It has been a really entertaining week for all madridistas: the return of Jesé, the Asensio deal and the rumours regarding Lucas Silva and Martin Ödegaard have kept us busy since last Saturday. However, seeing our players in action is what we enjoy the most, and the league is back tomorrow to give us such an entertainment.
Los Blancos, top of the table with a two-point advantage over Barcelona and a four-point one over Atlético de Madrid, receive Celta de Vigo, currently 8th, who have been one of the most surprising teams in the first third of the season (they even beat Barça just a week after el Clásico) but are right now in a negative streak after having lost their last three games.
As Ancelotti stated, it will not be an easy game, since Celta always play with great intensity. There are not any noteworthy absences in their squad list, although the Fabián Orellana's participation is not guaranteed, as he is still recovering from a collar bone sprain.
There will not be any surprises in Real Madrid's lineup, as Ancelotti pretty much cleared up the only reasonable doubt by stating that Illarramendi would take the spot left by Isco, who is suspended for this game. Khedira, not fully recovered from his concussion yet, and Jesé, who is still getting in shape, did not make it into the squad list.
This is the second-to-last league game in the year for Real Madrid, who will see their match against Sevilla postponed until February due to their participation in the Club World Cup. A couple of victories in those games seem essential to guarantee the team's stability before their trip to Marrakech.
Match information
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TV Information: Canal + 1 (Spain), Sky Sports 5 (UK), beIN Sports USA (USA), others.
Projected lineup: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Illarramendi, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo.
Prediction: Real Madrid 3-0 Celta de Vigo (a goal by Ronaldo and a brace by Bale).