Prediction: Valencia vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperately seeking a crucial La Liga response this weekend, Real Madrid will travel to the Mestalla when they meet Valencia on Saturday night.

Valencia

Starting with the hosts, while some in Valencia’s camp might have opened up the new campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, the Bats find themselves at the heart of another public struggle. Marking their return from October’s international break with a worrying 3-2 loss at home against Valencia, the pressure on Ruben Baraja’s shoulders is at a boiling point. Getting Saturday’s return to the Mestalla sat rock-bottom of the La Liga table and facing a major uphill battle this year, Los Ches have rightfully come under a tremendous amount of scrutiny. Getting the new campaign underway with a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona on August 17th, Valencia have put just a single victory on the board from any of their first 11 La Liga appearances this season. Signing off September with a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Real Sociedad, Baraja’s downbeat squad should have another stern challenge on their hands here.

Team News

Shown a straight red card against Las Palmas earlier in the month, Spanish midfielder Pepelu remains on the sidelines. Likewise, despite arriving from Sevilla over the summer, Rafa Mir is still dealing with an injury issue and will play no part this weekend.

However, making a first La Liga start of the season away at Getafe last weekend, influential defender Jose Gaya will keep his spot at left-back. Despite notching just a pair of domestic strikes this season, Hugo Duro will shoulder Valencia’s goalscoring threat.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, slumping to what will long be remembered as an infamous El Clasico hammering in the capital last weekend, Real Madrid are desperately seeking a much-needed boost here. Eventually falling to a 4-0 defeat against arch-rivals Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s men faced what was a public backlash over the past week. While Los Blancos might have mounted a sensational Champions League comeback against German outfit Stuttgart last week as they claimed a 5-2 victory, the former AC Milan boss will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive struggles. Opening October with a shock 1-0 loss away at Lille, Saturday’s guests have failed to record a single clean sheet since returning from the fortnight interval. In fact, the defending Spanish champions have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last nine showdowns across all competitions – a run that stems back to September 14th.

Team News

Undergoing knee surgery during October’s international break, Real Madrid have already confirmed that veteran defender Dani Carvajal will miss the remainder of the season. Likewise, while David Alaba might have played down speculation over an early retirement, the ex-Bayern Munich star remains on the sidelines.

While attacking talisman Vinicius Junior might have been hit with a controversial Ballon d’Or snub on Monday night, the Brazilian superstar will feature here. Notching six La Liga goals since completing a blockbuster move to Madrid over the summer, Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Los Blancos’ charge.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Valencia and Real Madrid last met back on March 2nd, Saturday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the Mestalla.
• Los Blancos have lost just one of their previous seven La Liga showdowns against Valencia.
• Real Madrid have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
• Winning just one of their first 11 La Liga appearances so far this season, Valencia open this weekend’s fixtures sat rock-bottom of the table.
• In fact, continuing on from last season, Valencia have won just one of their previous 18 consecutive La Liga appearances.

Conclusion

Hit with that infamous 4-0 drumming against arch-rivals Barcelona last weekend, Real Madrid know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Opening Saturday’s showdown sat six points adrift in the title chase, Ancelotti’s side will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders. While Los Blancos might be seeking some crucial defensive steel, they should be smelling a golden chance. Meeting a Valencia squad that sit rock-bottom of the La Liga table and with just a single top-flight victory to their name since the middle of April, we are backing an away win on Saturday night.

Verdict: Real Madrid win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 13/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet