Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Real Madrid host Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday in their penultimate game of this La Liga season. Los Blancos have already surrendered the title to bitter rivals Barcelona and may have an eye on the upcoming UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool.
Celta are steady in 12th but were held at home by relegated Deportivo La Coruna last time out. Even so, manager Juan Carlos Unzue's team still has plenty of match-winners but will surely miss the craft of cerebral forward Iago Aspas.
Here are the schedule and viewing details before a preview and look at the team news:
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Date: Saturday, May 12
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST/2:45 p.m. ET
TV Info: Sky Sports Mix. beIN Sports.
Live Stream: Sky Go. beIN Sports CONNECT. fuboTV.
Real's biggest fitness concern undoubtedly involves star forward Cristiano Ronaldo. The prolific 33-year-old was recently withdrawn during the 2-2 draw with Barca in El Clasico with an apparent muscle problem.
Ronaldo missed Wednesday's 3-2 loss in Sevilla, but hopes to be back in time for the final league match against Villarreal on Saturday, May 19, per Marca.
The same source described the injury as "initial heavy bruising but there was no damage to any of the bones in his foot and he has improved quickly," while also noting "it is expected that Ronaldo will not be risked against Celta."
Being without their attacking talisman will put the onus on Real's other forwards to undermine a defence breached 52 times in 36 matches this season.
Centre-forward Karim Benzema has the power and technique to be a menace, while the eye for a pass of Marco Asensio, along with the pace of Lucas Vazquez, should keep Celta's back four busy.
The visitors may struggle to muster much of a threat without Aspas, who has scored 21 goals and provided five assists in all competitions. A hamstring issue is likely to keep the former Liverpool forward out, per The Sun's Joe Miles.
Gifted Denmark international winger Pione Sisto will need to carry the load in Aspas' absence.
Both teams will be hampered by missing their obvious danger man up top. However, Real have enough strength in depth in the final third to still win without too much fuss.
