Real Madrid host Celta Vigo knowing they cannot drop any points if they want to continue their chase of leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Both have won this weekend and have an eight point lead over Los Blancos, having played one more match.
Los Blancos are clear favourites, taking in account Celta have only earned four victories this season. Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo will face one of his favourite victims, as he has scored seven goals in four games against the Galician team.
Gareth Bale has made it in the squad for the first time since he picked up a calf knock on December 17th, but Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the Welshman might not play.
The Italian manager has also decided to rest Fabio Coentrao, despite the Portuguese is back to normal training since Friday. Raphael Varane and Sami Khedira are still sidelined due to injuries.
However, Marcelo, Alvaro Arbeloa and Luka Modric are fit to play, despite having suffered some physical problems after last week’s friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Santiago Bernabeu crowd will put special pressure on the visitors, since manager Luis Enrique in a public enemy for Los Merengues. A former Madrid player, Luis Enrique signed for Barcelona and he used to emphatically celebrate his goals when scoring against Real.
Celta’s coach will only miss centre-back Andreu Fontas, on loan from Barcelona, who has suffered a sprained ankle.
Vigo’s team come into the game after a poor run of two losses and one draw, and are in desperate need of points to avoid falling on relegation positions.
However, it seems very unlikely that they can start taking off against Real Madrid.
Possible line-ups:
Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Alonso, Modric; Di Maria, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Celta: Yoel; Mallo, Costas, Cabral, Aurtenetxe; Lopez, Oubina, Rafinha; Fernandez, Charles, Nolito.
