The top two sides in La Liga go head to head this weekend as leaders Real Madrid travel to second-placed Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Both sides are unbeaten in the Spanish top flight so far this season, and are separated only by goal difference ahead of their meeting at Balaidos.
Celta Vigo
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Having beaten Villarreal and Barcelona while the two sides were at the top of the La Liga table, Eduardo Berizzo will be hoping that his side can beat the league leaders for the third time this season as they host Real Madrid.
Celta Vigo maintained their unbeaten start to the 2015-16 campaign with a 2-1 win over Villarreal thanks to a last-minute goal from Nolito. After draws with Eibar and Getafe in their previous fixtures, the result gave this weekend's hosts their first victory since beating Barcelona 4-1 in September.
Celta have won just half of their home fixtures so far this season though, being held to draws by Getafe and Las Palmas. However, both of their wins at home have been by three clear goals.
Celta's lofty position in the table is largely down to their impressive form in front of goal. This weekend's hosts have netted 17 goals in their opening eight fixtures - just one fewer than their opponents, who have been the most prolific.
Nolito leads the way for Celta, scoring six goals in eight appearances for the club so far this season, resulting in the striker being linked with Arsenal and Chelsea ahead of the January transfer window.
Defending has not been as strong for Celta though, as the team have kept just two clean sheets so far, while conceding four times as many goals as Real.
Recent form: DWWDDW
Real Madrid
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Real Madrid climbed back to the top of the table for the first time in almost a month last weekend following a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante.
Rafael Benitez's side are still unbeaten in the league this season, but dropped points in their two fixtures prior to the international break, sharing draws with Malaga and local rivals Atletico Madrid.
While their opponents have had the week off to prepare for the visit of Real, Los Blancos have been in action in the Champions League, sharing a goalless draw with French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
Real's position at the top of the standings has been helped by the side having the best defence and attack in the league. As well as scoring 18 goals in their first eight outings, Real have kept a league-high six clean sheets, while conceding just twice.
Twelve of Real's 18 goals have been shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, although Ronaldo scored the majority of his goals in one five-goal display against Espanyol. The French international has been a regular on the scoresheet though.
With the January transfer window drawing ever nearer, speculation surrounding potential moves in the New Year is starting to build, with Chelsea's Eden Hazard being heavily linked with the switch to the Bernabeu this week, along with Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
Recent form: WWWDDW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWDWD
Team News
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Real Madrid have a number of injury concerns coming into this match, with Karim Benzema missing out on the trip to Paris earlier this week after picking up an injury while on international duty.
Gareth Bale is also sidelined after aggravating a calf injury, while James Rodriguez is not expected back until the start of November with a thigh injury.
Dani Carvajal and Pepe have also missed time in recent weeks, but Alvaro Arbeloa and Mateo Kovacic, who have both had knocks, could be ready to return this weekend.
There is better news for the home side though, as Dejan Drazic and Andreu Fontas are both available after returning to training this week, while goalkeeper Ruben Blanco is also nearing a return to fitness.
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Alvarez, Mallo, Jonny, Gomez, Cabral, Hernandez, Wass, Fernandez, Aspas, Nolito, Orellana
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Navas, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Danilo, Kroos, Casemiro, Kovacic, Ronaldo, Isco, Jese
Head To Head
In both meetings between the two sides in La Liga last season, it was Real Madrid who secured the three points, winning 4-2 at Balaidos in their most recent meeting in April.
Celta have won just one of their last six matches against the league leaders, but seven of their 11 victories over Real have come on home soil.
In 34 matches between the two sides, Real Madrid have won 20, while just three matches have ended in a stalemate.
We say: Celta Vigo 1-2 Real Madrid
Both sides have been at their best when attacking this season, and despite facing the most prolific attack in the league, Celta will surely continue to press in front of their own fans. Although they will be without a number of their key players, Real should still have enough to secure the win though, particularly if their solid defence can limit the effect of the in-form Nolito.
Sian Cowper
