Valencia vs Real Madrid: Match Preview & predictions
Valencia vs Real Madrid: Match Preview & predictions. Real Madrid resumes their winter break on Friday even with an away trip to Valencia in La Liga.
Los Blancos haven’t been in action since their 4-2 win over Sevilla before Christmas but make their domestic comeback at the Mestalla. This fixture was postponed back in November following fatal flooding in the Valencia region but has now been rescheduled for Friday night.
Madrid know the importance of victory at Valencia, with three points lifting them above local rivals Atletico Madrid into first place. It also marks the beginning of three games in seven days, with Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana fixtures coming in quick succession.
Los Che will not be excited by the proposition of Madrid’s visit. Former West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan takes charge of his first match with Valencia languishing in 19th, without a win in their previous five La Liga outings.
Here is how we preview the La Liga clash between Valencia and Madrid.
What time does Valencia vs Real Madrid kick-off?
Location: Valencia, Spain
Stadium: Mestalla Stadium
Date: Friday 3 January
Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Cesar Soto Grado
VAR: Alejandro Muniz Ruiz
Valencia vs Real Madrid H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Valencia: 1 win
Real Madrid: 3 wins
Draws: 1
Last meeting: Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid (2 March 2024) – La Liga
Valencia team news:
Corberan has been greeted by a busy treatment room upon his arrival at Valencia, with Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Gaya and Thierry Correia all missing from the defence. The latter will be absent for the remainder of the campaign.
Fran Perez and Rafa Mir are both doubts and star goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili could also miss out again. The Georgian hasn’t featured since early December and is struggling with a thigh injury.
Influential midfielder Pepelu will be unavailable through suspension after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season against Deportivo Alaves before the winter break.
Valencia predicted lineup vs Real Madrid
Valencia (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Rioja; Barrenechea, Guerra; Canos, Almeida, Lopez; Duro.
Real Madrid team news:
Carlo Ancelotti still finds himself without three key defenders heading into Friday’s clash, with strengthening the backline likely the priority if any signings are made in January. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season, while David Alaba is unlikely to return until later in the month after a long injury layoff.
Vinicius Junior will return to the starting lineup after missing the victory over Sevilla through suspension and he will be joined by Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappe in the XI. The latter is starting to turn the corner after a tough start in Spain.
Aurelien Tchouameni is likely to fill in at centre-back once again following injuries, with Eduardo Camavinga stepping into defensive midfield. Fran Garcia could start over the out-of-form Ferland Mendy at left-back, too.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Valencia
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Valencia vs Real Madrid score prediction:
Corberan will aim to make an immediate impact in Valencia, but injuries and a lack of quality in crucial areas suggest another defeat could be looming this Friday. The hosts have managed only two wins in La Liga this season–the fewest of any team in the league—and have collected just nine points from eight home matches.
While Madrid has been inconsistent away from home, with four wins, four draws, and one loss in nine outings, their depth in attacking talent should provide enough firepower to secure a convincing victory over Valencia.
Prediction: Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid
