Valencia v Real Madrid – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Valencia host Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mestalla on Sunday night in La Liga. Los Ches won this fixture 4-1 last season after a crazy match that saw three penalties for Valencia and a Los Blancos own goal to turn around a 1-0 deficit. These sides currently share the top spot in La Liga, making this a massive match.

Valencia Form

Valencia had an awful season last time out as they won just 10 of their 38 matches and finished in 13th place in La Liga. The club had three different coaches last term before appointing Jose Bordalas at the beginning of this campaign.

Los Ches have begun this season much more like their real selves. They beat Getafe 1-0 on an opening day despite playing 73 minutes with a man less. A 1-1 draw at Granada followed after Carlos Soler netted an 88th-minute penalty. Valencia beat Alaves 3-0 and Osasuna 4-1 away in their last two matches and sit tied-top of La Liga.

Valencia Team News

Valencia could be without Russian winger Denis Cheryshev once again due to injury. Coach Bordalas has a clean bill of health otherwise and seemingly has a pretty settled side. Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to keep Jasper Cillessen on the bench once again.

Gabriel Paulista and Jose Gaya are mainstays of the defence whilst Carlos Soler has three goals this season (two penalties) and is the side’s most in-form player.

Valencia Motivation

This is a huge risk for Los Ches to lay down a title marker and show that they mean business. After the mess of last season, the club looks reinvigorated under a new coach and is playing with more freedom.

Los Ches will know that Real Madrid had to travel to Italy in midweek and played a tough match so expect a fast start. Valencia will play to win but a draw would not be a poor result at all and they may settle for one in the second half if under the cosh.

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Real Madrid Form

Life under Carlo Ancelotti has started well for Real Madrid. They won 4-1 at Alaves on an opening day before a 3-3 draw at Levante as they came back from behind on two occasions. A second-half goal sealed a 1-0 victory at Real Betis before Karim Benzema’s hattrick saw Celta Vigo thrashed 5-0.

Madrid won 1-0 away at Inter Milan in midweek despite 1.8 xG for Inter and just 0.8 for Los Blancos. Thibault Courtois had to make some good saves before Rodrygo burgled a winner in the 89th minute.

Real Madrid Team News

Real Madrid has winger Gareth Bale and passing midfielders Toni Kroos and Dani Ceballos absent. David Alaba is fit and should start at center back where Carlo Ancelotti prefers him. With Ferland Mendy out injured, academy graduate Miguel Gutiérrez and Nacho will battle it out to start at left-back.

Eden Hazard was given no minutes against Internazionale but will hope for a recall in place of the more defensively disciplined Lucas Vazquez. Wednesday’s match-winner Rodrygo and new signing Eduardo Camavinga, the assist provider for the goal against Inter, may both need to settle for a place amongst the substitutes.

Real Madrid Motivation

This is a top-of-the-table clash so Madrid will be fully focused, especially after the 4-1 humiliation in this fixture last season. Ancelotti’s side is good going forward the coach will try to score more goals if leading in the second half.

Key Stats

Valencia are unbeaten in 3 home La Liga matches against Real Madrid (W2, D1)

Both teams have scored in Valencia’s last 10 home games vs Real Madrid

Madrid have scored 14 goals in 5 matches this season

Real Madrid have seen Both Teams Scoring in 3 of their 5 matches this season

Karim Benzema has scored 5 goals in 5 matches this season

Verdict

This should be a really good match considering the improvements of both teams this season under new coaches. This fixture tends to see goals scored by both sides and that could be a good way to go in this match too.