Ace Football previews the La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Three consecutive victories is the target as Real Madrid head to the Mestalla on Sunday night for a La Liga match against Valencia.
Zinedine Zidane’s side have overcome a sluggish start to their title defense and now find themselves in the top three, just a point behind leaders Atletico Madrid. And, if Real Sociedad fail to beat Granada on Sunday, they could enter the international break on top of the La Liga standings.
Visiting the Mestalla, however, has often proved a challenging affair for Real Madrid. They settled for a 1-1 draw last time out and haven’t won at Valencia’s home ground in the Spanish top-flight since January 2018.
Valencia Form & Stats
Valencia’s financial troubles led to the departures of several high-profile names in the summer, including skipper Dani Parejo, Fernan Torres, and Rodrigo Moreno. It’s led to a collapse in results with the club 15th in La Liga – two points above the relegation zone.
Things really do seem to be going from bad to worse, with manager Javi Gracia having attempted to leave last month. No signings and the many players exits made him want to resign. Contract obligations, however, forced the former Watford boss to stay put – or else pay Valencia €3m to walk out.
No doubt Geoffrey Kondogbia’s €15m transfer to rivals Atletico Madrid has made Gracia more unhappy. It further limits his options and couldn’t have come at a worst moment. Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, meanwhile, is a huge doubt after experiencing ‘discomfort’ on Friday and Thierry Correia’s suspension is another unwelcome blow.
The six-time La Liga champions, who have just a point from their last four league games, desperately need a strong result on Sunday.
Key Team Stats
- Lost three of their last four league games (D1).
- BTTS in 14 of their 16 games against Real Madrid in all competitions.
- Conceded two or more goals in their last four league games.
Real Madrid Form & Stats
The visitors, on the other hand, visit Valencia on the back of two very impressive victories over Barcelona and Huesca. It’s left them within touching distance of the league’s top spot in third-place, and arguably favorites for a second La Liga title in a row.
Aside from a shock 1-0 home defeat to Cadiz in mid-October, Real Madrid have enjoyed a relatively smooth and untroubled start to the defense of their title with five wins in their opening seven games this term.
Zidane’s men have also just returned from a crucial 3-2 Champions League win over Inter Milan. The result will no doubt have eased some pressure off, considering they failed to win their opening two games.
Although losing Eden Hazard, Casemiro, and Eder Militao to positive COVID-19 tests was an unwelcome blow. But Zidane has reported the trio are fine, and he has no fresh injury concerns either.
Key Team Stats
- Won three of their last four games in all competitions.
- Unbeaten in their last nine away games in all competitions (W6 D3).
- Over 3.5 goals in their last five games in all competitions.
- BTTS in their last five games in all competitions.
Team News
Valencia: Mouctar Diakhaby & Thierry Correia (both out); Jasper Cillessen (doubt).
Real Madrid: Eden Hazard, Casemiro, Eder Militao, Álvaro Odriozola, Nacho Fernandez, & Dani Carvajal (all out).
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Analysis
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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