Verdict: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to open the New Year with a flurry on Friday night, Real Madrid will travel to the Mestalla when they meet Valencia.
Valencia
Starting with the hosts, while some in Valencia’s camp might have opened up the 2024/25 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge, Los Ches find themselves at the heart of a public crisis. Despite eventually snatching what was a dramatic 2-2 stalemate at home against Alaves last time out, new boss Carlos Corberan has a real job on his hands at the Mestalla. Opening the New Year sat in the relegation zone and four points adrift of La Liga safety, the former West Brom manager faces what will be a monumental opening challenge on Friday night. Putting just 12 points on the board from any of their first 17 appearances, Valencia are also without a win from any of their last five La Liga appearances. Likewise, recording just a single victory at the Mestalla since back on September 21st, the Bats are rightfully installed as a landslide underdog this weekend.
Valencia Team News
While academy graduate Fran Perez might have suffered a first-half knock against Alaves prior to Spain’s festive break, the 22-year-old is expected to be part of Corberan’s maiden squad here. However, dealing with another injury setback last month and not featuring since December 7th, it remains to be seen if Jose Gaya will feature on Friday night.
While former Real Madrid youngster Hugo Duro might have notched just four La Liga strikes this season, the former Spanish U21 international will lead the line against his former club. Arriving over the summer on a season-long loan switch from Aston Villa, Enzo Barrenechea will feature in the middle of the park.
Real Madrid
As for the visitors, while Real Madrid might have shown some signs of an issue on either side of November’s international break, Los Blancos certainly signed off 2024 in the midst of a real flurry. Last seen heading into the festive interval with an action-packed 4-2 victory at home against Sevilla, Carlo Ancelotti’s men are now sat just one-point adrift of reclaiming their spot at the top of the La Liga table. Crowned Intercontinental Cup champions on December 18th as they clinched a routine 3-0 romp against Mexican outfit Pachuca, the former AC Milan boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Despite seeking some much-welcomed defensive stability, Madrid have gained a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Smelling a golden opportunity when they travel to the Mestalla on Friday night, Los Blancos have notched at least a trio of goals in all of their last five matchups across all competitions.
Real Madrid Team News
All still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, the trio of David Alaba, Eder Militao and Daniel Carvajal will miss out this weekend. Linked with a potential January move away from the Bernabeu, 19-year-old Arda Guler will be hoping to get some more minuets under his belt at the Mestalla.
Now finding the net in each of his previous four appearances across all competitions, summer recruit and French skipper Kylian Mbappe will lead the line on Friday night. Forced to serve a one-match suspension against Sevilla prior to the festive break, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior will make a full return here.
Valencia vs Real Madrid Key Factors to Consider
- When Valencia and Real Madrid last met at the Mestalla back in March, Friday’s opponents played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
- However, at the heart of a real crisis, Valencia have won just a pair of their first 17 La Liga appearances so far this season.
- Real Madrid have recorded at least a trio of goals in each of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Likewise, including their Intercontinental Cup success on December 18th, Los Blancos have scored 12 goals in their last four showdowns outside of the Spanish capital.
- French superstar Kylian Mbappe has found the net in each of his last four appearances across all formats.
Conclusion
Signing off 2024 in the midst of a real flurry, Real Madrid will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the festive break. Really finding a clinical edge in the final third, Los Blancos know that they can climb to the top of the La Liga table on Friday night. With Valencia marking their return to action this weekend at the heart of a La Liga relegation scrap, the Bats couldn’t have asked for a tougher challenge here. While Corberan might officially get his tenure underway on Friday, it is no surprise that the defending champions are pencilled in as a landslide contender.
Verdict: Kylian Mbappe to score anytime
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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