Overview
Valencia has a record of 5 wins, 8 draws, 9 losses after 22 rounds in La Liga, winning 23 points and ranked 16th. The current gap is very slim. They are 1 point ahead of the relegation zone, but only 3 points behind Osasuna in 9th place. This shows that the ranking may change course after just one round.
Los Che's recent form shows positive signs as they have won 2/3 of their last La Liga matches, successively overcoming Getafe and Espanyol, before losing to Real Betis 1-2 in early February. However, in the middle of the week, they just stopped at the Copa del Rey when they lost to Athletic Bilbao 1-2 in the quarterfinals, causing physical fitness and rhythm to be somewhat affected.
Under Carlos Corberan, Valencia earned 17 points after 11 home matches this season. However, the challenge ahead is very big when they have to welcome Real Madrid - the team with the second best away record in the league with 24 points after 11 matches.
In the opposite direction, Real Madrid will enter the match with a more relaxed mentality in terms of fitness as they do not have to play midweek. Los Blancos just beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in La Liga and are on a 6-game winning streak in the national championship, respectively against Alaves, Sevilla, Real Betis, Levante, Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano.
Coach Alvaro Arbeloa's team is currently ranked second, 4 points behind Barcelona after the opponent defeated Mallorca in the early match.
In terms of head-to-head record, Valencia once lost to Real Madrid 0-4 in the first leg this season and lost 1-2 at home last season.
After this match, Real Madrid still has a tight schedule when they have to meet Real Sociedad, and then be guests at Benfica's stadium in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-offs.
Personnel situation
Valencia will be without Cristian Rivero (suspended) and Mouctar Diakhaby (hamstring injury) in the match against Real Madrid, while Thierry Correia will be assessed for fitness late.
In attack, Hugo Duro is almost certain to be present. The 26-year-old striker has scored 7 goals in La Liga this season and is still Los Che's most important finishing option.
The home team's starting lineup is likely not to have any surprises. Arnaut Danjuma is predicted to play on the left wing, while captain Jose Gaya continues to guard the left flank in the defender position.
On Real Madrid's side, Vinicius Junior was suspended after receiving his fourth yellow card in the victory over Rayo Vallecano. In addition, Jude Bellingham suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for about 3 weeks.
In defense, Eder Militao is still absent, but Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rudiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold all have the opportunity to play. Alexander-Arnold is predicted to start, thereby helping Federico Valverde to be pushed back to the midfielder role.
In attack, in the context of Rodrygo's absence, Brahim Diaz and Franco Mastantuono are two names that may be given a starting spot to support the spearhead above.
Expected lineup:
Dimitrievski, Foulquier, Comert, Copete, Gaya, Rioja, Urginic, Pepelu, Danjuma, Beltran, Duro.
Real Madrid: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras, Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Mastantuono, Mbappe, Brahim.
The match between Valencia and Real Madrid takes place at 3:00 AM on February 9th (Vietnam time).
