Real Madrid have experienced a busy start to the calendar year, competing in four matches in the first half of January, compared to the two matches that Celta have been involved in this month.

Los Blancos kicked off 2025 with a 2-1 league win over Valencia and a dominant cup outing against Minera, before they travelled to Saudi Arabia to defend the Spanish Super Cup they won back in 2024.

Carlo Ancelotti eased into the final with a 3-0 win over Mallorca, but while Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in Sunday's showpiece event against Barcelona, it proved to be a forgettable outing for Los Blancos, conceding four goals in the first half of a 5-2 defeat.

What made matters worse was the fact the result represented their second heavy Clasico defeat in the space of three months after they slumped to a 4-0 loss in October's La Liga home clash with Barcelona.

After failing to clinch the silverware in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid will be desperate to avoid any slip-ups in Thursday's Copa del Rey clash against Celta, with Los Blancos hoping to go all the way to win the competition for the 21st time in their history.

They have enjoyed success in recent outings at the Santiago Bernabeu, having won their last five competitive home games by a combined 16-2 scoreline.

Real Madrid have also fared well in recent games against Celta, winning each of their previous nine head-to-head meetings, including a 2-1 victory in October's trip to Balaidos.

While Real Madrid entered the Copa del Rey in the third round, Celta have had to negotiate three cup ties to set up their upcoming trip to the Spanish capital.

The Galician outfit scored 12 goals across the first two rounds to dispatch UD San Pedro and Salamanca UDS, but they were forced to work much harder in their most recent Copa del Rey outing against second-tier Racing Santander.

Celta staged a late turnaround to overturn a 2-1 deficit against 10-man Santander, pulling level thanks to an 86th-minute own goal before Alfon Gonzalez found the net in stoppage time to clinch a 3-2 victory.

Los Celestes were unable to experience similar success in Friday's league game against Rayo Vallecano, falling to a 2-1 defeat in Vallecas to leave them in 12th position in La Liga.

They will now be fully focused on Thursday's trip to the Santiago Bernabeu, knowing they will have to spring a surprise if they are to keep their dreams alive of winning the Copa del Rey for the first time in their history.

Celta may be able to draw upon their success at this stage of last season's competition when they recorded a 3-1 away victory over Valencia to progress to the quarter-finals.

The visitors will be fully aware of the fact they have not beaten Real Madrid since January 2017, although that 2-1 away win did take place in the Copa del Rey, with Celta recording a 4-2 aggregate victory to progress on that occasion.

Real Madrid remain without Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, who are out for the rest of the season due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

David Alaba is on the verge of returning to competitive action for the first time since December 2023, with the Austrian expected to be included in the squad after being an unused substitute in both Spanish Super Cup matches.

Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham and Mbappe are all expected to be ready to start despite working away from the group in Tuesday's training session.

However, midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is struggling with illness and is seemingly a doubt for Thursday's Copa del Rey fixture.

Real Madrid lost their appeal against Vinicius Junior's red card against Valencia earlier this month, but with his ban only applicable to La Liga, he will be free to feature in the forward line against Celta.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope with their captain Iago Aspas, who is currently on the sidelines with a muscle injury.

Marcos Alonso, who was sent off the weekend, is set to miss the cup outing with an ankle problem, before he serves his ban in Sunday's league meeting with Athletic Bilbao.

Gonzalez is set to be out for around three weeks after picking up an injury in Friday's trip to Vallecas, ensuring the round-two match winner will not be available for the last 16 fixtures.

In positive news, Mihailo Ristic has returned to training following a spell on the sidelines, while Javier Rodriguez is available following a one-match ban.

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:

Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Rodriguez, Dominguez, Starfelt; Mingueza, Beltran, Moriba, Cervi; Duran, Bamba, Iglesias