Real Madrid is set to face Celta Vigo in a critical La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu. This match will take place on Sunday, December 7, at 9 PM local time (20:00 GMT). As the match approaches, fans can enjoy pre-match coverage on El-Balad starting from 5 PM GMT.
Match Preview: Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
Real Madrid enters this match seeking their second win in five league games. A victory would reduce the gap to league leaders FC Barcelona to just one point. Despite their status as heavy favorites, Real’s recent performance has raised concerns regarding their consistency and head coach, Xabi Alonso.
Kylian Mbappe: A Star in the Spotlight
Much of the attention will be on Kylian Mbappe, who has made headlines this season. The French forward has scored a remarkable 55 goals for Real Madrid in 2025, just four away from equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals in a calendar year.
Alonso remarked on Mbappe’s potential to create history similar to that of the legendary Ronaldo. He emphasized the Frenchman’s ambition and influence on the team, likening it to Ronaldo’s iconic impact during his time in Madrid.
Real Madrid’s Recent Form
- Last match: 3-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.
- Mbappe scored two goals in this match, contributing significantly to the team’s morale.
- Overall, Real Madrid has won 13 out of their opening 14 games but has struggled with only two victories in their past six matches.
Celta Vigo’s Performance Overview
Celta Vigo has experienced a tumultuous season. They recently ended an eight-match unbeaten streak, which included six wins. However, they’ve faced three losses in their last four games.
- Celta’s away record stands strong with three wins, two draws, and one loss.
- Their first league win of the season came after several draws, with notable victories including a 3-2 win against Osasuna.
Head-to-Head Statistics
The upcoming match represents the 58th encounter between these two teams. Real Madrid has historically dominated this rivalry, boasting 39 wins compared to Celta Vigo’s 12 victories.
- Real Madrid is unbeaten in their last 19 meetings with Celta, winning 16 of those matches.
- The last time Celta defeated Real in La Liga was in 2014, marking an extended period of dominance for Los Blancos.
Team News
Real Madrid
- Missing players: Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy due to injuries.
- Eduardo Camavinga is a doubt with an ankle injury but has been named in the squad.
Celta Vigo
- Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic are also listed as injury doubts.
- Top scorer Borja Iglesias, who has eight goals this season, leads the team following a recent Copa del Rey win.
Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid’s Starting XI
- Thibaut Courtois
- Marco Asensio
- Éder Militão
- Antonio Rüdiger
- Carreras
- Arda Güler
- Federico Valverde
- Aurélien Tchouaméni
- Jude Bellingham
- Vinícius Júnior
- Kylian Mbappe
Celta Vigo’s Starting XI
- Raúl Radu
- Marcos Alonso
- Swedish Starfelt
- José Rodriguez
- Rueda
- Denis Rodriguez
- Mohamed Moriba
- Carreira
- Zaragoza
- Borja Iglesias
- Célico Aspas
This La Liga matchup is crucial for both teams, with Real Madrid aiming to regain winning momentum, while Celta Vigo looks to turn their recent form around. Fans can look forward to an exciting clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
