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

Real Madrid return to the scene of their recent Copa del Rey elimination as they travel to Celta Vigo in the Primera Division on Sunday.

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Zinedine Zidane's side were knocked out at the quarter-final stage after being held to a 2-2 draw at Balaidos late last month, but Los Blancos will look to claim all three points in this Liga encounter as Celta find themselves in the middle of their two Copa del Rey semi-final matches against Alaves.

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While Madrid had a rare week off after beating Real Sociedad in La Liga last Saturday, Celta drew 0-0 at home to Alaves at Balaidos in the sides' semi-final first leg on Thursday night, with the return match to come next Thursday.


REAL MADRID INJURIES


Gareth Bale is back in training for Real Madrid, but the Welsh winger is not yet ready to return after a long spell on the sidelines and is being primed for a comeback in the Champions League clash against Napoli later this month.

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Pepe and James Rodriguez are fit again and could feature for the league leaders on Sunday, but Marcelo and Luka Modric look likely to miss out along with Dani Carvajal.

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REAL MADRID SUSPENSIONS


Toni Kroos misses the match through suspension after picking up a booking in the game against Real Sociedad last weekend.


REAL MADRID POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP


Alvaro Morata and Lucas Vazquez could both start for Real Madrid at Celta Vigo on Sunday as Los Blancos look to maintain their advantage at the top of the table.

The Spain striker impressed and scored after coming off the bench in the 3-0 win at home to Real Sociedad last weekend, while the Galician winger was bright after he was brought on in the 2-2 draw at Celta recently as Zinedine Zidane's side were knocked out of the Copa del Rey.

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Luka Modric could be back from injury in midfield, but Isco is likely to feature if the Croatian is not ready, while Zidane can also call upon the fit-again James Rodriguez as Toni Kroos misses out through suspension.

Danilo should start again at right-back despite scoring an own goal in the sides' recent Copa clash.

Madrid possible line-up CeltaGoal

CELTA TEAM NEWS


Celta Vigo knocked Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey recently, but this Liga fixture may represent something of a distraction for the Galician side as it comes right in the middle of their cup semi-final series against Alaves.

Eduardo Berizzo's side drew 0-0 at home to the Basque outfit on Thursday, with the return leg to follow exactly a week later.

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Celta are currently eighth in La Liga with 30 points from their 20 matches and Berizzo has a strong squad available, with Claudio Beauvue and Ruben Blanco the only absentees through injury.

Midfielder Fabian Orellana left to join Valencia before the close of the transfer window after a disciplinary problem in January.

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BEST OPTA MATCH FACTS


  • Celta have lost their last five league games against Real Madrid, all of them under Eduardo Berizzo.

  • The Galicians have won seven of their last eight La Liga games at home, losing only against Sevilla (0-3), and they are the only side to have beaten both Real Madrid and Barcelona this season.

  • Real Madrid have scored more goals from set pieces than any other La Liga side this season (15).

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in six out of his seven games against Celta Vigo in La Liga (13 goals).


TV COVERAGE & KICK-OFF TIME


Celta Vigo versus Real Madrid kicks off at 20:45 CET on Sunday at Balaidos and the game will be televised live on Sky Sports 1 from 19:30 GMT.

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