Real Madrid – Celta Vigo

After a heartbreaking defeat in the Supercopa de Espana final, Real Madrid face Celta Vigo in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had enjoyed a productive start to the new year, but another emphatic defeat at the hands of Clasico rivals, Barcelona opened the door for another interrogation in the Spanish capital.

The rarely spontaneous Italian manager was a a bit sticky afterwardsand could do with a midweek bounce-back triumph before Los Blancos take on Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Madrid didn’t need to get out of first gear in the round of 32 of this competition as they demolished minnows Deportivo Minera 5-0 ten days ago.

Celta had to overcome promoted Real Santander 3-2 to set up Thursday’s tie. The visitors have developed into a far more interesting tactical unit following the dismissal of Rafa Benitez and are on course for a comfortable mid-table finish. The League under the promising coach Claudio Giraldez.

They are three-time Copa del Rey finalists but have never won the competition.

Here it is 90 minutes guide to Thursday’s Copa del Rey clash.

Real Madrid – Celta Vigo H2H Record (Last Five Matches)

Current form (all competitions)

Ancelotti paid because he left his central axis on one of its islands Spanish Super Cup Finalwith Madrid’s front four failing to fire with the exception of Kylian Mbappe.

The boss will make changes on Thursday night ahead of this weekend’s La Liga clash with Las Palmas. Mbappe could retain his place up top but will likely be joined by Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz in attack. Vini Jr is available but suspended in La Liga, so the start makes sense here.

Luka Modric and Dani Ceballos are vying for starts in the middle of the park, with Eduardo Caravinga suffering from illness and Federico Valverde needing a rest.

The hosts remain without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Ender Militao.

Real Madrid predicted line-up against Celta Vigo (4-2-3-1): Moon? Vazquez, Asensio, Rudiger, Garcia? Ceballos, Modric? Guler, Diaz, Vinicius Jr; Bape.

Celta have an outside chance of challenging for European football this season, but they have no reason not to prioritize this game at the Bernabeu. Valuable coach Claudio Gonzalez will need to select as strong a squad as possible in the Spanish capital.

The visitors are unable to call on veteran skipper Iago Aspas, who is currently sidelined with a muscle injury. Marcos Alonso, once Barcelonais missing with an ankle injury and will not be able to play at the weekend after being sent off in La Liga last weekend.

Alfon Gonzalez is out for a few weeks, but Mihailo Ristic and Javier Rodriguez are both available.

Celta Vigo predicted line-up against Real Madrid (3-4-3): Villar? Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Cervi? Duran, Baba, Iglesias.

Madrid were awful in the Supercopa final, with Ancelotti’s regular blunders starting to cause concern. Rotation will need to freshen up the squad but will face an enterprising Celta Vigo side capable of causing an upset.

The Giraldez visitors are fearless bunch and will take Thursday’s tie to their vulnerable hosts. However, their willingness to play should open the door for Vini Jr and Mbappe.

This could be an uncomfortable night for Madrid, but we’ll be backing Ancelotti’s men to bounce back.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Celta Vigo

READ THE LATEST LA LIGA NEWS, RUMORS & GOSSIP