MATCH PREVIEW
Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo in match day 28 of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Los Blancos are having a horrid time in the current season, as they crashed out of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League in the space of a week, which is why Santiago Solari faced a sack and was replaced by former manager Zinendine Zidane. The former France World Cup winner will re-join the club with a reputation of a winner after Madrid won three consecutive Champions League titles under his watch.
However, team's recent slump shows that Zidane's work will be extremely difficult this time around, as he will be taking charge of a team that have managed to win just two of their last six matches while losing the other four. The challenge becomes even more difficult considering the fact that Los Blancos will be without one of their star performers – young Vinicius Junior – who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.
On the other hand, the game will be an important one for Celta Vigo, who are currently 18th in the table, just two points out of safety. Therefore, the Celestes will need nothing less than a positive result. However, Fran Escriba's men – just like the home side – are also facing a tough time, as they have just managed to win one out of their last six matches in all competitions, along with four defeats in
MATCH PREVIEW
Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo in match day 28 of La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Los Blancos are having a horrid time in the current season, as they crashed out of the Copa del Rey and UEFA Champions League in the space of a week, which is why Santiago Solari faced a sack and was replaced by former manager Zinendine Zidane. The former France World Cup winner will re-join the club with a reputation of a winner after Madrid won three consecutive Champions League titles under his watch.
However, team's recent slump shows that Zidane's work will be extremely difficult this time around, as he will be taking charge of a team that have managed to win just two of their last six matches while losing the other four. The challenge becomes even more difficult considering the fact that Los Blancos will be without one of their star performers – young Vinicius Junior – who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an injury.
On the other hand, the game will be an important one for Celta Vigo, who are currently 18th in the table, just two points out of safety. Therefore, the Celestes will need nothing less than a positive result. However, Fran Escriba's men – just like the home side – are also facing a tough time, as they have just managed to win one out of their last six matches in all competitions, along with four defeats in that run.
Both teams have faced each other 31 times before in the league competition, with Madrid winning 20 versus Velta's seven. However, last five contests between both teams have been pretty close, where Real managed to win two and Celta Vigo one.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Real Madrid: Navas, Marcelo, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Ceballos, Modric, Kroos, Isco, Asensio, Benzema
Celta Vigo: Blanco, Mallo, Araujo, Costas, Hoedt, Junca, Lobotka, Yokuslu, Mendez, Boufal, Gomez
COMBINED XI
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ruben Blanco has been solid this season, posting four clean sheets in 14 appearances. He was particularly good in their most recent match, conceding just one goal but making three crucial saves. With the team in desperate need of a positive result against Real Madrid, manager Fran Escriba will be hoping his no. 1 will produce another solid display.
Luka Modric is widely termed as the best in the world in his position, but in the ongoing campaign, the Croatian international is having a hard time to say the least. But even then, the 33-year-old is the leading assist provider for the side, and with Zidane returning, the current Ballon d'Or winner will be hoping to return to full form and contribute.
Karim Benzema is showing his true colours in front of goal, as he is the leading goal scorer for the team with 13 goals in the league campaign. In Los Blancos' previous match against Real Valladolid, Benzema was the star performer once again with two goals and an assist. Therefore, Celta Vigo will have to find a way to stop the 31-year-old if they are to secure a positive result.
Captain pick: Karim Benzema
Vice-captain pick: Luka Modric
