Match Preview

Real Madrid make the trip to the Mestalla to take on Valencia on Sunday.

Los Blancos are currently third in the league table, trailing by just a point to both Sociedad and Atlético. Real have also won four of their last five league matches and are coming off a crucial win over Inter.

Valencia have had it rough this season so far after losing some of their best talent such as Dani Parejo, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Rodrigo. This reflects in the league table as they currently sit in 15th. They are winless in four of their last five matches as well.

This is an important match for Real as they can take three points to continue the title race against a club that is struggling this season. Valencia have been scoring this season, but struggle to keep the ball out of their own net. They’ve conceded the same amount of goals as Valladolid (13), who currently sit at the bottom of the table.

The trip to the Mestalla is always a tough one for Real Madrid as Valencia have lost only one home match against Real. This Sunday should be a tough one as well for Real.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will be without Eden Hazard and Casemiro, who both tested positive for coronavirus. Eder Militão, Dani Carvajal, Nacho and Alvaro Odriozola all remain out. Martin Ødegaard is back in the squad from injury.

Valencia are likely without Mouctar Diakhaby and Eliaquim Managala due to injury. Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen will also likely miss after getting hurt in training.

Right back Thierry Correia is suspended for this match after being shown red against Getafe last weekend.

Potential XIs

Valencia

Doménech; Wass, Gabriel, Guillamón, Gayà; Musah, Soler, Račić, Cheryshev; Guedes, Gómez

Real Madrid

Courtois; Vazquez, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Modrić, Valverde, Kroos; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

With Casemiro out, Fede Valverde is most likely to start in his position on Sunday. Hazard being out as well means that we could see Vinicius reclaim the starting role at least for this match.

There’s also the question of Ødegaard, who is just returning to injury. Zidane could give him the chance to start, but perhaps it’s more likely he comes off the bench in his return.

Prediction

Valencia—Real Madrid 1-3

The Mestalla is always one of the toughest venues Real travels to in a La Liga season. While Valencia are certainly much weaker this year than season’s past, they could still give Real a hard time at home.

Javi Gracia has had his hands full with Valencia’s porous defense so far in his first season as manager. He will surely want a decision at home to shake the bad performances Los Murciélagos have had over the last several matches.

Real need these three points to continue their march for a consecutive La Liga title. It’s been a very tight race so far in regards to points and both teams in Real’s way are just ahead by a point.

Zidane has been dealt a tricky hand this weekend with two of his starters out due to coronavirus. He will have to get creative as he has had to do for most of the season with all the injuries the club has sustained.

Real should be able to still get an away win here given Valencia’s poor form. It’s never easy, but it is doable and it’s important heading into another international break.