Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will resume their La Liga campaign with an away game against relegation-threatened Valencia.
Real Madrid and Valencia are two teams from different halves of the table, and they are all set to square up against each other at the Mestalla on Friday night.
The home team are 19th on the points table with just 12 points in their 17 outings. Los Che have only secured two wins so far, and they are four points behind the team in 17th. Since they have a game in hand on the teams above them, a win here could restore hope amongst their fans about survival.
Valencia have been winless in their last five league games, and they are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Alaves. While they did manage to avoid defeat with an injury-time strike from Dani Gomez against Alaves, the game against Real Madrid will be a completely different challenge.
Los Blancos are second on the points table with 40 points in their 18 outings thanks to 12 wins, four draws and just two defeats. The reigning La Liga champions are a point behind league leaders Atletico Madrid, and they will look to keep up the pressure on Diego Simeone’s team with another win here.
While Real Madrid have been a touch inconsistent, they are heading into this fixture on the back of consecutive wins and will be favourites for this one. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Valencia
The home team will be without the services of Jose Gaya, Mouctar Diakhaby, and Thierry Correia. Meanwhile, Pepelu is suspended for this fixture. While Fran Perez is a major doubt, Giorgi Mamardashvili could also miss out on this one.
Valencia will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Stole Dimitrievski should continue in goal. Dimitri Foulquier and Luis Rioja will be the full-backs, while Cristhian Mosquera and Yarek Gasiorowski will start in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Enzo Barrenechea will partner with Javi Guerra. The duo will shield the backline and ensure they do not allow the opposition midfielders to dominate the proceedings.
Andre Almeida will be the attacking midfielder with Dani Gomez and Diego Lopez on the flanks. Finally, Hugo Duro will be the one leading the line for Valencia against Real Madrid at the Mestalla on Friday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Foulquier, Mosquera, Gasiorowski, Rioja; Barrenechea, Guerra; Dani Gomez, Almeida, Diego Lopez; Duro
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of David Alaba, Dani Carvajal, and Eder Militao. While Alaba has made significant progress of late, this game is a touch too early for him. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior is back in the squad after missing the last game due to suspension.
Real Madrid will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia should be the full-backs for this one, with Aurelien Tchouameni starting alongside Antonio Rudiger at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga should form the double pivot. They will look to ensure that Real Madrid have majority of the ball and that they dictate the tempo of the game.
Jude Bellingham will be the attacking midfielder, while Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior will feature on the flanks. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will continue to lead the line for Real Madrid against Valencia.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, Fran Garcia; Camavinga, Valverde; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Vinicius; Mbappe
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Valencia have squared up against each other on 209 occasions. The team in white have 108 wins, while the home team have 58 wins to their name.
- The two teams last faced each other back in March 2024. It was a 2-2 draw at the Mestalla.
- Valencia last lost a league game to Real Madrid at the Mestalla back in September 2021.
- The home team have been winless in their last five league games heading into this fixture.
- Real Madrid have won two out of their last four league games against Valencia. Both those wins have come at home.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe had a slow start to the season at his new club, but he seems to be picking up the pace at just the right time. The Frenchman has a total of 16 goal contributions in his 23 outings and two of those came against Sevilla last time out. The 26-year-old is slowly getting used to the number nine role, and his influence on the games will keep increasing.
Prediction
Valencia 0-3 Real Madrid
Valencia surely have a strong recent record at the Mestalla against Real Madrid. but they have been winless in their last five league games and are in the relegation battle this time out. Meanwhile, the visitors are second on the table and despite their inconsistency, they are amongst the best team in the division.
The reigning La Liga champions will make life difficult for the home team in this fixture. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-0 win for the team in white.
