With Barcelona securing their win on Saturday against Valladolid, Real Madrid must also claim victory to maintain their position in La Liga`s title race. A win against Celta Vigo would narrow the gap to four points ahead of their crucial encounter on May 11. It`s been a challenging campaign for Real Madrid; dropping points now, especially before the upcoming Clasico, could effectively end their La Liga hopes with Barcelona currently leading.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti faces challenges beyond his impending departure at the season`s end. He must also navigate player suspensions and injuries. David Alaba is sidelined for the remainder of the season. Antonio Rudiger received a six-match suspension for throwing objects at the referee, ending his Real Madrid season prematurely and ruling him out of the first game next season.
Match Information
- Date: Sunday, May 4
- Time: 8 a.m. ET
- Location: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Real Madrid -250; Draw +425; Celta Vigo +550
Last Meeting
Their last encounter was in the Copa del Rey, where Celta Vigo pushed Real Madrid hard. Celta took a 2-0 lead, but Real Madrid responded with two goals after the 83rd minute, including a penalty. Federico Valverde and Endrick then scored in extra time to secure a 3-2 comeback win. Although Real Madrid ultimately lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona, this victory against Celta was considered a high point of their season.
Coach`s Comments
Coach Carlo Ancelotti addressed speculation about his future, confirming he will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season. He stated he would discuss his next steps only after May 25. Despite having a contract until 2026, an agreement is expected for him to depart earlier. It is widely anticipated that Ancelotti will take the Brazil national team job, though the timing relative to Real Madrid`s Club World Cup participation this summer is unclear.
“I have a lot of affection for my club, my players and the fans, and at the same time, respect,” Ancelotti said. “I`ll talk about my future on May 25, and not before … I don`t have to talk now about what might happen on May 25.”
Predicted Starting Lineups
- Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois, Fran Garcia, Raul Asencio, Aurelien Tchouameni, Lucas Vazquez, Jude Bellingham, Dani Ceballos, Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
- Celta Vigo: Vicente Guaita, Sergio Carreira, Javi Rodriguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso, Oscar Mingueza, Williot Swedberg, Ilaix Moriba, Fran Beltran, Pablo Duran, Borja Iglesias
Player to Watch
Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid: Real Madrid has conceded fewer goals than Barcelona but scored nearly 30 fewer. This highlights the defense`s importance. Real has conceded in four of their last six games. With Antonio Rudiger suspended, the defense faces a challenge, particularly in handling Celta`s Borja Iglesias. Rudiger`s physical presence and ability to disrupt opponents will be missed. Tchouameni, potentially playing out of his natural position alongside the young Raul Asencio, will need to significantly contribute defensively.
Storyline to Watch
Can Real Madrid close the gap? The title race with Barcelona has become a psychological battle, depending on who plays first each week. Real Madrid needs Barcelona to drop points but must avoid underestimating Celta Vigo before the upcoming El Clasico. Celta is capable of causing problems, and Rudiger`s absence might encourage them to push forward more aggressively.
Prediction
With Jude Bellingham`s red card successfully appealed, Real Madrid`s attack will be reinforced. Alongside Kylian Mbappe, their combined pressure should be too much for Celta. While Real might not keep a clean sheet, they are expected to score enough goals to secure the win and maintain a close distance to Barcelona ahead of next week`s crucial match.
Predicted Score: Real Madrid 2, Celta Vigo 1
Benedict Kingsley