Real Madrid vs Valencia tips and predictions: Back both teams to score in competitive clash
Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid will hope to go top of La Liga when they face a Valencia side in good form at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night (2000 GMT).
Real Madrid are no longer top of La Liga after dropping points against Rayo Vallecano last time out. They cannot afford any more slip-ups if they want to retain their title.
On the other hand, Valencia have been on a decent run of results lately, winning two of their last four games in La Liga.
The team led by Ruben Baraja drew the other two games and now find themselves in the top half of the table.
In their most recent La Liga match, Carlo Ancelotti's team played at the Bernabeu and drew 0-0 against Rayo. They created a lot of chances but were unable to score.
To make matters worse, Ancelotti lost Jude Bellingham to a minor injury, who was rested in the Champions League midweek but is expected to return to the starting lineup.
Before facing Rayo, Real Madrid came from behind to beat Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico, with Bellingham scoring twice.
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League knockout stages with a 3-0 victory over Braga on Wednesday.
Real Madrid are currently in second place in La Liga, with 29 points, two behind the surprise leaders Girona.
Valencia has a start of the season much better than the previous one. The team is in the top half of the table after the first 12 rounds.
In the previous round. they managed a 1-0 win at home against Granada thanks to a goal scored by Pepelu.
Valencia have not lost since October 1, when they lost 1-0 to Betis away from home. They are currently in 8th place in the league table, with 18 points.
Last season, Real Madrid defeated their opponents 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Asensio and Vinicius scoring the goals.
Key stats
- Three of the last five games between Real Madrid and Valencia were won by the team from Madrid.
- Real Madrid are undefeated at the Bernabeu against Valencia since 2008, when they suffered a 2-3 defeat.
- Valencia managed to win the last game between the two teams, 1-0 at home in the end of the previous season.
- There have been at least two goals scored in four of the previous five games between the two teams.
- Both teams are in good form and are undefeated in the last five competitive games.
Suggested bets
Vinicius Junior anytime goalscorer
