Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Facing a must-win La Liga showdown on Sunday night, Real Madrid will travel to the Mestalla when they meet Valencia.
Valencia
Starting with the hosts, while Valencia might have signed off January with consecutive La Liga victories, Los Ches have come crashing back down to earth over the past week. Watching their Copa del Rey adventure come to an end on Wednesday night as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Athletic Bilbao, Carlos Corberan’s men are still at the heart of an infamous relegation scrap. Last seen in La Liga action falling to a 2-1 loss at away at Real Betis, the Bats open this weekend’s fixtures holding just a one-point buffer over slipping into the drop zone. Last seen in La Liga action getting hit with another 2-1 defeat against Real Betis, Valencia will be bracing themselves for another stern examination at the Mestalla on Sunday night.
Valencia Team News
Both still dealing with respective hamstring injuries, Valencia will be unable to call upon the duo of Julen Agirrezabala and Portuguese defender Thierry Correira on Sunday night. Bagging a consolation Copa del Rey strike in midweek, January recruit Omar Sadiq will keep his spot from the start.
Settling for a spot on the bench on Wednesday night, leading marksman Hugo Duro will spearhead Los Ches’ attack. Recently cementing his spot as Corberan’s number one choice, North Macedonian international Stole Dimitrievski will start between the sticks.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have signed off their Champions League group stage adventure with a dramatic 4-2 loss away at Benfica, it appears that was just a minor blip for Los Blancos. Last seen getting February underway with a late 2-1 victory at home against local rivals Rayo Vallecano, Alvaro Arbeloa’s men are desperate to find a route back to the top of the La Liga table. Winning four of their previous five appearances across all competitions, the Spanish icons will be excited by their most recent showdown against Sunday’s hosts. Storming their way to an empathic 4-0 romp when they welcomed Valencia to the Bernabeu for their reverse La Liga battle on November 1st, Arbeola will be calling on a repeat display this weekend.
Real Madrid Team News
Lasting just 10 minutes against Rayo Vallecano last weekend before picking up a reported hamstring injury, England international Jude Bellingham is not expected to feature here. Although summer recruit and former Liverpool superstar Trent Alexander-Arnold might be inching towards a first-team return, it remains to be seen if the 27-year-old will play any part here.
Shattering a string of records this season and notching 22 goals in his 21 La Liga appearances this season, French skipper Kylian Mbappe will lead the line. Uruguayan international Federico Valverde should once again start at right-back.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- When Valencia and Real Madrid met for their reverse La Liga battle on November 1st, Los Blancos stormed their way to a 4-0 win on home soil.
- Madrid have won four of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- French skipper Kylian Mbappe has notched 22 goals in his 21 La Liga appearances so far this season.
- Valencia have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns at the Mestalla across all competitions – a run that stems back to September 20th.
- The last five La Liga meetings between Valencia and Real Madrid have produced 20 goals at both ends of the pitch.
Conclusion
Storming their way to a thumping 4-0 victory when they welcomed Valencia to the Bernabeu for their reverse La Liga meeting on November 1st, Real Madrid will be dreaming of a repeat performance here. Hoping to reclaim their spot at the top of the table, Los Blancos will be confident of making a title statement here. Watching the Bats’ Copa del Rey adventure come to a frustrating end in midweek as they fell to a 2-1 loss at home against Athletic Bilbao, Sunday’s hosts remain at the heart of an infamous relegation scrap.
Verdict: Real Madrid win
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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