Real Madrid will look to recover from their Spanish Super Cup final setback as they host Celta Vigo in a Copa del Rey clash on Thursday.
Los Blancos were held to a massive 2-5 setback against their archrival Barcelona in Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup final. Carlo Ancelotti’s side will now turn their focus to the last 16 of the Copa del Rey when they face Celta Vigo as their next challenge.
On the other hand, Celta Vigo comes into this game on the back of a disappointing 1-2 loss against Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
The Sporting News looks at the key details ahead of this game, including how to watch the match, kickoff times and the latest lineup news.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this Copa del Rey match in the U.S.:
- TV channel: —
- Live stream: ESPN+, ESPN App
This game is not available for live TV broadcast in the United States. Streaming options are available on ESPN App and ESPN+.
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What time does Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo kick off?
This Copa del Rey clash takes place at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain and kicks off on Thursday, January 16 at 9:30 p.m. local time.
Here’s how that time translates across the U.S.:
| Date | Kickoff time | |
| Eastern Time | Thu, Jan. 16 | 3:30 p.m. |
| Central Time | Thu, Jan. 16 | 2:30 p.m. |
| Mountain Time | Thu, Jan. 16 | 1:30 p.m. |
| Pacific Time | Thu, Jan. 16 | 12:30 p.m. |
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo lineups, team news
Real Madrid will be without Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, who are sidelined for the rest of the season due to their ligament injuries.
David Alaba was thought likely to make his return for the first time since December 2023, but did not make the matchday squad. Thibaut Courtois was also left out amidst a fitness concern, while French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is dealing with illness and can only make the bench.
Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe are all ready for this clash after missing Tuesday’s training session, but Bellingham was left to rest on the bench from the start alongside Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy.
Real Madrid starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Lunin (GK) — Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Garcia — Valverde, Tchouameni — Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius — Mbappe.
Injured: Militao, Carvajal, Courtois, Alaba.
Suspended: None.
The visitors will miss their skipper, Iago Aspas, for this clash, who is currently sidelined due to his muscle injury. Marcos Alonso was thought likely to miss the cup outing with an ankle problem, but he makes the matchday squad and is handed a start.
Alfon Gonzalez is set to be out for around three weeks after picking up an injury in Friday’s trip to Vallecas.
There is a piece of positive news for the visitors, as Mihailo Ristic has returned to training following a spell on the sidelines and makes the bench, while Javier Rodriguez is available following a one-match ban and starts at the back.
Celta Vigo starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Villar (GK) — Mingueza, J. Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso — Carreira, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez — Swedberg, Iglesias.
Injured: Aspas, Jailson, A. Gonzalez.
Suspended: None.
Real Madrid vs. Celta Vigo Prediction
Los Blancos will be desperate for a positive result here after their recent setback against their archrival Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, and they would not like to have any slip-up here.
When these two teams last met in October last year, Real Madrid landed a 2-1 victory. Considering their recent five-match winning streak at home, they are likely to edge past Celta Vigo in this clash.
- Prediction: Real Madrid 3-1 Celta Vigo
Copa del Rey fixture schedule this week
All times ET
Wednesday, January 15
- Almeria vs. Leganes (1:30 p.m.)
- Pontevedra vs. Getafe (1:30 p.m.)
- Barcelona vs. Real Betis (3:00 p.m.)
- Elche vs. Atletico Madrid (3:00 p.m.)
Thursday, January 16
- Athletic Club vs. Osasuna (1:30 p.m.)
- Real Sociedad vs. Rayo Vallecano (1:30 p.m.)
- Real Madrid vs. Celta de Vigo (3:30 p.m.)
