Following a perfect start to the season, Real Madrid will aim to make it 3 wins out of 3 games when they face Celta Vigo at the Balaidos on Friday night.
Real Madrid had a start to the new season as they wished for. Over the first two games, they got to see their new marquee signing Jude Bellingham score three times, making a mark to send the club top as early league leaders.
Los Blancos approach this match on the back of a comprehensive 3-1 win against Almeria. Castilla graduate Sergio Arribas opened the scoring for the hosts as he made a mark against his recently departed club. After a shaky start to the game, Real Madrid gradually grew into it as Jude Bellingham equalised the scores in the 19th minute. Almeria failed to recover control of the match and the visitors snatched the lead in the 60th minute through the Englishman. Later, Vincius Jr. opened his account for the season as he converted a lifted shot to send it past goalkeeper Maximiano to kill the game.
Meanwhile, Celta Vigo are yet to register a win this season and taking into account their recent form, Friday’s hosts are total outsiders in their chances to even grab a point.
Los Celestes failed to find the net in their opening fixture of the season as a lacklustre side was controlled and disposed of well by Osasuna. Ruben Garcia Santos and Moi Gomez were on the scoresheet that day to hand the Balaidos dwellers their first defeat of the campaign.
Celta Vigo approach this match after picking up a well-fought 1-1 draw against top-four favourites Real Sociedad in their last game. Ander Barretnetxea’s early goal gave the hosts a cushion as it seemed to be enough to get them across the finishing line but Rafael Benitez’s side kept on pushing until the very last minute as defender Oscar Mingueza thumped in the equaliser in added time to hand his team their first point of the season.
Team News
Rafael Benitez is aware that he will suffer in his attacking department due to the absence of Goncalo Paciencia and Carles Perez, who are set to miss with calf and muscle problems respectively.
As for Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti will miss long-term absentees Ferland Mendy, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Dani Ceballos and Arda Guler through injury.
The diamond formation is expected to be fielded by the Italian manager. Toni Kroos might get the nod to start after an exquisite performance in his previous game.
Predicted XI
Celta Vigo (4-4-2): Ivan Villar; Oscar Mingueza, Carl Starfelt, Unai Nunez, Manu Sanchez; Fran Beltran, Hugo Sotelo, Carlos Dotor, Jonathan Bamba; Iago Aspas, Jorgen Strand Larsen
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Fran Garcia; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga; Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior.
