Prediction: Valencia vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Karim Benzema to score anytime

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to potentially end the weekend at the top of the La Liga table, Real Madrid will make the trip to an empty Mestalla on Sunday night.

Valencia

Starting with the hosts, enduring a string of off-field issues over the summer and watching a string of their biggest stars head out of the Mestalla, Valencia have the feel of a club going through a real transition. While the Bats might have managed to end their losing run thanks to a last-gasp equalizer against Getafe last week, the Whites open the weekend sat down in 13th and some in their camp feeling that they could be in for a struggle this time around. Turning to new boss Javi Gracia in an attempt to steady the ship, the former Watford Head Coach has seen his squad pick up just a single point from their last four La Liga contests either side of October’s international break. In fact, with just a sole domestic victory to their name since the opening weekend of the 2020/2021 campaign, Valencia have continued to show some worrying issues at the back. Once again shipping a pair of goals against Getafe last time out, Sunday’s hosts have now conceded over 1.5 goals in each of their last four La Liga appearances on the spin.

Team News

Picking up a red card against Getafe last weekend, Valencia will be without Thierry Correia on Sunday.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might still be struggling to find their top form so far this season, Los Blancos have continued to show their resolve and that should give Zinedine Zidane some solace. Managing to avoid what would have been another Champions League collapse in midweek, the defending La Liga champions secured a hard-fought 3-2 win against Italian giants Inter Milan on Tuesday night. Knowing that three points on the road this weekend could see them reclaim their spot at the top of the table, Madrid do find themselves in the midst of a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions, collecting three victories. While Sunday’s guests might be continuing to show a string of worrying issues at the back, the Whites will be boosted by Karim Benzema’s eye-catching purple patch. Once again finding the net against Inter earlier in the week, the 32-year-old has recorded four goals in his three matchups and will certainly lead Zidane’s charge this weekend. Picking up a 3-0 romp when they last faced off against Valencia back in June, Madrid will be confident of extending their unbeaten run on the road.

Team News

Casemiro and Eden Hazard also returned positive tests for coronavirus on Friday and will therefore not be involved, with Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior now set for starts.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in June, Real Madrid picked up a 3-0 win.
• Los Blancos striker Karim Benzema has four goals in his last three matchups across all competitions.
• Valencia have collected just a single point from their last four La Liga appearances.
• The Bats have also conceded over 1.5 goals in each of those four contests.
• Real Madrid have scored 10 goals in their last four away fixtures across all formats.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid might have struggled to find their best form since opening the New Year, Los Blancos will be confident of extending on their recent unbeaten run. Collecting 10 points over their last four appearances across all competitions, a red-hot Karim Benzema will be relishing a trip to the Mestalla this weekend. Once again finding the net in Madrid’s 3-2 win against Inter Milan on Champions League duties earlier in the week, the 32-year-old has four goals in his last three appearances and will be a stern test for a leaky Valencia defence. With Sunday’s hosts picking up just a single point in their last four La Liga contests and conceding over 1.5 goals in each of those matchups, we’re backing a fruitful night on the road for Benzema and co.

Verdict: Karim Benzema to score anytime

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Unibet