Liga Preview: Real Madrid v Celta Vigo
Every game is vital for Real Madrid now and they can ill afford to slip up in any of their three remaining fixtures starting with Celta Vigo on Saturday night.
Every game is vital for Real Madrid now and they can ill afford to slip up in any of their three remaining fixtures starting with Celta Vigo on Saturday night.
Last season winning the Champions League overshadowed the club's failure to recoup the Spanihs title they picked up in 2001, but after losing out in Europe this term all eyes are on the domestic front.
With just one point separating Vicente Del Bosque's side from leaders Real Sociedad the destination of the championship is likely to go down to the final day.
Madrid meet Celta this weekend then have to take on Atletico Madrid in El Calderon before playing Athletic Bilbao in the last match.
Any points dropped now could well see them lose ground to La Real and the pressure is on the team now dubbed los Galacticos.
Vigo are in fine form and will not fear a trip to the Bernabeu as they continue their battle with Valencia for a place in next season's Champions League.
For the trip to the Spanish capital coach Miguel Angel Lotina has come up with a new strategy in a bid to thwart Raul and Ronaldo.
He is set to use a sweeper system with two wingers playing wide to prevent Madrid from supplying the ammunition for the home side's front pair.
RECENT FORM GUIDE
Real Madrid: Last Six Matches - LWDLWW
After being on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline against Mallorca, Del Bosque's outfit drew with Recreativo beore beating Malaga and Valencia to keep pace with Real Sociedad at the top. But the defeat against Juventus still runs deep and could well have cost the Madrid coach his job as the club have confirmed that contract talks have been put on hold.
Celta Vigo: Last Six Matches - WDDDLW
Celta have only won one in their last five matches, but still lie one point above Valencia in fourth place. Three consecutive draws was followed by a 5-0 thrashing at Villarreal after the Galicians had been reduced to nine men early on. But last weekend they bounced back to beat Deportivo La Coruna 3-0 in the local derby, a result which virtually put paid to the Riazor team's title hopes.
LATEST TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid: The only player missing from the Madrid squad is Guti, who is sidelined through suspension. Fernando Hierro has been declared fit after suffering from a bou of gastroentiritis, while Claude Makelele will step in for Guti after recovering from a knock.
Celta Vigo: Juan Velasco and Juanfran will move inside to play with Fernando Caceres in the centre of defence leving Angel Lopez and Sylvinho to occupy the wingback positions. Lotina has made the move after Eduardi Berizzo and Sergio Fernandez were ruled out. Mido misses out after pulling a muscle.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Real Madrid: (4-4-2) Casillas, Michel Salgado, Hierro, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Conceicao, Makelele, Figo, Raul, Zidane, Ronaldo.
Celta Vigo: (4-4-2) Cavallero, Angel, Velasco, Caceres, Juanfran, Sylvinho, Luccin, Jose Ignacio, Mostovoi, Gustavo Lopez, Edu.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid): The Frenchman has had an impressive season, but now is when Madrid need him most. His matchwinning ability could either make or break the club's title hopes because when he plays well, Madrid play well.
Alexander Mostovoi (Celta Vigo): His ability and tenacity could unhinge the home side and he will need to produce a captain's performance if Celta are to take anything from the game.