Cristiano Ronaldo Real Madrid Sevilla LaLiga 14052017Getty

Real Madrid Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Celta Vigo

Real Madrid can move top of the Primera Division and take a huge step towards claiming the title by beating Celta Vigo in the sides' rearranged fixture on Wednesday night.

Celta and Madrid were originally due to play on February 5, but the match was postponed due to storm damage at the Galicians' Balaidos stadium.

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With a shortage of dates available due to Madrid's progress in the Champions League and Celta's run in the Europa League, the game has had to wait until now and a victory for Los Blancos will see Zinedine Zidane's side move three points clear of Barcelona ahead of the last round of matches at the weekend.


REAL MADRID INJURIES


Gareth Bale is still sidelined with a calf problem, while Dani Carvajal is also out after suffering a hamstring injury in the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final win over Atletico.

James Rodriguez did not train on Tuesday because of a knock and misses out as well, while Pepe is not fit to return and may have played his last game for the club.

Dani Carvajal Real Madrid Atletico Madrid Champions LeagueGetty Images

REAL MADRID SUSPENSIONS


Nacho was set to miss out through suspension after picking up a booking against Sevilla on Saturday, but that yellow card was overturned on appeal and the defender can play in Vigo.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Carvajal (out injured anyway) and Isco are all just one yellow card away from a ban.

Nacho Fernandez Real Madrid

REAL MADRID POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


With just two games left in La Liga, plus the Champions League final early next month, Zinedine Zidane will look to pick his strongest side possible now in each remaining match.

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The Frenchman admitted on Tuesday that there is no longer any need to rest Cristiano Ronaldo as he has in recent weeks to keep the Portuguese fresh for the Champions League and the 32-year-old will start in Vigo.

Karim Benzema, Casemiro, Isco and Luka Modric should also return to the line-up after all four were on the bench for the 4-1 win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Likewise Marcelo, who was rested for that match.

Real Madrid possible Celta

CELTA TEAM NEWS


Celta Vigo reached the semi-finals of the Europa League this season, missing out to Manchester United last week despite a valiant 1-1 draw at Old Trafford, and also made it to the last four of the Copa del Rey.

Bale steps up recovery for CL final

Eduardo Berizzo's side have little left to play for in La Liga. With 44 points from their 36 games, the Galicians sit comfortably in mid-table and cannot reach the European positions.

However, there was ill feeling as Madrid pushed for February's fixture to be played despite damage to the stadium at Balaidos and Celta (who knocked Madrid out of the Copa) are expected to field a strong side for this match.

Nemanja Radoja is doubtful with an Achilles problem, but Berizzo has an otherwise fully fit squad at his disposal.

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BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Celta have lost their last five league games against Real Madrid, all since Berizzo joined Celta.

  • At Balaidos, the Galicians have only won one of their last nine league clashes with Real Madrid, 2-0 in May 2014 when Luis Enrique was their coach.

  • Celta are the only team to have beaten both Real Madrid and Barcelona this season (all competitions).

  • Berizzo’s side have lost their last five league games; if they lose this game, they will equal their worst streak under the Argentine coach (six games in January 2015).

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in nine of his 11 appeareances against Celta in all competitions (18 goals).


UK TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Celta versus Madrid kicks off at 21:00 CEST in Vigo and will be shown live from 19:45 UK time on Sky Sports Mix.

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