Junior and Bellingham, allowing for tactical flexibility and adaptability during matches.

Threats:

• Injuries to Key Players: As with any team, potential injuries to crucial players could significantly impact performance levels and results.
• Pressure of Expectations: Being a top team, the pressure to perform and win against lower-ranked teams can lead to complacency, which could be exploited by opponents.

Prediction

Considering Real Madrid’s current form and historical performance against Celta Vigo, it’s reasonable to predict a Real Madrid victory, possibly with a scoreline of 2-1 or 3-1. Celta Vigo’s ability to find the net, combined with Madrid’s attacking prowess, suggests a match filled with goals and excitement.

Final Prediction: Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid