Real Madrid vs Valencia
‘It was far from vintage, it wasn’t even pretty, but Real Madrid won’t care one jot.’
They were the words I used to describe Real’s 2-0 victory in this fixture last season when the then reigning European and World champions were on a downward spiral and struggling in La Liga.
Fast forward 18 months and life at the Bernabeu (or, for the moment, the Di Stefano) seems altogether happier.
However, the Los Blancos soap opera is rarely a few defeats away from a crisis which is why Real must continue winning (even if the performances aren’t convincing) if smiles are to be a more regular occurrence on faces both on and off the pitch.
Talking Points
After creating the first half of La Liga highlights on Sunday night to move back within two points of leaders Barcelona at the top of the table, Zinedine Zidane’s side now welcome Valencia knowing victory is once more essential to their hopes of a first league title in three years.
There is already angst caused by the hectic schedule arranged since the league restarted following the Covid-19 pandemic.
For Madrid, the next four rounds of La Liga games will kick off at 10pm Spanish time, something which has annoyed the players, especially when it comes to the away games.
Indeed, between anti-doping control, airport transfers and travelling from the training ground to their homes, Real players won’t get home until well into the night which could have a serious impact on their recovery time, especially as there are only three days between fixtures.
In truth, though, even their title rivals are similarly affected and making their own concerns public will hardly instil fear in the Barcelona camp which might consider Madrid’s protestations more of a weakness.
To add to their grievances, Lucas Vazquez is set to miss this with a calf injury – the Spaniard was forced to sit out Madrid’s win over Eibar on Sunday because of the problem – while Dani Carvajal was unable to train with the rest of his Real teammates on Tuesday after suffering a blow to the ankle in the same game.
While he faces a race against time to face Albert Celades’ men, there is brighter news for the hosts with skipper Sergio Ramos fit and Mariano training again.
As for Gareth Bale and the ‘will-he won’t he’ saga which has lasted all season, now would be an ideal time for him to show his undoubted class because two goals in 28 league games this term (albeit many of those appearances from the substitutes bench) do not do justice to a player of his talent.
Valencia, meanwhile, were hit by an injury crisis just before La Liga was suspended in March and some of their key performers have not yet recovered. Defender Ezequiel Garay was ruled out in February due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, while his partner Gabriel Paulista picked up a muscle strain in training ahead of their 1-1 draw with Levante last Friday. Cristiano Piccini remains unavailable after undergoing surgery on his broken knee cap.
Their boost is the news that midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia will be available after serving a suspension.
Against a side bidding for its own place in Europe next season – and one which has left itself with plenty of work to do to seal a return to the Champions League – this will be an acid test for Zidane’s men in their exciting title race with the Catalan club. It is another game they must win.
History
Valencia have proven to be a tricky opponent for Real in the past and held them to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Mestalla in December.
More recently, Real triumphed against them in the Spanish Super Cup in January with a 3-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Toni Kroos, Isco and Luka Modric.
Two of the oldest clubs in the Spanish top-flight, they have played each other in the league on 169 occasions. Real have won 87, Valencia 45 and the remaining 37 ended in draws.
More recently, in the last 10 meetings between the two clubs, there have been four Real successes, four draws and two Valencia triumphs.
Betting Tip
 |
 |
Real Madrid vs Valencia | Real Madrid First Half Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.36 |
| June 19, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
That Los Che have not won an away La Liga game against Real Madrid since 2008 means you can see why the SBOBET La Liga betting odds strongly back a home win.
On the other side, in the infancy of the restart, Valencia have had more time to recuperate after playing last Friday – 48 hours before Real.
Surprisingly for a team placed in seventh, Valencia have a negative goal difference and have conceded 40 goals this campaign, twice the number Real have let in.
To me, that will prove crucial.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
|
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
