Real Madrid head to the Estadio Municipal de Balaídos on Sunday knowing that if they drop points they are out of the title race. However, their fate is not in their hands: if Atlético Madrid beat Málaga, it will mean their rivals will be too far ahead to catch them.
Real will hope to have Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo back from injury, after the forward sustained a knock in Wednesday's disappointing draw against Real Valladolid. The Portuguese international was substituted after nine minutes, the first time he has ever been taken off before half-time whilst playing for Real Madrid. "He wasn't in pain and wasn't complaining of a muscle sprain," Ancelotti said regarding Ronaldo.
In that game, Sergio Ramos scored his 36th for the club, seemingly carrying on his goalscoring streak after his double against Bayern Munich earlier, making it five goals in four games for the defender. His usual partner in defence, Pepe, will miss out through a calf injury.
A victory against Celta will be far from simple, however, with the hosts on a three-game winning streak. They beat Osasuna last week, and convincingly beat the team Real slipped up against in midweek - Valladolid - with a goal from Charles, a brace from key man Nolito and an own goal from Stefan Mitrovic.
Another key man for Celta will be youngster Rafinha, on-loan from Barcelona, who could provide the spark to unlock the Real defence. If he does, he will receive the plaudits of his parent club when he returns next season.
Last time these two clubs met, a spirited Celta held Real for sixty minutes, before Karim Benzema finally broke through, then Ronaldo added two more. Celta have improved since their last campaign though, this time around they are comfortably mid-table, whereas last year they were battling relegation and managed to survive by a solitary point. They may well stick with goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez instead of first choice Yoel, after the former made his debut against Osasuna in a 2-0 victory.
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