Prediction: Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo

Los Blancos sit second in the table, just one point behind leaders Barcelona, while Celta occupy 12th place with 16 points from their opening 14 matches. With the title race heating up and the winter break approaching, every point matters for both sides.

Real Madrid

After three consecutive league draws against Rayo Vallecano, Elche, and Girona in November, Real Madrid returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, defeating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 at San Mamés. That result kept them firmly in the title race, only a point off the summit, and they will be eager to claim another three points this weekend to maintain pressure on Barcelona.

Xabi Alonso’s men have been flawless at home this season, winning all six league fixtures at the Bernabéu and scoring 14 goals in the process. Their attacking play has been fluid, with Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior forming a lethal partnership. However, Celta have proven strong travelers, collecting 11 points from six away games, which makes them a dangerous opponent.

History heavily favors Madrid—they have won their last 11 meetings with Celta in all competitions, including a 3-2 victory in this fixture last season. Anything short of a win would be a setback ahead of next week’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City, a match that could define their European ambitions.

Team News

Madrid will be without Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy due to injuries, while Dean Huijsen, David Alaba, and Eduardo Camavinga remain doubtful. Raul Asencio could fill in at right-back, and Arda Guler may return to midfield after starting on the bench midweek. Mbappé—already on 25 goals this season—will lead the attack alongside Vinícius, with Rodrygo potentially adding width if Alonso opts for a more aggressive setup.

Celta Vigo

Celta arrive on the back of a Copa del Rey penalty shootout win over Sant Andreu, but their last league outing ended in a 1-0 home defeat to Espanyol. With just three wins from 14 La Liga matches, their record of three victories, seven draws, and four losses leaves them 12th, with too many stalemates hindering progress and raising questions about their cutting edge in attack.

Claudio Giráldez’s side are also competing in the Europa League, where they have earned nine points from five games, sitting 10th overall. Their ability to balance domestic and European duties has been commendable, but fatigue could play a role. Their last league win at the Bernabéu came in November 2006, underlining the scale of Sunday’s challenge and the need for a near-perfect performance.

Team News

Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristić are injury doubts, but Celta otherwise have a strong squad. Giráldez will recall key players after midweek rotation, including Borja Iglesias—who has eight goals this season—and veteran Iago Aspas, whose experience could be vital. Bryan Zaragoza adds pace and creativity, giving Celta multiple attacking options to test Madrid’s defense.

Conclusion

Celta have the quality to make this competitive and should create chances, especially on the counterattack, but Real Madrid’s attacking depth and home dominance point to a home win. Expect the visitors to score, yet Los Blancos are tipped to take all three points and keep their title push alive heading into a crucial Champions League clash.