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Real Madrid host Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday evening. Los Blancos have a superb record in this fixture, winning 20 of the 22 meetings between these two sides following a 2-0 defeat at the Estadio de Balaídos back in May 2014. What's more, Celta have picked up just one point from their 13 most recent league visits to the Bernabéu, with their last win here coming almost two decades ago. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have scored in each of ther last 33 home matches against Vigo, netting a total of 90 goals during this period.
Xabi Alonso’s side have navigated a demanding set of fixtures of late, and head into this match with one eye on their upcoming Champions League clash against Manchester City. Real Madrid are currently on an excellent home run, having recorded 12 straight league victories at the Bernabéu, scoring an average of 2.08 goals per game in the process. Another win on Sunday would see them equal their third-best run of consecutive home wins in the 21st century. Furthermore, Kylian Mbappé is set to make his 50th La Liga appearance after netting 47 times in his opening 49 outings, a tally that only Cristiano Ronaldo can profess to have beaten this century.
Celta Vigo travel to the Spanish capital having lost two of their last three league games, while being the team who have recorded the most draws (7) in La Liga this season. Claudio Giráldez will be looking to exploit some of the defensive vulnerabilities Real Madrid have shown in recent weeks, and has a fully-fit squad available to help him try to achieve this objective. All eyes will be Iago Aspas, who will be trying to make yet another decisive contribution on his 400th La Liga appearance. The veteran centre-forward has registered 235 direct goal involvements (168 goals and 67 assists) in the Spanish top-flight, the highest number of any native player this century. Giráldez lost both of his previous La Liga clashes against Sunday's opponents, so the Galician coach - who incidentally started his footballing career in Real Madrid's prestigious academy - will be desperate to secure all three points at the weekend.
Predictions for Real Madrid v Celta de Vigo
Real Madrid HT/FT: 4/5 (bet365)
Celta Vigo to register over 2.5 Shots on Target: 1/2 (bet365)
Real Madrid to score Over 2.5 Goals - 5/6 (bet365)
Odds provided by bet365. Correct at time of publication and subject to change.
Madrid dominance from start to finish?
As already mentioned, Real Madrid currently boast a formidable home record. Los Blancos have often been leading at half-time during that sequence of 12 consecutive triumphs, so expect them to show plenty of attacking intent from the outset.
Celta have frequently conceded early goals throughout that miserable run of defeats at the Bernabéu, which suggests the home side could dominate this match from the first minute to the last.
Furthermore, Real Madrid have taken more penalties than any other La Liga side this season (7), while Celta are guilty of regularly conceding spot-kicks (5 so far). With the visitors likely to find themselves doing a lot of defending in their own box, there's a reasonable chance of a penalty being awarded. This could prove to be decisive with regard to the outcome of the first, second, or both halves.
Prediction: Real Madrid HT/FT: 4/5
Explanation: This bet lands if Real Madrid are leading at half-time and go on to win the match.
Defensive concerns
Despite recording a number of poor results of late, Celta have performed better than recent scorelines suggest. This has particularly been the case when facing tough opposition, as Los Celestes play better in instances where they're not expected to take the initiative.
Moreover, Real Madrid have shipped a considerable number of goals over the past few weeks and regularly concede chances, which should result in the Galicians creating some positive situations in the final third.
Claudio Giráldez’s men are adept at exploiting spaces and counter-attacking high defensive lines, so are likely to have some joy against a Real Madrid outfit that loves to push forward and take risks. Even in recent defeats, Vigo have managed to create an abundance of goalscoring opportunities. Therefore, backing the visitors to have at least three shots on target feels like a relatively conservative bet.
Prediction: Celta Vigo to register over 2.5 Shots on Target: 1/2 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Celta Vigo register three or more shots on target
Goals galore
Real Madrid have averaged 2.08 goals per game in their last 12 home league matches, while their record against Celta is even more impressive. Los Blancos have struck 90 goals in their last 33 meetings with Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabéu. Few teams have scored as many against a specific opponent over the course of the last two decades.
Celta's recent record at the home of the 36-time La Liga champions suggests the hosts are likely to add to this considerable tally, with the Galicians losing in 12 of their last 13 visits to the Bernabéu. Furthermore, Real Madrid have scored a total of 17 goals in their last five head-to-head contests with Celta.
Prediction: Real Madrid to score Over 2.5 Goals: 5/6 (bet365)
Explanation: This bet lands if Real Madrid score three or more goals.
Real Madrid v Celta Vigo odds
Odds correct at time of publication and may change.
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Odds correct at time of publication and may change.