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Real look to close in on La Liga crown

Cape Town - Real Madrid, who lie level on points with Barcelona at the top of the standings, now have just two "cup finals" to go in their quest to lift the La Liga title.

On Wednesday they face the first of these crunch clashes, against Celta at Balaídos in the sides' rearranged Matchday 21 fixture.

Real will be aiming to rack up another three precious points, which would see them take pole position in the title race and keep their destiny in their own hands ahead of the last round of fixtures.

Should Zinedine Zidane's troops prevail over the Europa League semifinalists, they would then just require a point in Malaga to be crowned champions.

Meanwhile, if they draw, they would need to win on the final day, or failing that, match whatever Barcelona do.

Real's domestic record on their travels certainly makes for encouraging reading, are they are currently riding a seven-game winning streak on the road. Villarreal, Eibar, Athletic Bilbao, Leganes, Sporting, Deportivo and Granada have all succumbed to Madrid, who chalked up 26 goals in these encounters (an average of 3.71 per game).

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of this key clash, Zinedine Zidane insisted, "We're ready and are physically in very good shape. I always just think in positive terms and about us giving 100%".

Real will be looking to extend their stunning 62-game scoring run, of which 36 have been LaLiga fixtures, with Madrid having registered in each of their league outings to date.

Celta are enjoying a very impressive campaign.

They came just a goal away from sealing a Europa League final berth at Old Trafford and were only prevented from making a Copa del Rey showpiece appearance by Alavés in the semifinals.

On the domestic front, the hosts head into the final two matchdays with nothing to play for, however Zidane warned: "We know that it'll be tough because Celta are a good side and they'll give their all".

Iago Aspas, with 25 goals to his name (18 in La Liga), is the home side's leading scorer and the division's most prolific Spanish marksman.

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