Real Madrid welcome Valencia to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Saturday. Los Blancos are maintaining a 100% record at home while the visitors have been unconvincing lately.
Real Madrid are the team to beat in La Liga this season as they currently sit five points clear at the top of the table. They are coming off a 2-1 home victory over Barcelona in the El Clasico last weekend.
Things have been pretty smooth for Real Madrid, who have won nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with a 4-1 victory at Levante among their results. Xabi Alonso's men have also been untouchable at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, winning all seven of their home matches so far.
Things have been tough for Valencia lately as they are winless in their last five La Liga matches. Carlos Corberan's men have lost three of the last four fixtures on this run and suffered a 2-0 home defeat at Villarreal in their previous La Liga outing.
Valencia are also winless in their five La Liga away matches so far, suffering three defeats on this run. However, having earned a 5-0 victory at Maracena in a midweek Copa Del Rey clash, manager Carlos Corberan will look to use that result as a spark.
How the bookies view it: Smooth Sailing for Los Blancos
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/11 by BOYLE Sports to claim the win. An unlikely victory for Valencia is valued at 10/1, while a draw is set at odds of 6/1.
Head to head: Upper hand for Real Madrid
Real Madrid have a 29-11 advantage, with 13 draws in the last 52 matches against Valencia. However, both teams won away from home last season, with the two fixtures ending 2-1.
Players to watch: Mbappe on fire
Kylian Mbappe is showing no signs of slowing down at the moment after scoring his 11th La Liga goal of the season in last weekend's El Clasico. The forward will be the one to watch for Real Madrid (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – valued at 4/9 with BOYLE Sports).
With Hugo Duro doubtful for Valencia, Diego Lopez could be worth keeping an eye on. The forward was on target in the midweek Copa Del Rey win and will be keen to go on a scoring run (Diego Lopez anytime goalscorer – priced at odds of 7/1).
Probable line-ups:
Real Madrid are without David Alaba, Antonio Rudiger and Dani Carvajal, who are all sidelined with injury. Mbappe should lead the line once again, while Jude Bellingham is also set to start in midfield, having impressed since returning from injury.
Mouctar Diakhaby remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Dimitri Folquier and Largie Ramazani are also ruled out for Valencia. Duro is doubtful after picking up a knock in midweek, while Lopez could earn a start after coming off the bench to score.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Bellingham, Guler, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Valencia: Agirrezabala, Correia, Tarrega, Copete, Gaya, Rioja, Pepelu, Guerra, Danjuma, Beltran, Lopez.
Anything else catch the eye?
A 5-0 victory at Kairat Almaty is among Real Madrid’s recent results, while Valencia have also suffered a 6-0 defeat at Barcelona this season. The hosts could be considered in the handicap market (Real Madrid -2 handicap – offered at 13/10).
Three of the last four meetings have produced more second-half goals (Second half most goals – available at 20/23 with BOYLE Sports). Both teams have scored in the last four matches between Real Madrid and Valencia (BTTS YES – valued at odds of 20/21).
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