Real Madrid continue their bid to catch leaders Barcelona when they take on Celta Vigo on Sunday evening.

As the visitors look to boost their title hopes, the pressure is on Celta to collect more points as they aim to clinch a top-half finish in La Liga.

Celta Vigo

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Although causing a shock by finishing in the top six no longer seems to be a realistic possibility, Celta will still be desperate to finish the campaign strongly after impressing for long spells.

Many tipped the side to struggle after Luis Enrique left to take over Barcelona, but the current squad are on course to match the ninth-place finish under the guidance of Eduardo Berizzo.

However, a top-half finish is not a certainty with six games remaining, and the concern will surely be that a poor run of results could see them drop down to 12th spot in the table.

Recent performances suggest that Berizzo's side are not ready to let the campaign finish disappointingly, though, and they followed an emphatic triumph over Rayo Vallecano by edging out Eibar last weekend.

A tricky run-in includes meetings with Malaga, Sevilla, Valencia and Espanyol after Sunday's clash with the European champions, and Celta may need to cause an upset or two to secure the top-half finish.

Recent form: LWLDWW

Real Madrid

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Carlo Ancelotti will have no problems preparing his side for a return to La Liga action after a successful week saw them clinch a spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League with victory over fierce rivals Atletico Madrid.

Injuries forced the defending champions into a tough position prior to the second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, but patience proved to be the key as a late Javier Hernandez goal set up a semi-final clash with Juventus.

For now, the defence of that title will be put to the back of Ancelotti's mind as he looks to produce an impressive run of form late in the campaign to catch leaders Barcelona.

With six games remaining in the season Barcelona hold a two-point advantage at the top of the table, but their form has suggested that a slip-up is unlikely and Real could be faced with the disappointment that six more victories will not be enough to clinch the title.

However, Ancelotti will be fully aware that an upset is not impossible, and he will be keen to apply as much pressure as possible by extending their winning run in the league to five matches.

Improving the away form is vital in the closing stages of the campaign after losing three of their last six games on the road, but the squad should take confidence from the fact that they have won every game after playing in the Champions League this season.

Recent form: WLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDWW

Team News

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Real still have concerns over a number of key players, and they are likely to be without both Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, who could be available for next weekend's meeting with Sevilla.

Karim Benzema also missed the midweek win over Atletico, and doubts remain over whether the Frenchman will be fit enough to return, which could mean another opportunity for Hernandez.

However, Marcelo will be back after serving a suspension in the Champions League, and he is likely to come in as a replacement for Fabio Coentrao.

Berizzo is unlikely to make changes to his side as they search for a third successive win, and Santi Mina is once again expected to start in an attack-minded side which should include Nolito, who scored the winner from the spot against Eibar.

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Sergio; Mallo, Cabral, Fontas, Jonny; Augusto, Krohn-Dehli; Orellana, Mina, Nolito; Larrivey

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Kroos, James, Isco; Ronaldo, Hernandez

Head To Head

Cristiano Ronaldo stole the show with a hat-trick in the reverse fixture as Real cruised to a 3-0 victory in December, but Celta will look back fondly on the surprise win they earned over Ancelotti's side last May.

However, it is Los Blancos who have won five of the past six La Liga matches between the two sides, and Ronaldo boasts an impressive record against Celta, scoring eight in his last five appearances.

We say: Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid

Celta will be optimistic of putting up a fight after back-to-back wins in the last couple of weekends, but Real head into the game full of confidence following their success in the Champions League and they should have enough firepower to collect all three points.

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