Real Madrid have allowed Barcelona to pull clear at the top of La Liga, so Alvaro Arbeloa’s team have very little margin for error remaining. This is simply a must-win game for Madrid.Can Celta Vigo throw another spanner in the works of the Blancos, or will Madrid get back on track and keep their title tilt alive?Draw – 5/2 with 247BetBoth teams to score – 8/13 with LadbrokesGonzalo Garcia to score any time – 13/8 with QuickBetCelta Vigo vs Real Madrid oddsFind the latest Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid predictionsGiven how perennially high expectations are at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, it does not take much for a crisis to be declared.There is a debate to be had about whether we have reached that point already, but defeat by Celta Vigo on Friday evening would lead to the liberal use of the c-word in Real Madrid-themed discussions over the next few days.The situation has deteriorated rapidly. On Valentine’s Day, Madrid thumped Real Sociedad 4-1 to make it eight wins in a row in La Liga.Eleven days later, they secured passage to the last 16 of the Champions League, beating Benfica 3-1 over two legs.However, Madrid suffered defeat in La Liga either side of the second leg against Benfica. First came a 2-1 loss to Osasuna on February 21, before Alvaro Arbeloa’s team suffered a 1-0 home defeat by Getafe on Monday night.As you might imagine, those results have not gone down well in the Madrid press. “Real Madrid continue their freefall,” wrote Marca. “The season has once again become a disaster.”It is not just those on-field setbacks that have prompted such consternation. There is just as much anger among the fan base about Madrid’s injury situation, with the collective finger now being pointed at the club and its medical staff.The latest piece of bad news is that Rodrygo has torn an anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season, as well as World Cup 2026. In total he is expected to be absent from action for around 10 months.The Brazil international will have struggled to find space in the treatment room. Kylian Mbappe, Eder Militao, Jude Bellingham, David Alaba, Dani Ceballos, Joan Martinez and Victor Valdepenas are also sidelined and will play no part this weekend.Raul Asencio could return for the crunch clash with Celta Vigo, but that is not guaranteed. His fellow centre-back Dean Huijsen will play no part due to suspension, likewise Franco Mastantuono and Alvaro Carreras.Madrid now trail Barcelona by four points. That is not an insurmountable deficit with 12 rounds of fixtures left to play, but the Blancos cannot afford to fall any further behind their arch-rivals. That is why this trip to Celta Vigo is so important for Arbeloa and co., whose situation in La Liga means they cannot afford to look ahead to Wednesday’s clash with Manchester City just yet.Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid betting tipsThis is a huge game for Real Madrid – will they beat Celta Vigo on Friday evening?More troubles for MadridGiven everything that is going on, Real Madrid would have wished for an easier next fixture than this.Celta Vigo are flying high in La Liga. They are currently sixth in the standings, but only three points separate them from Real Betis in fifth.Champions League qualification is a genuine possibility provided Spain wins the race for an additional place in next season’s edition.Given the general mood around Madrid, not to mention their long list of absentees, it is hard to see them coming out on top at the Estadio de Balaidos.Celta Vigo can deny Arbeloa’s team victory in this one. Back a draw at 5/2 at 247Bet Celta to strikeIf Asencio does miss out for Real Madrid as expected, they will be left with one fit senior centre-half.Ordinarily Joan Martinez, a talented prospect who is yet to make his debut for the first team, might be chosen to step up. But he too is injured.Dani Carvajal is the likeliest candidate to operate alongside Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the backline, but that is less than ideal.Celta Vigo will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet given Madrid’s issues at the back. After all, Celta have found the net in each of their last six matches in all competitions. Go for both teams to score at 8/13 with Ladbrokes Garcia one to watchWith Bellingham, Rodrygo and Mbappe all missing, the attacking responsibility will fall to Vinicius Junior this weekend.Thankfully for Real Madrid, the Brazilian has been in good form of late despite his team’s patchy performances.For our money, though, Gonzalo Garcia is the best pick in the anytime scorer market. The 21-year-old has proved to be an able deputy to Mbappe this term. Of course, he does not offer the same quality as the Frenchman, but he is a useful squad player for Madrid.With Celta likely to focus on keeping Vinicius quiet, Garcia is poised to benefit. Tip Gonzalo Garcia to score any time at 13/8 with QuickBet Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid predicted lineupsCelta Vigo expected lineup: Radu; Rodriguez, Aidoo, Alonso; Minguez, Roman, Vecino, Carreira; Lopez, Iglesias, Alvarez.Real Madrid expected lineup: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Carvajal, Rudiger, F. Garcia; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guler; G. Garcia, Vinicius. Where to watch Celta Vigo vs Real MadridLocation: Estadio de Balaidos, Vigo, Spain.Date and time: Friday 6th March, 8pm.How to watch: Premier Sports 1.More La Liga predictionsWe have plenty more La Liga predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.About the authorGreg LeaGreg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootballCommercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. 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