Real Madrid vs Valencia match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Los Che travel to the capital.
- DATE: Sunday 14th February 2021
- KICK-OFF: 16:15 (local time)
- STADIUM: Alfredo Di Stefano
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Real Madrid vs Valencia Preview
Valencia are bidding to complete a league double over Real Madrid on Sunday when the clubs meet at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano. Los Che were shock 4-1 victors when the sides met at Mestalla thanks to a hat-trick of penalties from Carlos Soler but it’s fair to say that result has not been reflective of their season overall which has been a very challenging one.
Real Madrid have responded pretty well to that shock defeat by Levante, as they’ve seen off both Huesca and Getafe despite a mounting injury crisis which left them needing to start Marvin Park in midweek with Isco and Mariano the only experienced players on a bench compiled almost purely of youngsters. Zinedine Zidane would have been more than happy to get out with maximum points but he’ll still be anxious about the state of his squad with Champions League football coming up.
They should be able to field a stronger side in this one as Real Madrid look to try and keep one foot in the title race. Much will clearly depend on Atleti’s form but Los Blancos certainly cannot afford to suffer a 4th home league defeat of the campaign here, otherwise their LaLiga chances would effectively be over.
There have been some tentative signs of progress for Valencia in recent weeks. They’ve only lost one of their last 6 league matches and that was at the Wanda Metropolitano against Atletico. While they’ve not exactly been convincing, key 1-0 wins over Elche and Real Valladolid have eased their relegation concerns and pushed them back up towards mid-table.
They may also have helped to keep Javi Gracia in a job and given the reluctance the board will have to pay him off, you sense Gracia will continue to occupy the role unless Valencia get seriously entangled in the relegation scrap, despite the unconvincing campaign they are having.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 3 Real Madrid Wins, 2 Valencia Wins, 1 Draw.
- Valencia won 4-1 when the sides met at Mestalla earlier this term.
- Real Madrid have won 4 of their last 5 home games against Valencia.
- 3 of the last 6 meetings in Madrid have seen both teams score twice or more.
Team News
Los Blancos are missing Eden Hazard, Rodrygo, Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Fede Valverde. Toni Kroos returns from a ban.
Hugo Guillamon is suspended for Valencia. Denis Cheryshev, Cristiano Piccini and Mouctar Diakhaby are out injured.
Predicted Real Madrid Starting Lineup:
Courtois – Mendy, Nacho, Varane, Odriozola – Kroos, Casemiro, Modric – Vinicius, Benzema, Asensio (4-3-3)
Predicted Valencia Starting Lineup:
Domenech – Gaya, Ferro, Gabriel, Correia – Guedes, Racic, Soler, Wass – Vallejo, Gomez (4-4-2)
Real Madrid vs Valencia Predictions
Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Valencia
Valencia have for a number of years, often raised their game against the bigger clubs and you wouldn’t totally rule them out here, particularly given how often Real Madrid have failed to convince against the weaker sides. However Los Blancos have Toni Kroos back and don’t have a game this coming midweek so Zinedine Zidane should name his strongest available XI and it should be enough to claim 3 points.
Real Madrid vs Valencia Betting Tips (18+)
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