Real Madrid CF V Valencia CF: Team News, Tactics, Lineups, Stats & Prediction

For Champions League finalists Real Madrid, their remaining matches in the league will feel like cup finals.

Trailing La Liga rivals FC Barcelona and Atletico Madrid by just one point, Real Madrid must win their last two La Liga games, and hope that both Barcelona and Atletico slip up. While this seems a bit unlikely, given the form of both of Real’s rivals, winning the title from this situation will be the stuff of legends.

However, the season is all but over for Valencia, who are struggling at ninth place in the Premier League. Their four-month experiment with inexperienced coach Gary Neville turned out to be a disastrous affair.

While they have nothing to play for in particular, Los Che will finally not have pressure on their shoulders, and might just end up stopping the Real Madrid juggernaut.

Team News & Tactics

Real Madrid CF

Winning the La Liga might be a huge honour, but the Madridistas will certainly have one eye on the upcoming Champions League final against cross town rivals Atletico later this month. But for now, they will have to play Valencia without the services of a few of their top players.

The biggest absentee for Zinedine Zidane is Welsh winger Gareth Bale, who is dealing with a knee issue at the moment. Bale’s normal position on the right wing is expected to be filled by Lucas Vazquez.

Vazquez has mostly been played from the bench by both Zidane and Rafa Benitez this season but failed to impress when given the start against Manchester City in the first leg of the Champions League semi final. However, the 24 year old Spaniard has put in better performances in the league.

Another big absentee for Real Madrid is goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who has an Achilles problem. Substitute goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is set to replace the Real Madrid no.1 on Sunday.

Striker Karim Benzema and defensive midfielder Casemiro have both returned to training after missing the semi final second leg against Manchester City. However, they both face late fitness tests to determine whether they can play or not.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Casilla; Marcelo, Ramos, Pepe, Danilo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Jese, Vazquez.

Valencia CF

Valencia have recovered a bit after the sacking of Gary Neville, with Pako Ayestaran at the helm of things at the club. In his six matches in charge of Los Che, Ayestaran has managed to win three, losing two and drawing one. The 53 year old has managed to take the club from 14th place to the ninth spot on the La Liga table.

Ayestaran has the perfect opportunity to carry on Valencia’s tradition as the bogey team for Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu, as he has a near-full squad at his disposal.

Los Che have not lost at the Santiago Bernabeu for four years now, and Ayestaran will be trying to set up his team to take some thing out of this match. Even a draw against Real Madrid on Sunday will be a huge morale booster for the Valencia players.

Centreback Shkodran Mustafi has arguably been Valencia’s best player this season, and needs to play a key role if Los Che are to get a a fifth consecutive draw at the Santiago Bernabeu. His aggression and willingness to win the aerial challenges will be key to Valencia’s chances. The fact that Bale and Benzema are unlikely to play gives the Valencia defence more hope, as they can dominate Vazquez and Jesse Rodriguez in the air.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Alves; Siqueira, Abdennour, Mustafi, Barragan; Parejo, Fuego, Perez; Gomez, Alcacer, Rodrigo.

Key Stats

• Valencia are unbeaten in their last four matches against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
• Real Madrid are on a 10-match winning spree in the La Liga.
• The Los Blancos have scored three or more goals in 11 of their last 12 home matches.
• Real Madrid have not conceded a single goal in their last three La Liga matches at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Players to watch out for

Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

The Croatian midfielder has been key to Real Madrid’s midfield this season. His passing in the middle of the park has been like clockwork, as he constantly looks to find space for his teammates. Valencia can be rather stubborn in defence on their day, and that is exactly when Los Blancos will require Modric’s intricate passing and vision to prise open their opposition.

Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia)

The German centreback has been one of the leading lights in an otherwise disappointing season for Valencia. His participation will be key in stopping the Real Madrid attacks on Sunday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu. One of his great attributes is that he can read the play and come off his line to make the crucial interceptions. This could be key to stopping the pacey Real attackers, who will be fed by the likes of Modric and Kroos.

Prediction

Real Madrid CF 1-0 Valencia CF

The Los Che might have a good record at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid, but Zinedine Zidane’s men are in excellent form and wouldn’t want to ket their title hopes slip in this match. While Valencia are unlikely to go down without a fight, Real Madrid should find just enough inspiration within them to give themselves a chance of winning the La Liga title in the last match of the season.

Blast from the past