Preview: Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

Real Madrid will attempt to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey when they welcome Celta Vigo to the Spanish capital on Wednesday.

Celta picked up a 2-1 victory in the first leg on December 12, but Jose Mourinho's side are still considered the favourites to advance to the next stage of the competition.

Madrid's disappointing opening half to the La Liga season has left them in third spot in the table, while they have won just two of their last five matches in all competitions.

Celta are on a similar run of form, but did pick up a morale-boosting victory over Real Valladolid at the weekend in order to move them away from the relegation zone in Spain's top division.

Recent history does slightly favour the home side with Madrid winning three of the last five meetings between the two teams, however, all but one of those matches were won by the odd goal.

Madrid are expected to name their strongest available team, although Luka Modric and fit-again Gonzalo Higuain are both pushing for recalls. Celta, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns and will once more look to star man Iago Aspas to lead their line.

Recent form:

Real Madrid: WLDLW
Celta Vigo: LWLLW

Possible lineups:

Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa, Carvalho, Varane, Essien; Modric, Khedira, Alonso; Benzema, Ronaldo, Higuain

Celta Vigo: Sergio; Mallo, Arceo, Cabral, Lago; Oubina, Krohn-Dehli, Fernandez, Bermejo; Aspas, Park

Sports Mole says: 3-0

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