Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

The early months of the new year in Spain often leads to considerable rotation with six consecutive weeks of midweek Copa del Rey action. If there was a bright side to Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey exit to Celta last month, it should present itself here. Los Blancos ought to be refreshed having had a rare week off, while their opponents are likely to rest players ahead of their Semi-Final 2nd leg on Wednesday, which makes one of the biggest remaining obstacles to Real Madrid’s title pursuit considerably easier and an away win looks the probable outcome.

Celta were frustrated into a 0-0 draw in their home Copa del Rey Semi-Final 1st Leg against Alaves on Thursday night. Having never won a major trophy, they are desperate to reach the final and they will need a big performance in Vitoria on Wednesday now to make it. Given that Eduardo Berizzo is expected to rotate heavily here, they aren’t likely to pose Real Madrid as many problems as they did in the two meetings last month.

The Galicians have been a bit of a strange side this term. They’ve put in some excellent displays but have also looked distinctly average at times. Vigo is known as a tough place to go but Sevilla won 3-0 here in the league last month and two other sides have also won league games at Balaidos this term, with Atleti 4-0 winners at the ground earlier in the campaign. Celta aren’t great at the back, even at full strength, with 1.65 goals per game conceded so far in La Liga, which suggests Real Madrid will create many opportunities.

Los Blancos should be boosted by the return of Luca Modric, who is a key creative influence for them. With Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic, who was excellent last weekend, alongside him, Real Madrid have good defensive protection in midfield and should be able to limit Celta’s threat. With a tough home game against Real Sociedad last Sunday and Real Madrid not in great form, many thought they would slip up but they put in an assured display and extended their lead at the top rather than see it shrink.

As a result they should take some real momentum into this game. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brilliant free-kick here last month and has netted 8 goals in his last 8 appearances so is in pretty good form. Against what should be a much-changed Celta side, he ought to be a huge threat here and backing Ronaldo to score 2 or more goals at 21/10 looks to offer value.

It’s a big ask to expect Celta to rest players and still get a result against the European champions and given that, backing Real Madrid -1.0 Asian Handicap at 13/20 looks to offer value.