The most eagerly anticipated match in La Liga this weekend sees Real Madrid make the trip to the Estadio de Mestalla to play Valencia. Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is coming under increased pressure following the defeat to Leganes in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night and needs to win this game to buy himself more time. Valencia have been enjoying a good season and start this match 5 points clear of Real Madrid, something they would not have expected at the start of the campaign. A win in this match would see them open a nice gap over the defending champions.
La Liga – Valencia v Real Madrid – Mestalla Stadium, Valencia – Saturday 27th January 2018 – 15:15 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 7/2 at Betfair |
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FC Valencia
Real MadridValencia Form
Valencia come into this match having sealed a place in the Copa del Rey semi-final despite losing the second leg 2-1 at Deportivo Alaves. Valencia came through the tie on penalties but have now lost their last 2 games, with the previous defeat coming at Las Palmas in La Liga. Valencia have lost 4 matches in La Liga this season but 3 of those defeats have come in their last 5 games. However, they have tasted just one defeat at home this season and that came at the hands of Villarreal just before Christmas. A look back at their home league results show Valencia have lost only 4 of their last 24 La Liga games at the Mestalla but have kept only one clean sheet in their last 5 home league matches.
Real Madrid Form
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is coming under huge pressure and having defeated Deportivo La Coruna 7-1 at home in La Liga, the Frenchman thought he had bought himself some time but the loss to Leganes soon changed that. Real Madrid have won just 2 of their last 6 La Liga games and only 1 of their last 4, which is a poor record for the defending champions. They have tasted defeats at home to Barcelona and Villarreal plus been held to a 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo, a match they could easily have lost. Zidane’s team have failed to win any of their last 4 away La Liga games, losing to Girona and drawing their last 3 at Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Celta Vigo. However, the loss at Girona was their only away league defeat in their last 17 matches on the road.
Team News
Valencia have problems at the back ahead of this game with defenders Jeison Murillo injured plus Gabriel Paulista and Ruben Vezo suspended. Right-midfielder Carlos Soler is also expected to miss the match with injury. Real Madrid can welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Keylor Navas to their starting XI as none of these players began the match against Leganes in mid-week. Dani Ceballos and defender Jesus Vallejo are both injured.
FC Valenica v Real Madrid – Betting Odds and Predictions
Both teams have scored in 6 of Valencia’s last 7 home matches in all competition and you can get 4/11 with William Hill for both teams to score in this game.
Top Betting Tip FC Valenica v Real Madrid
Given their recent form, it is difficult to make a case for Real Madrid to win this match but with Valencia missing players in defence, they should at least come away with a point. The draw is 7/2 with Betfair. Simone Zaza has been the man getting the goals for Valencia this season and the striker has 10 goals to his name but has failed to score in his last 7 matches. The Italian will be keen to get back on the score sheet and is 6/4 with William Hill to score at any time.