Real Madrid’s confident response after recent shaky performances?

Can Real Madrid get back on track and find an answer to their poor performance in the Champions League during the week? Despite a less than convincing performance, it was just enough to progress, but fans, the press and the team all agree: an improvement in performance is urgently needed. This should happen this weekend, when Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu in front of their home crowd. Earlier on Sunday evening (18:30), the league leaders host Celta Vigo.

An improved performance, a convincing display and, of course, three points – that is the Whites’ clear objective. The odds for Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo from betting providers with a German license clearly indicate that this will work against the Galician relegation candidates. The role of the favorites has of course been clearly established in advance

However, in view of the Whites’ recent performances – not just against Leipzig on Wednesday – Celta Vigo will certainly be hoping to take something tangible away from the Bernabeu. In this Real Madrid vs Celta Vigo preview, we look at what could give Celta hope of winning a point, the form of both teams and which tips are recommended for this match and could offer good value, including betting odds, predictions and team checks for both clubs

Real Madrid – Statistics & current form

“Lousy soccer”, a “cramped team” and “slow, imprecise administrative soccer” were the verdicts of the Madrid press after Real Madrid’s 1:1 draw against RB Leipzig. By the skin of their teeth and a good dose of luck, the madridistas advanced to the quarter-finals of the Champions League against a brave Leipzig side, but their performance was far from convincing. It was not Real Madrid’s first lacklustre performance; in recent weeks they have often played sluggishly, slowly and predictably

Real Madrid sluggish and sluggish recently – also against Celta Vigo?

After all, the performance in Leipzig in the first leg was anything but convincing. The draw against Leipzig was also the fourth draw in the last seven games. Real Madrid only managed a (controversial) 2-2 draw in Valencia on the previous matchday, even trailing 2-0. Bellingham’s late winner in stoppage time did not count due to the controversial final whistle, and to make matters worse, Bellingham was shown red for his protests and will now miss two games.

However, Real Madrid lacked spirit and concentration not only in Valencia, but also in the 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano on matchday 25. A certain tiredness and sluggishness has crept into Ancelotti’s team all too often of late – will Celta Vigo benefit from this, or will there be a confident response from Real after their recent shaky performances? If you believe in the latter, you can get odds of 1.80 on a handicap win for the Blancos in Real Madrid v Celta Vigo.

Even if the team’s recent performances and impressions have not been the best: Real Madrid are still unbeaten at home, winning eleven of their 13 home games – and conceding just seven goals in the process. No team has conceded fewer goals at home in La Liga than Real Madrid. Despite Madrid’s recent sluggishness, the role of favorites is clear. Betting on the home side in Real Madrid v Celta Vigo – in whatever constellation – is the most obvious outcome.

Predicted Real Madrid line-up:

Celta Vigo – Statistics & current form

Celta Vigo’s nerves were first strained and then calmed. In two games in a row, there were low blows at literally the last second. In the 2-1 defeat against Barcelona on matchday 25, Celta conceded a penalty in stoppage time, which led to defeat. The goal conceded a week later was even more bitter. In the relegation duel against FC Cadiz, who are one place behind Celta, the Galicians were on the verge of a big point. Celta led 2-1 going into stoppage time, but Cadiz scored a dream goal in the very last action of the game to make it 2-2

Celta Vigo recover well from two bitter blows

Two stoppage times, two goals conceded and a total of three points given away in the relegation battle were the result – but Celta shook off these two bitter blows last weekend and narrowly won 1-0 against Almeria, a liberation could be felt at the Balaidos, the nerves had been very tense. Celta are now in 17th place in the relegation battle and have built up a small cushion of five points over their closest rivals Cadiz.

Instead of three games without defeat and two wins in a row, there was only one three-pointer to celebrate, and even if there were only seconds to spare on two occasions, a small upward trend was still evident. That also applies to scoring, as Celta have scored in their last five games – the first time this season that they have been so prolific over this period.

Given the recent stability in their performances coupled with their accuracy, it may be worth betting that Celta Vigo will score at the Bernabeu in Real Madrid v Celta Vigo. The odds of the bookmakers for this bet usually settle at 1.75.

But will it be enough to score more than one goal against the favorites? Celta’s only two away wins this season are not quite as promising in this respect. And their recent record in head-to-head matches also gives the team from Vigo little hope…

Predicted line-up of Celta Vigo:

Real Madrid – Celta Vigo head-to-head comparison / H2H result

As a look at the H2H record shows: The last duels were always a clear-cut affair. Real Madrid have won seven in a row and have not lost in their last 15 matches, with only three draws.

Celta’s last victory dates back to the 2016/17 season, in the Copa del Rey. The last league success was even longer ago, with the Galicians last winning in May 2014. The record at the Bernabeu speaks for itself: 63 games have been played here, with Real winning 50 times, while Celta have only won seven and drawn six

Real Madrid – Celta Vigo betting tip

The historical record naturally speaks in favor of the home side, as does their home record this season and Celta’s not exactly fearsome record on their opponents’ pitch. And yet the visitors should expect something at the Bernabeu in view of the league leaders’ recent, more often than not, pedestrian performances

It is doubtful, however, that they will be able to pick up a point – Real Madrid were not only sharply criticized in the Spanish media for their performance against Leipzig, but the team was also self-critical after their quarter-final exit. We therefore believe much more in a reaction rather than the next limp performance. As Real have been vulnerable of late – conceding goals in ten of their last 14 competitive games – and Celta have scored five times in a row, our prediction for Real Madrid v Celta Vigo is: Real Madrid win and both teams score