Celta Vigo v Real Madrid preview: Sergio Ramos out for visitors

Real Madrid will be looking to start the new year on a winning note when they travel to Celta Vigo on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Football from 7.40pm.

Madrid return to La Liga action at Balaidos having seen their title defence left in tatters by a crushing 3-0 home defeat to leaders Barcelona in their final game of 2017.

That left the champions 14 points adrift of Barca - albeit with a game in hand - and knowing they will need something approaching a miracle to overturn the deficit to their arch rivals.

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The first objective will be to try and beat Celta, but head coach Zinedine Zidane acknowledges that is easier said than done against a side who held Barca to a 1-1 draw in their Copa del Rey last-16 first leg on Thursday.

Zidane said: "We're facing a very good team in this league, who work hard and have good players. What they are doing is very good, and we know the difficulty of this match. But I'm more interested in what we're going to try and do."

Real's cause has not been helped by an injury to Sergio Ramos which could keep the Spain defender out for most of January, and Zidane admits the loss of his skipper is a significant blow.

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He said: "We lose a lot because he's our leader and our captain. We always want him with the team but these things happen.

"The season is long and we want him to recover as soon possible. Hopefully he won't be out for long."

Celta started the weekend lying 11th in La Liga on 21 points, 10 adrift of fourth-placed Real Madrid and only six above the relegation places.

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Coach Juan Carlos Unzue has named the same squad that faced Barca in the cup - omitting John Guidetti, Ivan Villar, Andrew Hjulsager and new signing Robert Mazan - but admits it will not be the same starting XI.

Unzue, whose side also have go to the Nou Camp on Thursday, said: "The two line-ups will be related, players who were substitutes against Barcelona will be starters.

"I've tried to make two teams that are as balanced as possible. I've no doubt that we're going to be competitive."

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