Match Preview

Real Madrid travel to the Mestalla to take on Valencia for a midweek fixture between the top six sides. These two clubs met back in December at the Bernabéu where Real were able to achieve a 2-0 victory.

Valencia are currently 6th in the table, fighting to gain the four points necessary to catch up with Getafe for the final Champions League spot. Needless to say, this will be a big one for Valencia as they are at home looking desperately looking for all three points.

Both clubs are coming off weekend wins, Real Madrid with one over Huesca and Valencia over Sevilla. Real Madrid have also won both matches under returning manager Zinedine Zidane, they’ll look to continue this brief streak.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid have already released their squad for Wednesday’s match in Valencia. Courtois, Carvajal, and Vinicius all remain out with injury. Nacho, Llorente, Valverde, and Brahim are all not included on the list either. Modric and Kroos return to the squad after missing out Saturday.

Valencia remain without Francis Coquelin, Cristiano Piccini, Ruben Sobrino, and Juame Domenech.

Nacho misses due to suspension for Real Madrid. Valencia have no suspensions for this match on their side.

Potential XIs

Real Madrid

Navas; Odriozola, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Asensio, Benzema

Zidane went with a heavy rotation on Sunday against Huesca, the squad for Wednesday doesn’t reflect that this will be the case against Valencia. This one is more likely to feature the regular starters given who is included on the released squad list.

Valencia

Neto; Wass, Garay, Gabriel, Gaya; Soler, Parejo, Kondogbia, Guedes; Rodrigo, Gameiro

Prediction

Valencia-Real Madrid 1-3

As mentioned earlier, Valencia are still looking for a spot in the Champions League spot next season and remain just four points out behind Getafe. This will be a match, especially being at home, that Valencia will be fighting for until the final whistle.

Real Madrid are 10 points ahead of the fourth and final spot, so they have all but secured a spot for next year’s European tournament. But, that doesn’t mean Real shouldn’t want to win this match and continue their win streak under Zidane and keep Valencia from obtaining a spot. The lineup for Real will likely reflect that.

It should be an interesting match, a good matchup for the midweek, and one that could turn out to be a battle given the circumstances.