Real Madrid is set to face Celta Vigo in a crucial La Liga match, as they aim to keep their title hopes alive after a recent defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final. With a seven-point gap between them and the top of the league, the pressure is on, especially with an upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti may be nearing the end of his tenure with Madrid, with a potential coaching change looming regardless of his discussions with the Brazil national team. Madrid faces significant defensive challenges due to injuries and suspensions, including key players like Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and David Alaba. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo is missing Carl Starfelt due to injury but has a strong squad, including the promising Fer Lopez, who impressed in a recent victory over Villarreal.

Real Madrid is under pressure to close the seven-point gap at the top of La Liga following their loss to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final, as the league represents their last chance for silverware this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's future with the club is uncertain, with talks of a potential coaching change and the possibility of him joining the Brazil national team, adding urgency to his efforts to secure another league title.

Injuries are a significant concern for Madrid, with key defensive players like Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and David Alaba all unavailable due to surgeries and suspensions, complicating their lineup for the run-in.

Kylian Mbappe is fit to start against Celta Vigo, providing a crucial boost for Madrid, while Eduardo Camavinga and Rodrygo are unavailable due to injury and illness, respectively.

Celta Vigo faces its own injury issues, with Carl Starfelt out due to a ruptured tendon, but they have a strong team ready, including Fer Lopez, who has been in good form, scoring in their recent win against Villarreal.

Real Madrid will attempt to keep La Liga's title race alive when they face Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Los Blancos suffered a demoralising defeat to Barcelona in the final of the Copa del Rey last week, meaning the league is their last chance to end the season with silverware to add to their UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup trophies.

Barca came from behind to beat bottom-of-the-table Valladolid on Saturday, meaning the gap at the summit is now seven points. El Clasico in Catalonia is up next on May 11, so Madrid know they cannot afford to let that gap grow this weekend.

Carlo Ancelotti could be facing the final few games of his second spell in charge, with a change of coach expected regardless of whether the Italian agrees a deal with the Brazil national team. He will be desperate to sustain Madrid's challenge for one more league title before he departs.

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Ancelotti has big problems in defence, not just for this game but for the duration of the run-in.

Antonio Rudiger, given a six-game ban for throwing an object towards the referee in the Copa final loss to Barcelona, has undergone knee surgery and is out of action anyway. Ferland Mendy has had an operation on a tendon problem, and David Alaba underwent a procedure on his left meniscus.

Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are also still sidelined, but Lucas Vazquez plays at right-back, his two-game ban for his off-the-field red card being restricted to Copa games.

Eduardo Camavinga has a groin injury and Rodrygo misses out through illness, but Kylian Mbappe is fit to start after coming off the bench in the cup final.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1, right to left): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Asencio, Tchouameni, Garcia — Valverde, Ceballos — Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe

Real Madrid subs: Lunin (GK), Mestre (GK), Modric, Endrick, Vallejo, Brahim, Youssef, Jacobo

Injured: Rudiger (knee), Mendy (thigh), Alaba (knee), Camavinga (groin), Rodrygo (illness), Carvajal (knee), Militao (knee)
Suspended: Rudiger

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Carl Starfelt had been close to returning for Celta after missing two league games with a hamstring injury, but he ruptured a tendon in training and will now miss the final games of the season.

Otherwise, Claudio Giraldez has a strong-looking squad at his disposal. Madrid-born youngster Fer Lopez makes starts, having scored his second La Liga goal in last weekend's impressive 3-0 win over Villarreal.

Celta Vigo lineup (3-4-3, right to left): Guaita (GK) — Lago, Javi Rodriguez, Alonso — Carreira, Sotelo, Beltran, Mingueza — Lopez, Iglesias, A. Gonzalez

Celta Vigo subs:Villar (GK), Moriba, Aspas, Cervi, Losada, Jailson, Duran, Swedbergh, Ristic, Alvarez, Dominguez, D. Rodriguez

Injured: Starfelt (thigh)
Suspended: None

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