Preview: Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo

Real Madrid will be under tremendous pressure to get 2014 off to a winning start when they host Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga on Monday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will head into the contest eight points off the pace in third, as Atletico Madrid won 1-0 at Malaga on Saturday to go top.

Barcelona will replace the Rojiblancos in pole position but only on goal difference if they get the better of Elche at Camp Nou on Sunday.

However, Real will be confident of a victory in their opening competitive match of the New Year as their opponents Celta are just a point and two places above the relegation zone at the moment and have won only four league matches all season.

The Spanish giants will also be boosted by the return of winger Gareth Bale to the team. The Wales international has recovered from a calf injury and is likely to slot into the Real starting lineup.

Fabio Coentrao is in line to make his comeback from a hamstring injury as well, but Raphael Varane and Sami Khedira remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Recent form

Real Madrid: WDWDWW

Celta Vigo: LWWLLD

Possible starting lineups

Real Madrid: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Alonso; Bale, Isco, Ronaldo; Benzema

Celta Vigo: Oterino; Jonny, Costas, Fontas, Aurtenetxe; Fernandez, Melendez, Krohn-Dehli; Rafinha, Mina, Orellana

Sports Mole says: 4-0