Real Madrid v Celtic predictions: Top spot calling to Los Blancos

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Real Madrid v Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 4, 5.45pm

Best bet

Real Madrid to win & both teams to score
1pt 7-5 Betfair, Hills

Federico Valverde to score or assist
1pt 11-10 Betfair

Team news

Real Madrid
Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni are unlikely to be risked after being limited in training this week due to minor muscle injuries.

Celtic
Jota came through his return from injury at Livingston at the weekend unscathed and could start. Carl Starfelt is back in training after a knee injury but Callum McGregor is out.

Preview

Celtic’s sobering blink-and-you’ll-miss-it European jaunt comes to an end at the Bernabeu, where they could at least have something to cheer about against a leaky Real Madrid side.

The Hoops’ first Champions League group-stage campaign since 2017 has been a major disappointment, and a return of two points from five games confirmed they'll finish bottom of the group and miss out on the consolation prize of Europa League football.

That means the pressure is off for the visit to the home of the reigning European champions, although that won’t change the final outcome as Real are too good not to pick up the win they need to top the section.

Real allowed RB Leipzig to trim their lead in the group to one point with a 3-2 loss in Germany on matchday five and followed that with a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Girona in the league on Sunday.

That made it just two clean sheets in the last ten matches for Carlo Ancelotti’s men and Celtic should be confident of bagging having been in good scoring form of late, claiming 18 goals in their last five games.

The Bhoys also gave Real a scare in the first half of the reverse fixture, only for the Spaniards' quality to shine through after the interval as they ran out 3-0 victors.

Amongst those to step up for Los Blancos at Parkhead was Federico Valverde, who provided the assist for the opening goal, one of ten goal involvements he’s had this season.

The Uruguayan registered his seventh assist of the campaign at the weekend and is fancied to play a leading role in attack again.

Key stat

Both teams have scored in nine of Real Madrid’s 14 wins in all competitions this season.

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