Celta has won nine, drawn nine, and lost 11 of its 29 La Liga matches this season for a total of 36 points, putting them in 11th position in the table, two points behind Osasuna.
The Sky Blues finished eighth in Spain’s top division last season after two consecutive 17th-place finishes, and they are just five points behind eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao at this point, so it’s not difficult to see them repeating their success this season.
Celta have only won one of their past six league games, losing at Villarreal and drawing at home against Real Betis in the last two.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, lost 4-0 at home to Barcelona before the international break, sending shockwaves across European football.
Los Blancos, on the other hand, had been on a four-game winning streak in the league before to El Clasico, and they had plenty of credit in the bank, which could help them win the league this season.
Despite the loss to Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s team is nine points clear of second-placed Sevilla and 12 points clear of third-placed Barcelona, and it would be a major collapse if they lost first place at the conclusion of the season.
Hugo Mallo will be out this weekend due to a knee injury, but Javi Galan and Franco Cervi are back in the lineup after bans and could start.
There aren’t anticipated to be any major shocks in the home side’s starting lineup this weekend, with Santi Mina and Iago Aspas leading the line, while Brais Mendez is set to keep his place.
Due to Mallo’s absence, Jeison Murillo may be forced into action at right-back, although Fran Beltran should maintain Renato Tapia in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard is out due to a recent leg operation, although Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema are both expected to be fine after recent troubles.
Los Blancos will be missing Isco and Luka Jovic owing to recent injuries, while Toni Kroos had been a concern after being out this week due to sickness, but he has been included in the squad.
Ancelotti, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, is unlikely to be on the bench, but the Italian will be trying to recuperate in time for the Chelsea encounter, and he will have one eye on the European competition.