Real Madrid returns from its winter break on Friday evening when it travels to Valencia in the Spanish League.
Los Blancos have not played since their 4-2 win over Sevilla before Christmas, but are back at home at the Mestalla. This match was postponed back in November after deadly flooding in the Valencia area but was rescheduled for Friday night.
Real Madrid is aware of the importance of the victory over Valencia, as it raised it by three points above its local rival, Atletico Madrid, to first place. It also marks the start of three matches in seven days, with the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup coming in quick succession.
Los Che would not be enthusiastic about the suggestion of visiting Madrid. Former West Bromwich Albion coach Carlos Corberan will take charge of his first match with Valencia, which ranks 19th and has not achieved any wins in its previous five matches in the Spanish League.
here 90 minutes Valencia vs. Valencia match guide Madrid.
Valencia vs Real Madrid H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Valencia |
real madrid |
|---|---|
|
Valencia 2-2 Alaves – 12/22/24 |
Real Madrid 4-2 Sevilla – 12/22/24 |
|
Espanyol 1-1 Valencia – 12/18/24 |
Real Madrid 3-0 Pachuca – 12/18/24 |
|
Real Valladolid 1-0 Valencia – 12/13/24 |
Ray Vallecano 3-3 Real Madrid – 12/14/24 |
|
Valencia 0-1 Rayo Vallecano – 12/07/24 |
Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid – 12/10/24 |
|
Ejea 1-3 Valencia – 12/04/24 |
Girona 0-3 Real Madrid – 12/07/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
LaLiga TV, Premier Sports 2, Premier Sports Player |
|
US |
ESPN+, fuboTV, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes |
|
Canada |
TSN+ |
Corberan was welcomed to a packed treatment room upon his arrival at Valencia, with Mouctar Diakhaby, Jose Gaya and Thierry Correa absent from the defence. The latter will be absent for the remainder of the campaign.
Fran Perez and Rafa Mir are doubts, and star goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili could be absent again. The Georgian has not featured since early December and is suffering from a thigh injury.
Influential midfielder Pebelo will be unavailable due to suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Deportivo Alaves before the winter break.
The expected formation of Valencia against Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Dmitrievsky. Volker, Mosquera, Gasorowski, Rioja; Barrenechea, Guerra; Canos, Almeida, Lopez; difficult.
Carlo Ancelotti still finds himself without three key defenders ahead of Friday's game, with strengthening the back line likely to be the priority if any signings are made in January. Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao will be out of action until the end of the season David Alaba is unlikely to return until later in the month After a long absence due to injury.
Vinicius Junior will return to the starting lineup after missing the victory over Sevilla due to suspension, and Rodrigo and Kylian Mbappe will join him in the starting lineup. The latter is starting to turn the corner after a difficult start in Spain.
Aurelien Chouamini is likely to fill the centre-back position again after injury, with Eduardo Camavinga slotted into the defensive midfield. Fran Garcia could start in place of Ferland Mendy who is out of form at left-back as well.
Real Madrid's expected lineup against Valencia (4-3-3): polite; Vazquez, Chouamini, Rudiger, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Bellingham; Rodrigo, Mbappe, Vinicius.
Corberan will be hoping to make an immediate impact at Valencia but injuries and a general lack of quality in key areas mean another defeat is on the cards for Friday. The home side have won just two La Liga matches – the fewest of any team in the division – and they have collected just nine points from eight home matches.
Real Madrid have been inconsistent on the road this season, winning four, drawing four and losing one of their nine matches. However, with a wealth of attacking options at their disposal, they should have enough firepower to beat Valencia convincingly.
