Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo: Mbappe chases Ronaldo‘s record as Los Blancos seek vital win
Table of Contents
Who: Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
What: Spain’s La Liga
Where: Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain
When: Sunday, December 7, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the buildup on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.
Real Madrid will seek only a second top-flight win in five matches when they entertain Celta Vigo in La Liga on Sunday, an achievement that would see them close the gap on league leaders Barcelona to one point.
It should be a match that sees the record Spanish domestic league winners enter as heavy favourites, but their form of late has allowed Barcelona to leap to the top of the table, while opening up questions about their coach, Xabi Alonso.
Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at a game where Celta’s impressive away record this season could see them cause an upset,but much of the focus will also be on Real’s free-scoring forward,Kylian Mbappe.
Why has Mbappe been compared with Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo?
french superstar Mbappe is close to making history at Real Madrid, like his idol Cristiano Ronaldo, said his coach, Xabi Alonso, on Saturday.
After finishing last season in top form and starting the current campaign superbly, Mbappe has netted 55 goals with Real Madrid in 2025, and is just four away from matching the record of 59 set in 2013 by Ronaldo, as the club’s top scorer in a calendar year.
Mbappe has been increasingly compared with the all-time top Madrid goalscorer,Ronaldo,by the Spanish press for his growing influence and ability to rack up goals.
“kylian is on his way to making history at Real Madrid like Cristiano did. Not just because of the importance he has in the team, but also because of the ambition he conveys and the number of goals he scores,” Alonso told a news conference.
“Kylian is one of the chosen ones. He has this desire within him not just to do things well, but also to have a positive influence on others. This is something he shares with Cristiano – this contagious ambition that inspires the rest of the team.”
What are Mbappe’s stats at real Madrid?
Winning the European Golden shoe and La Liga’s top scorer award last season with 31 goals, mbappe is currently operating at an even higher level, with 16 goals scored in 15 matches played, and nine in five Champions League games.
Real Madrid face Erling Haaland’s Manchester City in the champions League on December 10, before league games against Alaves and Sevilla, giving Mbappe four matches to catch Ronaldo, who Mbappe admits he had posters of on his wall as a child.
Portugal international Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid, with Mbappe on 69 goals in 79 games since joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
What happened in Real Madrid’s last match?
Real’s 3-0 win in La Liga at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday was seen as one of their most impressive displays of the season, easing some of the pressure on alonso.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo: La Liga Preview, Team News & Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid will look to maintain their strong La Liga form when they host Celta Vigo at the santiago Bernabéu on sunday, December 7th, 2024. While Real Madrid currently sits atop the league table, Celta Vigo are battling to climb out of the relegation zone, making this a crucial match for both sides. This preview will cover recent form, head-to-head records, team news, and predicted lineups.
Current Form
Real Madrid are enjoying a triumphant season thus far, demonstrating their strength both domestically and in the Champions League. They have been particularly impressive on their travels, winning three, drawing two, and losing only one league game away from home.However, their home form has been surprisingly inconsistent, with no wins in the current La Liga campaign – a statistic they will be eager to rectify against celta Vigo. Real Madrid La Liga Standings
Celta Vigo, conversely, are facing a challenging season. They currently find themselves in a precarious position near the bottom of the table. A recent Copa del Rey win on penalties against Sant Andreu will provide a morale boost, but league form remains a notable concern.Celta Vigo La Liga Standings
Head-to-Head: Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo
Historically, Real Madrid has dominated this fixture. In 58 meetings,Real Madrid has won 39 times,while Celta Vigo has secured 12 victories. Soccerway – Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo
Remarkably, Real Madrid is currently on a 19-match unbeaten streak against Celta Vigo, winning 16 of those encounters. this impressive record will undoubtedly weigh on Celta’s minds as they travel to the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid are dealing with several injury concerns. Dani Carvajal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Ferland Mendy are all sidelined with injuries. Dean Huijsen and David Alaba also remain unavailable. Eduardo Camavinga is a doubt due to an ankle knock but has been included in the squad. Real Madrid Official Website – Injury Report
Celta Vigo Team News
Celta Vigo have injury doubts surrounding Joseph Aidoo and Mihailo Ristic. Though, they will be boosted by the return of leading scorer Borja Iglesias, who has eight La Liga goals this season, along with other players who featured in the Copa del Rey win. Marca – Celta Vigo News
Real Madrid’s predicted Starting Lineup
Based on available details and recent team selections, the predicted Real Madrid starting lineup is:
* Goalkeeper: Courtois
* Defenders: Asencio, Militao, Rudiger, Carreras
* Midfielders: Guler, Valverde, Tchouameni
* Forwards: Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe
celta Vigo Predicted Starting Lineup
The predicted Celta Vigo starting lineup is:
* Goalkeeper: Radu
* Defenders: Alonso, Starfelt, J Rodriguez, Rueda
* Midfielders: D Rodriguez, Moriba, Carreira
* Forwards: Zaragoza, Iglesias, Aspas
Key Takeaways
* Real Madrid is heavily favored based on historical performance and current league standings.
* Celta Vigo’s away form is a major concern, and they will need a significant performance to secure a positive result.
* Injuries are impacting both squads, but Real Madrid’s depth may give them an advantage.
* Borja Iglesias’ return is a boost for Celta Vigo, but stopping Real Madrid’s potent attack will be their biggest challenge.
Looking Ahead
This match presents a good opportunity for Real Madrid to finally secure a La Liga win at the Santiago Bernabéu. however, Celta Vigo’s need for points could make them a perilous opponent. The game promises to be an exciting encounter with plenty at stake for both teams.
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