Real Madrid will be hoping to secure the victory required to return to within one point of Barcelona when they host Celta Vigo at the Bernabeu on Sunday. Xabi Alonso’s side got their first La Liga win in five last time out against Athletic Club, and they will hope to follow it up on home soil.

Alonso will not be able to call upon several defenders for the Celta clash, with Trent Alexander-Arnold being the latest to be struck down. Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen, David Alaba and Ferland Mendy are also ruled out, which means that there are few options to choose from.

The absences of Trent and Carvajal mean that Fede Valverde will return to right-back, as per Marca. He is expected to be joined in defence by Raul Asencio, who is schedule to come in for Antonio Rudiger, as well as regulars Eder Militao and Alvaro Carreras.

In midfield, Dani Ceballos is in line to earn a rare start in place of Eduardo Camavinga, who is doubtful after suffering discomfort against Athletic. Arda Guler is also planned for a return to the line-up, where Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham would be present too. In attack, the duo of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe are certain to be selected by Alonso.

As for Celta, one change is expected from last weekend’s disappointing home defeat to Espanyol: Ilaix Moriba is to return in place of Fran Beltran in the centre of midfield. It would mean that Iago Aspas remains in the starting XI, but Oscar Mingueza is once again on the substitutes’ bench.

Real Madrid have not had it their own way vs Celta Vigo

In recent seasons, Celta have run Real Madrid close, both at the Bernabeu and Balaidos. They will believe that similar issues can be caused on this occasion, as Los Blancos go for a second La Liga victory in a row.